Lesson Plan
Gratitude: Unlocking Joy!
Students will define gratitude, identify things they are grateful for, and explore ways to express appreciation in their daily lives to foster a more positive mindset.
Practicing gratitude can significantly improve emotional well-being, reduce stress, and strengthen relationships. This lesson helps students develop a positive outlook and build resilience, skills crucial for navigating middle school and beyond.
Audience
7th Grade Middle School Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, guided reflection, and a creative activity to practice expressing gratitude.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Gratitude Unlocking Joy Slide Deck, Markers or pens, Small slips of paper or sticky notes, and Collection jar or box
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Gratitude Unlocking Joy Slide Deck and lesson plan content.
- Prepare slips of paper or sticky notes for the activity.
- Set up a collection jar or box for the 'Gratitude Jar' activity.
- Ensure whiteboard or projector is ready for use.
- Review the Gratitude Unlocking Joy Script as needed.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What's Good?
5 minutes
- Begin with a quick Warm Up: What's Good? activity.
- Ask students: "What's one good thing that happened to you recently, no matter how small?"
- Encourage a few students to share their responses aloud.
- Transition by explaining that noticing these 'good things' is the first step towards gratitude.
Step 2
Introduction to Gratitude
5 minutes
- Use the Gratitude Unlocking Joy Slide Deck to define gratitude.
- Facilitate a brief discussion using prompts: "What does gratitude mean to you?" or "When have you felt grateful?"
- Emphasize that gratitude isn't just about big things, but also the small, everyday moments.
Step 3
Gratitude Brainstorm & Share
10 minutes
- Ask students to individually brainstorm 3-5 things they are grateful for and jot them down on their slips of paper.
- These can be people, experiences, objects, or even abstract concepts like health or sunshine.
- Invite students to share one item from their list with a partner or small group.
- Optionally, have a few volunteers share with the whole class. Use the Gratitude Unlocking Joy Script for prompts.
Step 4
The Gratitude Jar Activity
5 minutes
- Introduce the 'Gratitude Jar' concept. Explain that throughout the week, students can write down things they are grateful for and add them to the jar.
- Model by writing one thing you are grateful for and placing it in the jar.
- Encourage students to write one thing they are grateful for now and add it to the jar.
- Explain that the jar can be opened and read from periodically to remind everyone of the good things in their lives.
Step 5
Cool-Down: One Word Gratitude
5 minutes
- Conclude with the Cool Down: One Word Gratitude activity.
- Ask students to think of one word that describes how they feel about gratitude after this lesson.
- Have them share their word with a neighbor or write it on an exit ticket.
- Briefly recap the benefits of gratitude and encourage continued practice.
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Slide Deck
Gratitude: Unlocking Joy!
How can appreciating the good stuff make you happier?
Welcome students and introduce the day's topic with enthusiasm. Explain that today we're going to talk about something really powerful: gratitude.
What is Gratitude?
– It's noticing and appreciating the good things.
– It's feeling thankful for people, experiences, and even small moments.
– It's about recognizing the positive around you.
Explain that gratitude is about noticing and appreciating the good things in our lives, big or small. It's about being thankful. Ask students for initial thoughts or experiences with gratitude.
Why Does Gratitude Matter?
– It makes you feel happier and more positive!
– It helps you appreciate what you have.
– It can reduce stress and sadness.
– It strengthens your relationships with others.
Discuss how practicing gratitude can change our outlook. Ask students if they can think of times when focusing on good things helped them feel better.
Your Gratitude List
What are YOU grateful for?
Think about:
– People in your life
– Things you own
– Experiences you've had
– Nature or the world around you
– Your own strengths or talents
Transition to the brainstorming activity. Explain that they'll be thinking about things they are personally grateful for. Give examples if needed (e.g., a pet, a favorite song, a sunny day, a good friend).
The Gratitude Jar
– A special place to collect all the good things!
– Write down what you're grateful for and add it to the jar.
– We can look back at these whenever we need a reminder of joy.
Introduce the 'Gratitude Jar' concept. Explain its purpose: to collect and cherish expressions of gratitude over time. Encourage students to contribute to it.
Keep the Gratitude Going!
– Make gratitude a habit.
– Notice the small joys every day.
– Share your appreciation with others.
– It's a key to a happier you!
Conclude by reiterating the power of gratitude and encouraging them to keep practicing it. Thank them for their participation.
