Lesson Plan
Gratitude's Garden Lesson Plan
Students will understand the positive impact of gratitude on mental health and identify personal sources of gratitude, while also exploring various methods for expressing thankfulness.
Cultivating gratitude has been shown to improve mental well-being, increase positive emotions, and build stronger relationships. This lesson helps students develop these essential life skills.
Audience
Middle School Students
Time
45-55 minutes
Approach
Through discussion, reflection, and creative activities.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Gratitude's Garden Slide Deck, My Gratitude Journal Worksheet, and Art supplies (optional, e.g., colored pencils, markers)
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Gratitude's Garden Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print or prepare for digital distribution the My Gratitude Journal Worksheet.
- Gather any optional art supplies if you plan to use them for the journaling activity.
- Ensure whiteboard or projector is ready for use.
- Review all generated materials as needed.
Step 1
Introduction: What is Gratitude?
10 minutes
- Begin with a warm welcome and introduce the topic: gratitude.
- Use the Gratitude's Garden Slide Deck to guide the discussion.
- Ask students: "What comes to mind when you hear the word 'gratitude'?" (Slide 2)
- Facilitate a brief class discussion, encouraging students to share their initial thoughts.
- Explain the definition of gratitude and its importance for well-being. (Slide 3-4)
Step 2
Exploring Personal Gratitude
15 minutes
- Transition to identifying personal sources of gratitude. (Slide 5)
- Distribute the My Gratitude Journal Worksheet.
- Guide students through the first section of the worksheet, prompting them to list things they are grateful for in different categories (e.g., family, friends, nature, simple pleasures).
- Encourage quiet reflection and individual work.
- After a few minutes, invite students to share one or two items from their list with a partner or in a small group. (Slide 6)
Step 3
Ways to Express Gratitude
10 minutes
- Bring the class back together and discuss different ways to express gratitude. (Slide 7)
- Ask students for ideas: "How can we show someone we're grateful for them or for something they did?"
- Introduce concrete examples like thank-you notes, acts of service, verbal appreciation, or a thoughtful gesture. (Slide 8)
- Have students complete the second section of their My Gratitude Journal Worksheet, brainstorming ways they could express gratitude to someone.
Step 4
Share and Reflect
10 minutes
- Invite a few volunteers to share their ideas for expressing gratitude from their worksheet.
- Facilitate a brief discussion on how practicing gratitude can make a difference in their daily lives and the lives of others. (Slide 9)
- Conclude by emphasizing that gratitude is a practice that can be cultivated over time, like tending a garden. (Slide 10)
- Assign optional homework: Encourage students to practice one act of gratitude before the next class.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Gratitude's Garden: Cultivating Thankfulness
A journey to a happier you!
Welcome students and set a positive tone for the lesson. Introduce the topic of gratitude and explain that it's about recognizing the good things in our lives.
What is Gratitude?
What comes to mind when you hear this word?
Ask students to share their initial thoughts and associations with the word 'gratitude.' Encourage a variety of responses and create a safe space for sharing.
Gratitude is...
- A feeling of appreciation or thankfulness.
- Recognizing the good in your life, big or small.
- A positive emotion that can improve your well-being.
Provide a clear, simple definition of gratitude. Emphasize that it's more than just saying 'thank you' – it's a feeling and an attitude.
Why is Gratitude Important?
- Boosts your happiness!
- Reduces stress and negative emotions.
- Helps you appreciate what you have.
- Improves relationships with others.
Explain why practicing gratitude is beneficial. Connect it to mental health and personal happiness. Keep it relatable to their experiences.
Your Gratitude Garden
What are you grateful for?
Let's start planting some seeds of thankfulness!
Transition to the personal reflection activity. Explain that they will be thinking about things they are personally grateful for. Introduce the worksheet.
Share Your Seeds!
Turn to a partner or small group.
Share one or two things you wrote down in your journal.
Listen respectfully to others.
Encourage students to share with a partner or in small groups after they've had some individual time to write. Remind them to be respectful of each other's feelings.
Expressing Gratitude
It's great to feel grateful, but how can we show it?
Open up a discussion about how they can actively express gratitude. Brainstorm ideas as a class before directing them back to the worksheet.
Ways to Show Thankfulness
- Write a thank-you note.
- Give a genuine compliment.
- Help someone with a chore or task.
- Say "thank you" with sincerity.
- Do a thoughtful gesture.
