Gratitude Garden Activity Guide

Objective

To create a visual representation of personal gratitude that contributes to a class-wide display, fostering a sense of collective thankfulness.

Materials

• Gratitude Leaves Worksheet (one per student)
• Scissors
• Crayons, colored pencils, or markers
• Glue or tape
• Large classroom display area (e.g., a wall, bulletin board, or a cutout tree trunk)

Instructions

Step 1: Reflect and Write/Draw (10 minutes)

1. Distribute the Gratitude Leaves Worksheet to each student.
2. Explain to students that they will think about all the things, people, and experiences they are thankful for.
3. On each leaf shape provided on the worksheet, students should either:
   • Draw a picture of something they are grateful for.
   • Write a word or short phrase describing something they are grateful for.
4. Encourage students to think broadly – it could be family, friends, pets, school, a favorite toy, a sunny day, a good book, a kind act, etc.

Step 2: Decorate Your Leaves (5 minutes)

1. Once students have filled their leaves with expressions of gratitude, have them color and decorate their leaves using crayons, colored pencils, or markers.
2. Encourage them to make their leaves colorful and unique!

Step 3: Cut Out Your Leaves (5 minutes)

1. Carefully cut out each of the decorated gratitude leaves from the worksheet.
2. Remind students to take their time and cut neatly along the lines.

Step 4: Contribute to the Class Gratitude Garden (15 minutes)

1. Gather the students around the designated class display area (e.g., a large cutout tree trunk on a wall, or a section of a bulletin board labeled "Our Gratitude Garden").
2. One by one, invite students to come up and share one thing they wrote or drew on their leaf (optional, but encouraged for sharing).
3. After sharing, have each student use glue or tape to attach their leaf to the class garden display.
4. As the garden grows, facilitate a brief discussion:
   • "How does it feel to see our garden filling up with thankfulness?"
   • "What patterns do you notice in what people are grateful for?"
   • "How can we help our Gratitude Garden grow even more each day?"

Extension Ideas

• Gratitude Journal: Encourage students to start a personal gratitude journal, writing down 3 things they are grateful for each evening.
• Gratitude Rocks: Decorate small rocks with words or pictures of gratitude and place them around the classroom or school garden as a reminder.
• Thank You Notes: Have students write small thank you notes to people they are grateful for (e.g., a janitor, school librarian, parent, or friend).

Gratitude Leaves Worksheet

My Gratitude Garden

Name: ____________________________ Date: ___________________

Instructions: Think about all the things, people, and experiences you are thankful for. On each leaf below, draw a picture or write a word/short phrase about something you are grateful for. Then, color your leaves!

Leaf 1

Leaf 2

Leaf 3

Leaf 4

Leaf 5

Leaf 6

Example of a leaf shape for reference (students will fill in their own, on their worksheet this will be the outline):

    /\ 
   /  \
  /____\
 /      \
|        |
 \      /
  \    /
   \  /
    \/

Our Class Gratitude Garden Project Guide

Project Title: Our Class Gratitude Garden

Objective

Students will collaboratively create a visual 'Gratitude Garden' using their individual 'gratitude leaves' to represent and celebrate the many positive aspects of their lives and classroom community. This project aims to reinforce the concept of gratitude, foster positive emotional well-being, and strengthen class relationships.

Project Overview

Building on our discussion and individual reflections, the class will come together to create a beautiful Gratitude Garden. Each student's unique 'gratitude leaf' will become a part of our shared garden, symbolizing our collective appreciation for the good things in our lives.

Materials Needed

• Completed Gratitude Leaves Worksheet (one per student)
• Scissors
• Glue or tape
• Large paper or bulletin board for the garden background (e.g., green for grass, blue for sky, brown for a tree trunk)
• Optional: Pre-cut tree trunk, branches, or flower stems to attach leaves to.
• Optional: Markers, crayons, or paint for decorating the garden background.

Instructions

Phase 1: Individual Reflection (Completed via Gratitude Leaves Worksheet)

• Students will have already identified and illustrated/written things they are grateful for on their individual leaves using the Gratitude Leaves Worksheet.

Phase 2: Preparing the Garden Space (Teacher-led setup, 5-10 minutes prior to student activity)

1. Prepare a large display area: Choose a prominent wall or bulletin board in the classroom.
2. Create a background: Cover the area with paper to create a garden scene. This could be a large brown tree trunk with branches drawn on, or a green grassy field with blue sky.
3. Label the Garden: Write "Our Class Gratitude Garden" prominently at the top of the display.

Phase 3: Building the Garden (20-25 minutes)

1. Cut out leaves: Have students carefully cut out their decorated gratitude leaves from the Gratitude Leaves Worksheet.
2. Add to the garden: Invite students, one or two at a time, to come up to the display area.
   • Before attaching their leaf, ask each student to briefly share one thing they are grateful for with the class (optional, but encouraged to foster sharing).
   • Have them use glue or tape to attach their leaf to the prepared background, creating a vibrant garden.
3. Arrange the leaves: Encourage students to place their leaves creatively on the branches of the tree, or as flowers in the grass, ensuring the garden looks full and colorful.

Phase 4: Reflecting on Our Garden (5-10 minutes)

1. Once all leaves are attached, gather students around the completed Gratitude Garden.
2. Facilitate a class discussion:
   • "Look at our beautiful Gratitude Garden! How does it feel to see all the wonderful things we are thankful for?"
   • "What patterns do you notice in what our classmates are grateful for? Are there common themes?"
   • "How do you think our Gratitude Garden might make our classroom a happier place?"
   • "How can we continue to 'grow' our gratitude every day, both individually and as a class?"

Assessment

• Participation: Students' engagement in creating their gratitude leaves and contributing to the class garden.
• Expression of Gratitude: The thoughtfulness and variety of items students identify on their Gratitude Leaves Worksheet.
• Discussion: Students' participation in the reflection discussion, demonstrating an understanding of gratitude's impact.

Extension Ideas

• Gratitude Jar: Keep a jar in the classroom where students can write down things they are grateful for throughout the week and share them periodically.
• Gratitude Walk: Take a walk around the school or school grounds and have students point out things they are grateful for (e.g., shade trees, clean hallways, friendly staff).
• Gratitude Letters: As a follow-up, students could write simple thank-you letters to individuals they appreciate, such as a school helper, a family member, or a friend.