Script
Gratitude: Unlocking Joy! - Teacher Script
Warm-Up: What's Good? (5 minutes)
"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! To kick things off today, let's do a quick warm-up called 'What's Good?' I want you to think for a moment about one good thing that happened to you recently. It doesn't have to be anything huge – it could be something really small, like finding your favorite socks, a yummy breakfast, or hearing a great song. Just one good thing. Take about 30 seconds to think."
"Alright, who would like to share their 'good thing' with the class? Don't be shy!"
(Allow 2-3 students to share. Affirm their responses.)
"Excellent! Noticing these 'good things,' no matter how small, is actually the very first step towards what we're going to talk about today: gratitude."
Introduction to Gratitude (5 minutes)
"(Transition to Gratitude Unlocking Joy Slide Deck - Slide 2: What is Gratitude?)"
"So, what exactly is gratitude? Take a look at the slide. In your own words, what do you think gratitude means? When have you felt grateful?"
(Allow students to share their ideas, guiding them towards the definition on the slide.)
"That's right! Gratitude is about noticing and appreciating the good things in your life. It's about feeling thankful. It's not just for big, life-changing events, but also for the everyday moments – like a friend helping you, a delicious meal, or even just having a roof over your head."
"(Transition to Gratitude Unlocking Joy Slide Deck - Slide 3: Why Does Gratitude Matter?)"
"Why do you think gratitude matters? How might feeling thankful make a difference in your life or in our classroom?"
(Encourage responses. Connect to the points on the slide: happiness, appreciation, stress reduction, stronger relationships.)
"Exactly! When we practice gratitude, it can actually make us feel happier, more positive, and even help us handle tough situations better. It's a superpower for our well-being!"
Gratitude Brainstorm & Share (10 minutes)
"(Transition to Gratitude Unlocking Joy Slide Deck - Slide 4: Your Gratitude List)"
"Now it's your turn to make your own gratitude list. I'm going to hand out some small slips of paper. On these slips, I want you to privately brainstorm and write down 3-5 things you are grateful for right now. These can be anything: a person, a pet, a special memory, a favorite book, a warm bed, a sunny day, or even something about yourself! Take about 5 minutes to think and write."
(Distribute slips of paper. Circulate and offer individual support or prompts if students are stuck.)
"Alright, now that you have your lists, I want you to turn to a partner or a small group of 3. Share just ONE item from your list with them and briefly explain why you're grateful for it. Take about 3-4 minutes for this."
(After a few minutes)
"Can I get a few volunteers to share one item from their list with the whole class?"
(Affirm students' sharing.)
The Gratitude Jar Activity (5 minutes)
"(Transition to Gratitude Unlocking Joy Slide Deck - Slide 5: The Gratitude Jar)"
"We're going to start something special in our classroom: a Gratitude Jar! This jar (show jar) is a place where we can all contribute our feelings of gratitude throughout the week, or whenever we feel moved to do so."
"I'll start. I am grateful for (teacher shares something brief, e.g., 'the beautiful weather today' or 'my supportive colleagues'). And I'll put it in the jar." (Model writing on a slip and placing it in the jar.)
"Now, take one of the things you wrote down earlier – or think of a new one – and write it on a fresh slip of paper. Then, you can add it to our class Gratitude Jar. We'll open it up and read some of the notes periodically to remind us of all the wonderful things we have to be thankful for."
(Allow students to write and add to the jar.)
Cool-Down: One Word Gratitude (5 minutes)
"(Transition to Gratitude Unlocking Joy Slide Deck - Slide 6: Keep the Gratitude Going!)"
"To wrap up our lesson today, let's do a quick 'One Word Gratitude' cool-down. I want you to think of just one word that describes how you feel about gratitude now, after our discussion and activity. It could be a feeling, an action, or a thought."
"Once you have your word, you can share it with a neighbor or write it on an exit ticket as you leave. (If using exit tickets: "Please write your word on this slip and place it in the basket on your way out.")"
(Collect exit tickets if used. Briefly recap:)
"Thank you all for participating so thoughtfully today. Remember, gratitude is a powerful tool for a happier life. Try to keep noticing and appreciating the good things around you every single day. It truly is a key to unlocking more joy!"
Warm Up
What's Good? Warm-Up
Instructions: Think about one good thing that happened to you recently, no matter how small. It could be something like a tasty snack, a funny moment, or even just seeing something nice outside. You'll have a chance to share your
Cool Down
One Word Gratitude Cool Down
Instructions: Think about our lesson on gratitude today. What is ONE word that describes how you feel about gratitude, or what you learned about it?