Gratitude Check-In

Take a moment to reflect on your day or week.

1. Who is one person you are grateful for today? (It could be a friend, family member, teacher, or anyone who made a positive impact.)
   
   
   
   
2. What specifically did that person do or say that you are grateful for?
   
   
   
   
3. How did their action make you feel?
   
   
   
   

Discussion Prompts: Expressing Gratitude

Work with your group to discuss the following scenarios. For each scenario, brainstorm at least two different ways to genuinely express gratitude, using the methods we just discussed (verbal, written, acts of service, thoughtful gestures).

Be specific about what you would say or do!

Scenario 1: Friend Support

Your friend spent several hours helping you practice for a big presentation, even though they had their own homework to do. You aced the presentation!

How would you express your gratitude?

Scenario 2: Family Kindness

Your parent/guardian consistently makes sure you have a nutritious breakfast every morning before school, even when they are rushed.

How would you express your gratitude?

Scenario 3: Teacher's Help

Your teacher stayed after class to explain a difficult concept to you, which helped you finally understand the material.

How would you express your gratitude?

Scenario 4: Community Gesture

Someone in your community (e.g., a coach, a librarian, a neighbor) did something small but thoughtful that made your day better (e.g., held a door open, shared a kind word, found a lost item for you).

How would you express your gratitude?

Gratitude Role-Play Activity

Work in pairs or small groups (3 students: 2 role-play, 1 observer). Choose one of the scenarios below. One person will act as the "Giver" of gratitude, and the other will act as the "Receiver." If you have an observer, their job is to notice how the interaction feels and sounds.

After each role-play, discuss:

• How did it feel to express gratitude?
• How did it feel to receive gratitude?
• What made the expression of gratitude feel genuine?

Scenario 1: A Helping Hand

Situation: You were having a really tough day, and a classmate noticed. They offered to help you with a challenging task (e.g., carrying books, explaining a concept you missed, cheering you up). Their help made a big difference.

Role-play: The Giver expresses gratitude to the Receiver for their kind action.

Scenario 2: Unexpected Support

Situation: You were working on a personal project (e.g., preparing for an audition, volunteering, practicing a skill). A family member or mentor took extra time out of their busy schedule to support you in a meaningful way (e.g., drove you somewhere, listened to you practice, gave encouraging advice).

Role-play: The Giver expresses gratitude to the Receiver for their support.

Scenario 3: Everyday Courtesy

Situation: Someone in your school community (e.g., a cafeteria worker, a custodian, a front office staff member, another student you don't know well) went out of their way to be especially kind or helpful in a small but impactful way (e.g., held a door open when your hands were full, found something you lost, gave you a warm greeting).

Role-play: The Giver expresses gratitude to the Receiver for their thoughtful gesture.

Scenario 4: A Teacher's Guidance

Situation: You were struggling with a particular subject, and your teacher provided personalized feedback and guidance that helped you significantly improve your understanding or grade. You feel a strong sense of appreciation for their dedication.

Role-play: The Giver expresses gratitude to the Receiver (teacher) for their guidance and help.

Gratitude Game: Quickfire Review

Instructions: The teacher will read out a question or a prompt. Students can raise their hand or shout out the answer. The goal is to recall key concepts from our lessons on gratitude and relationships quickly!

Questions:

1. Question: What is one simple definition of gratitude?
   Answer: Feeling or showing appreciation for things/people in your life.

2. Question: Name one way to express gratitude verbally.
   Answer: Saying "Thank you for [specific action]" or "I appreciate [specific quality]."

3. Question: Name one way to express gratitude in writing.
   Answer: Writing a thank-you note, sending an appreciative text/email.

4. Question: What is an "act of service" as a way to show gratitude?
   Answer: Doing something helpful for someone, like offering to assist with a chore or task.

5. Question: How does expressing gratitude make the giver feel?
   Answer: Happier, more positive, more connected, less stressed, proud.

6. Question: How does receiving gratitude make the receiver feel?
   Answer: Valued, appreciated, motivated, closer to the giver.

7. Question: True or False: Gratitude only benefits the person receiving thanks.
   Answer: False (it benefits both the giver and receiver, creating a positive cycle).

