Teacher's Guide Script: Gratitude: More Than Thanks

Introduction & Warm-Up (5 minutes)

(Teacher says) "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to explore a topic that has a huge impact on our lives, but one we don't always actively think about: gratitude. What comes to mind when you hear that word?"

(Teacher says) "To get us started, I'm going to hand out a quick Gratitude Warm-Up. Take about 2-3 minutes to reflect and write down your thoughts. There are no right or wrong answers here, just your honest reflections."

(Distribute Gratitude Warm-Up. Allow students to complete.)

(Teacher says) "Okay, let's hear from a few of you. Would anyone like to share what they wrote for Question 1: 'What does 'gratitude' mean to you in your own words?'"

(Teacher says) "And for Question 2: 'Think about a time you felt truly grateful. What happened, and how did it feel?'"

(Teacher says) "Thank you for sharing. It's clear we all have some understanding and experience with this feeling. Today, we're going to dive deeper into why gratitude is so important and how we can bring more of it into our lives."

Exploring Gratitude (Slide Deck & Discussion) (15 minutes)

(Display Relevance of Gratitude Slide Deck - Slide 1: "Gratitude: More Than Just Thanks")

(Teacher says) "As our slide says, gratitude is more than just saying 'thanks.' It's a fundamental aspect of human experience, a powerful emotion and a profound practice. It's about recognizing and appreciating the good things, big or small, in our lives. It's a way of seeing the world."

(Display Relevance of Gratitude Slide Deck - Slide 2: "Why Focus on Gratitude?")

(Teacher says) "Now, you might be thinking, 'Why do we need a whole lesson on this? Isn't it obvious?' But truly integrating gratitude into our lives isn't always easy. Life can be challenging, stressful, and sometimes it feels hard to find anything to be grateful for. What are some situations that make it difficult to feel grateful?"

(Facilitate a brief discussion. Use Gratitude Discussion Prompts if needed. Allow 1-2 minutes for responses.)

(Teacher says) "Exactly. And that's precisely why focusing on it is so powerful. It's a practice, like building a muscle. The more you consciously practice it, the stronger your 'gratitude muscle' becomes, and the easier it is to find the good, even when things are tough."

(Display Relevance of Gratitude Slide Deck - Slide 3: "The Benefits of Being Grateful")

(Teacher says) "The research on gratitude is pretty amazing. It shows that practicing gratitude has a ton of benefits for us, both mentally and physically. Let's look at a few..."

(Read through the benefits on the slide. For each, ask a brief question.)

• "Increased Happiness: Have you ever noticed how focusing on what you appreciate can instantly lift your mood?"
• "Improved Health: It might sound strange, but gratitude can actually lead to better sleep and less stress. Why do you think that might be?"

• "Stronger Relationships: When you appreciate others, how does that change your interactions with them?"

• "Greater Resilience: This is a big one. How might gratitude help you bounce back from difficulties?"

• "Reduced Negative Emotions: It's hard to feel envious or resentful when you're genuinely focused on what you have. Can anyone relate to this?"

(Display Relevance of Gratitude Slide Deck - Slide 4: "Cultivating Gratitude: How To")

(Teacher says) "So, how do we actually do this? How do we cultivate more gratitude in our daily lives? Here are some simple, practical steps."

(Go through each point on the slide.)

• "Gratitude Journal: This is a classic. Spending a few minutes each day to write down things you're grateful for. They don't have to be huge things!"
• "Express Thanks: Directly telling people you appreciate them can make a huge difference, not just for them, but for you too."
• "Mindful Moments: Taking a moment to notice the small, everyday joys – a good song, a sunny day, a delicious meal."
• "Shift Your Perspective: When something goes wrong, try to find the 'lesson' or the 'silver lining.' It's not about ignoring problems, but about finding a more constructive way to view them."
• "Use Affirmations: Simple statements like 'I am grateful for...' can help rewire your brain over time."

Activity: Gratitude Practice (5 minutes)

(Display Relevance of Gratitude Slide Deck - Slide 5: "Putting Gratitude Into Practice Today")

(Teacher says) "Let's try one of these practices right now. On a piece of paper or in your notebook, I want you to spend the next three minutes doing two things:

1. Write down three new things you are grateful for today. Try to think of things you haven't thought of before, or things you might easily overlook.
2. Think of one person you want to express gratitude to this week and briefly jot down how you might do it. It could be a text, a quick conversation, or even just a thoughtful gesture."

(Allow students time to write. Circulate and offer quiet encouragement.)

Conclusion & Cool-Down (5 minutes)

(Display Relevance of Gratitude Slide Deck - Slide 6: "Your Gratitude Journey Starts Now!")

(Teacher says) "Time flies when you're reflecting on good things! We've covered a lot about gratitude today. Remember, it's not about ignoring challenges, but about choosing to focus on the good, which can profoundly impact your well-being, health, and relationships."

(Teacher says) "To wrap up our lesson, I have one final Daily Gratitude Cool-Down for you to complete. This is your exit ticket for today. Please fill it out thoughtfully and turn it in as you leave."

(Distribute Daily Gratitude Cool-Down. Collect them as students exit.)

(Teacher says) "Thank you all for your thoughtful participation today. I hope you carry a little more gratitude with you throughout your day!"

Gratitude Warm-Up

Instructions: Take a few minutes to reflect on the questions below. There are no right or wrong answers.

1. What does "gratitude" mean to you in your own words?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Think about a time you felt truly grateful. What happened, and how did it feel?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Name one small, everyday thing you often take for granted but could be grateful for.
   
   
   
   

Gratitude Discussion Prompts

Use these prompts to facilitate deeper conversation during the lesson, especially after presenting the slide deck on the benefits and cultivation of gratitude.

Opening the Discussion

• "Beyond simply saying 'thank you,' what does true gratitude look like or feel like?"
• "Can you recall a specific instance when expressing gratitude, or receiving it, significantly impacted your day or relationship?"

Exploring Challenges and Benefits

• "What are some common barriers that prevent people (including yourselves) from practicing gratitude more often? (e.g., stress, busyness, negativity bias)"
• "The slide mentioned increased happiness and improved health. How do you think a grateful mindset could physically impact someone?"
• "In what ways can gratitude strengthen our connections with friends, family, or even classmates and teachers?"
• "Is it always easy to be grateful? What if you're going through a really tough time? How might gratitude still play a role?"

Practical Application

• "Which of the 'Cultivating Gratitude' strategies on the slide (journaling, expressing thanks, mindful moments, shifting perspective, affirmations) seems most achievable for you to try this week? Why?"
• "How might cultivating gratitude change your outlook on school, homework, or future challenges?"
• "What's one small, specific action you could take today to practice gratitude, that you haven't considered before?"

Reflecting on Impact

• "If everyone in our school adopted a more grateful mindset, what kind of changes do you think we would see in the overall atmosphere?"
• "How can we encourage a culture of gratitude in our everyday interactions, both online and offline?"

Daily Gratitude Cool-Down

Instructions: Please answer the following questions to reflect on today's lesson.

1. What is one new idea about gratitude that you learned or thought about today?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Name one specific thing you are grateful for right now.
   
   
   
   

3. How might you try to incorporate a gratitude practice into your routine this week? (Be specific!)