Provide concrete examples of expressing gratitude. Encourage them to think beyond just saying 'thank you.'
The Power of Thanks
How does expressing gratitude make you feel?
How do you think it makes others feel?
Facilitate a short discussion about the impact of expressing gratitude on themselves and others. Reinforce the positive effects.
Keep Your Garden Growing!
Gratitude is like a garden: the more you tend to it, the more it grows!
Make gratitude a daily habit!
Conclude the lesson by summarizing the main points and reinforcing that gratitude is a continuous practice. Encourage them to continue their gratitude practice.
Worksheet
My Gratitude Journal: Cultivating Thankfulness
Part 1: My Gratitude Seeds
Take a moment to reflect on all the good things in your life. What are you grateful for? Think about different areas and list at least 2-3 items for each category, or more if you can!
Family & Friends:
School & Learning:
Nature & Environment:
Fun & Hobbies:
Simple Pleasures (e.g., a warm drink, a sunny day, a good song):
j
j
Part 2: Spreading Thankfulness
Now that you've identified some things you're grateful for, how can you express that gratitude to others? Choose one person or thing you listed above and brainstorm at least three different ways you could show your appreciation.
Person/Thing I am grateful for: ________________________________________
Ways I can express my gratitude:
Part 3: Daily Gratitude Practice
What is one small thing you can do each day this week to practice gratitude?
Activity
Gratitude Art & Action Activity
Objective
Students will creatively express something they are grateful for or an action they will take to show gratitude.
Materials
- My Gratitude Journal Worksheet (completed Part 1 and 2)
- Drawing paper or blank cards
- Art supplies (colored pencils, markers, crayons)
- Optional: Stickers, glitter, other decorative items
Instructions
- Review Your Journal (5 minutes): Look back at your My Gratitude Journal Worksheet, specifically at the things you listed in "Part 1: My Gratitude Seeds" and the actions you brainstormed in "Part 2: Spreading Thankfulness."
- Choose Your Inspiration (5 minutes): Choose one thing you are deeply grateful for OR one specific action you plan to take to express gratitude to someone.
- Creative Expression (15-20 minutes):
- Using your drawing paper or card and art supplies, create a visual representation of your chosen gratitude. This could be:
- A drawing or a symbol of the thing you are grateful for (e.g., a sun for warmth, a tree for nature, a handshake for friendship).
- A depiction of you performing the gratitude action you planned (e.g., drawing yourself writing a note, helping a family member).
- Abstract art that represents the feeling of gratitude.
- You can also write a short phrase or keyword on your artwork related to your gratitude.
- Using your drawing paper or card and art supplies, create a visual representation of your chosen gratitude. This could be:
- Share & Display (10 minutes):
- Once your artwork is complete, you will have the opportunity to share it with a partner or a small group.
- Explain what you chose to draw/create and why it represents gratitude to you or what action you are committing to.
- We will then create a
Activity
Gratitude Art & Action Activity
Objective
Students will creatively express something they are grateful for or an action they will take to show gratitude.
Materials
- My Gratitude Journal Worksheet (completed Part 1 and 2)
- Drawing paper or blank cards
- Art supplies (colored pencils, markers, crayons)
- Optional: Stickers, glitter, other decorative items
Instructions
- Review Your Journal (5 minutes): Look back at your My Gratitude Journal Worksheet, specifically at the things you listed in "Part 1: My Gratitude Seeds" and the actions you brainstormed in "Part 2: Spreading Thankfulness."
- Choose Your Inspiration (5 minutes): Choose one thing you are deeply grateful for OR one specific action you plan to take to express gratitude to someone.
- Creative Expression (15-20 minutes):
- Using your drawing paper or card and art supplies, create a visual representation of your chosen gratitude. This could be:
- A drawing or a symbol of the thing you are grateful for (e.g., a sun for warmth, a tree for nature, a handshake for friendship).
- A depiction of you performing the gratitude action you planned (e.g., drawing yourself writing a note, helping a family member).
- Abstract art that represents the feeling of gratitude.
- You can also write a short phrase or keyword on your artwork related to your gratitude.
- Using your drawing paper or card and art supplies, create a visual representation of your chosen gratitude. This could be:
- Share & Display (10 minutes):
- Once your artwork is complete, you will have the opportunity to share it with a partner or a small group.
- Explain what you chose to draw/create and why it represents gratitude to you or what action you are committing to.
- We will then create a