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Gratitude Grows!

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Lesson Plan

Gratitude Grows!

Students will define gratitude and identify at least two strategies for incorporating gratitude into their daily routines to enhance personal well-being.

Practicing gratitude can significantly improve overall mental and emotional health, reduce stress, and foster more positive relationships. Learning to appreciate what we have helps us navigate challenges with a more resilient mindset.

Audience

Middle School Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and a creative activity.

Materials

Small whiteboards or paper, Markers or pens, and Worksheet: My Gratitude Jar Brainstorm

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Review the Gratitude Grows! Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
    - Print copies of the My Gratitude Jar Brainstorm for each student.
    - Gather small whiteboards or paper and markers for each student.
    - Ensure a comfortable and engaging learning environment is set up.

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up: What is Gratitude?

5 minutes

  1. Welcome students and introduce the topic: gratitude.
    2. Ask: "What comes to mind when you hear the word 'gratitude'?" Allow a few students to share.
    3. Define Gratitude: Explain that gratitude is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Use Gratitude Grows! Slide Deck - Slide 1 and Gratitude Grows! Slide Deck - Slide 2.
    4. Brief Discussion: "Why do you think feeling thankful is important?"

Step 2

Exploring Benefits of Gratitude

7 minutes

  1. Present Benefits: Use Gratitude Grows! Slide Deck - Slide 3 to briefly discuss the positive impacts of gratitude (e.g., happier, less stress, better sleep, stronger friendships).
    2. Personal Connection: Ask students to think about a time someone showed them kindness or something good happened that made them feel thankful. "How did that feel?" (Quick share out or turn-and-talk).
    3. Challenge Negative Thinking: Discuss how gratitude can help shift focus from what's going wrong to what's going right. Use Gratitude Grows! Slide Deck - Slide 4.

Step 3

Activity: My Gratitude Jar Brainstorm

10 minutes

  1. Introduce the 'Gratitude Jar' Concept: Explain that a gratitude jar is a place to collect notes about things you're grateful for. Use Gratitude Grows! Slide Deck - Slide 5.
    2. Distribute Worksheets: Hand out the My Gratitude Jar Brainstorm and pens/markers.
    3. Brainstorm & Write: Guide students to brainstorm things they are grateful for. Encourage them to think broadly (people, experiences, simple pleasures, skills, etc.). Have them write down 3-5 things on their worksheet.
    4. Share (Optional): Invite students to share one thing they wrote down, if they feel comfortable. Emphasize that no item is too small.

Step 4

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

8 minutes

  1. Review: Briefly recap what gratitude is and why it's beneficial. Use Gratitude Grows! Slide Deck - Slide 6.
    2. Challenge: Encourage students to start their own gratitude jar or keep a gratitude journal this week. "How might you make gratitude a regular part of your day?"
    3. Cool Down: Ask students to think of one word that describes how they feel about gratitude after this session.
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Slide Deck

Welcome to Gratitude Grows!

Today, we're going to explore a powerful feeling: GRATITUDE!

Get ready to discover how being thankful can make a big difference in your life.

(Think: What does 'gratitude' mean to you?)

Welcome students and introduce the concept of gratitude. Ask them what comes to mind when they hear the word. This is a warm-up to gauge their initial understanding.

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is:

  • The quality of being thankful.
  • Readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
  • Noticing and appreciating the good things in your life.

It's about THANKFULNESS!

Provide a clear definition of gratitude. Emphasize that it's about appreciation and acknowledging kindness, both big and small.

Why Does Gratitude Matter?

Feeling and expressing gratitude can:

  • Make you happier
  • Reduce stress
  • Improve sleep
  • Strengthen friendships and family bonds
  • Increase positive emotions
  • Help you feel more resilient!

Discuss the various benefits of practicing gratitude. Encourage students to think about how these benefits might apply to their own lives.

Shifting Your Perspective

Sometimes life feels tough. It's easy to focus on what's going wrong.

Gratitude helps us:

  • See the good, even on hard days.
  • Appreciate what we do have.
  • Turn negative thoughts into more positive ones.

It helps us notice the sunny spots!

Explain how gratitude can help shift perspective, especially when facing challenges. It's not about ignoring problems, but balancing focus.

Activity: My Gratitude Jar Brainstorm

A 'Gratitude Jar' is a place where you collect notes about all the things you are thankful for.

  • Who are you grateful for?
  • What experiences make you happy?
  • Where do you feel most thankful?
  • When do good things happen?
  • Why are these things important to you?

Let's brainstorm some ideas together!

Introduce the 'Gratitude Jar' activity. Explain that they will be brainstorming ideas for their own jars.

Keep Gratitude Growing!

Remember, gratitude is a powerful tool for happiness.

Your Challenge:

  • Start your own Gratitude Jar.
  • Keep a gratitude journal.
  • Tell someone "thank you" today.

How will you keep gratitude growing?

Conclude the session, recap the key takeaways, and give a challenge for them to continue practicing gratitude.

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Worksheet

My Gratitude Jar Brainstorm

Name: ____________________________

Take a moment to think about all the good things in your life. What are you grateful for? No idea is too small!

Write down at least 5 things you are thankful for today. These could be people, experiences, objects, or even simple feelings.

I am grateful for...


































  5. ### Bonus: One thing I am grateful for that might surprise others is...













How does thinking about these things make you feel?







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