8. Question: Give an example of a specific reason you might be grateful for a friend.
   Answer: (Open-ended, e.g., "for listening to me," "for making me laugh," "for helping with homework.")

9. Question: Why is it important to be specific when expressing gratitude?
   Answer: It makes the thanks feel more genuine and shows you truly noticed their action.

10. Question: What is one long-term benefit of consistently practicing gratitude?
    Answer: Increased happiness, stronger relationships, greater resilience, better physical health, optimism.

11. Question: If someone helps you with a difficult school project, what is one non-verbal way you could show your appreciation?
    Answer: Offering to help them with something later, bringing them a small treat, or simply making eye contact and giving a sincere smile.

12. Question: What is the "gratitude effect" or "positive cycle of gratitude"?
    Answer: When expressing gratitude makes both people feel good, encouraging more kindness and strengthening the relationship.

My Gratitude Project: Cultivating a Grateful Life

Project Goal:

To develop and sustain a personal gratitude practice that enhances your well-being and strengthens your relationships over time.

Project Overview:

Over the next week (or choose a duration set by your teacher), you will actively engage in a gratitude practice of your choice. You will document your experience and reflect on its impact on yourself and your relationships. Finally, you will share your journey with the class.

Part 1: Choose Your Gratitude Practice (Initial Phase: 1-2 days to set up)

Select one of the following methods (or propose an alternative with teacher approval):

Option A: Gratitude Journal

• How: Each day, write down 3-5 specific things you are grateful for. They can be big or small, related to people, experiences, or even simple observations.
• Focus: Be specific about why you are grateful for each item.

Option B: Thank-You Letter/Note Campaign

• How: Identify at least 3-5 different people in your life (friends, family, teachers, mentors, community members) whom you appreciate. Over the course of the project, write and deliver a personalized thank-you letter or note to each person, expressing specific reasons for your gratitude.
• Focus: The act of giving and the recipient's reaction.

Option C: Gratitude Jar

• How: Decorate a jar. Each day, write down one thing you are grateful for on a small slip of paper and put it in the jar. At the end of the project, you will read through your collection.
• Focus: Accumulating positive reflections.

Option D: Acts of Kindness Challenge (with gratitude)

• How: Each day, perform at least one intentional act of kindness for someone, and observe how it connects to gratitude (either you are grateful for the opportunity, or you are expressing thanks through your action).
• Focus: Actions speak louder than words, and often inspire gratitude.

Part 2: Engage in Your Practice (Main Phase: 5-7 days of active practice)

Consistently engage with your chosen gratitude practice daily for the designated period. Keep your goal in mind: to cultivate gratitude and observe its effects.

Part 3: Reflect and Document (Ongoing & Final Phase)

Throughout your project, keep notes (mental or written) on:

• How you feel when you practice gratitude.
• How others react (if applicable).
• Any noticeable changes in your perspective or relationships.

Part 4: Share Your Gratitude Journey (Presentation/Sharing: 5 minutes per student)

Prepare a short presentation (e.g., summary, visual display, short speech, digital presentation) to share with the class. Your presentation should include:

1. Your Chosen Practice: Which method did you choose and why?
2. Your Experience: Describe your daily engagement. What was easy? What was challenging?
3. Key Learnings: What did you discover about gratitude, yourself, and your relationships?
4. Impact: How did this practice affect your feelings, your interactions, and your overall outlook?
5. Future Plans: Do you plan to continue this practice? Why or why not?

Assessment (Rubric will be provided separately)

Your project will be assessed based on:

• Engagement with your chosen practice.
• Thoughtfulness of your reflections.
• Clarity and completeness of your presentation.
• Evidence of understanding the connection between gratitude and relationships.

Gratitude Reflection Worksheet

As we conclude our lessons on gratitude and relationships, take some time to reflect on your learning journey.

1. What is the most important thing you learned about gratitude during these lessons?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Describe one specific way you plan to express gratitude in your relationships (with friends, family, or others) in the coming week.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. How do you think consistently practicing gratitude could change your outlook on life or your relationships?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Briefly brainstorm one idea for your My Gratitude Project Guide. What kind of practice are you considering, and why?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = not at all, 5 = very much), how confident do you feel now about incorporating gratitude into your daily life and relationships?