Lesson Plan
Gratitude Grows!
Students will be able to identify and express at least one thing they are grateful for.
Learning gratitude helps young children develop empathy, kindness, and a positive outlook. It teaches them to appreciate the good things in their lives, big and small.
Audience
Pre-Kindergarten Students
Time
10 minutes
Approach
Through a simple discussion and a hands-on activity.
Materials
Small Basket or Container, Paper Leaves (pre-cut) or Gratitude Leaves Activity, and Crayons or Markers
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
- Gather a small basket or container.
- Pre-cut several simple leaf shapes from paper (one per student, plus a few extras) or print the Gratitude Leaves Activity.
- Ensure crayons or markers are available.
- Review the Gratitude Grows! Slide Deck and Teacher Script (if available).
Step 1
Introduction to Gratitude
2 minutes
- Greet students and introduce the idea of 'thankful hearts' using the Gratitude Grows! Slide Deck (Slide 1).
- Ask students what it means to be thankful or grateful. (Teacher Script: "Has anyone ever felt really happy because someone did something kind for them, or because they have a special toy? That happy feeling is a lot like gratitude!")
Step 2
Brainstorming Thankful Things
3 minutes
- Show students the small basket.
- Lead a brief discussion, asking students about things they are thankful for (e.g., family, friends, pets, toys, sunny days, yummy food). Use the Gratitude Grows! Slide Deck (Slide 2) as a visual aid.
- Model an example: "I am thankful for my cozy sweater because it keeps me warm!"
Step 3
Gratitude Leaves Activity
4 minutes
- Distribute one paper leaf (or Gratitude Leaves Activity sheet) and crayons/markers to each student.
- Instruct students to draw or dictate something they are thankful for on their leaf. (Teacher Script: "Now, think about one thing that makes your heart happy. Draw it or tell me what it is, and I'll write it down on your leaf!")
- Circulate and assist students as needed.
- As students finish, have them place their leaf into the basket, creating a
Step 4
Collect all materials.
2 minutes
- Gather a small basket or container.
- Pre-cut several simple leaf shapes from paper (one per student, plus a few extras) or print the Gratitude Leaves Activity.
- Ensure crayons or markers are available.
- Review the Gratitude Grows! Slide Deck and Teacher Script (if available).
- Make copies of the Gratitude Leaves Activity, if using.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
What Makes Your Heart Happy?
Today we're going to talk about being THANKFUL!
Welcome students and introduce the topic of gratitude. Ask them what it means to be thankful. Engage them with the slide title.
I am Thankful for...
What makes you feel happy and lucky to have?
Let's share our ideas!
Guide a discussion. Ask students to share things they are thankful for. Provide examples if needed (e.g., family, friends, pets, toys, yummy food, sunny days).
My Gratitude Leaf
Draw or tell us ONE thing you are thankful for.
Then, add your leaf to our 'Gratitude Grows' basket!
Explain the activity. Distribute the paper leaves and crayons/markers. Remind them to draw or tell you what they are thankful for. As they finish, have them put their leaf in the basket.
Our Thankful Basket!
Look at all the wonderful things we are thankful for!
Having a thankful heart makes us feel good!
Conclude the lesson by showing the basket full of leaves and reiterating the positive feelings associated with gratitude. Encourage them to keep thinking about things they are thankful for.
Activity
Gratitude Leaves Activity
Instructions: Think about something that makes your heart happy. Draw a picture of it or tell your teacher what it is, and they will write it on your leaf!
Cut out your leaf when you are done!
Script
Teacher Script for Gratitude Grows!
Introduction (2 minutes)
"Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something very special called gratitude. Has anyone heard that word before? It's a big word, but it means a simple and wonderful feeling!"
Show Gratitude Grows! Slide Deck - Slide 1
"Gratitude is all about being thankful for the good things in our lives, the things that make our hearts happy. Has anyone ever felt really happy because someone did something kind for them, or because they have a special toy? That happy feeling is a lot like gratitude!"
Brainstorming Thankful Things (3 minutes)
"I have a special basket here today! Hold up the small basket. We are going to fill it with all the wonderful things we are thankful for. What are some things that make you feel happy and lucky to have?"
Show Gratitude Grows! Slide Deck - Slide 2
"Maybe you're thankful for your mommy or daddy, or your friends. Maybe you're thankful for your favorite teddy bear, or a yummy snack! I'll go first! I am thankful for my cozy sweater because it keeps me warm! What about you?"
(Listen to student responses, prompt as needed. Encourage every child to share one idea.)
Gratitude Leaves Activity (4 minutes)
"Those are wonderful things to be thankful for! Now, we're going to make our very own Gratitude Leaves!"
Show Gratitude Grows! Slide Deck - Slide 3
"I'm going to give each of you a paper leaf. On your leaf, I want you to draw or tell me one thing that makes your heart happy, one thing you are thankful for. If you draw it, that's fantastic! If you tell me, I'll help you write it down."
(Distribute Gratitude Leaves Activity and crayons/markers. Circulate, assist, and write for students as needed. As students finish, instruct them to place their leaf into the basket.)
Our Thankful Basket (1 minute)
Show Gratitude Grows! Slide Deck - Slide 4
"Look at our beautiful basket! It's full of all the wonderful things we are thankful for! Having a thankful heart makes us feel good inside, and it helps us see all the amazing things around us. Let's try to remember to have thankful hearts every day!"
"Great job today, everyone!"
Answer Key
Gratitude Leaves Activity Answer Key
This "answer key" for the Gratitude Leaves Activity outlines the expected student engagement and outcomes, rather than right or wrong answers, as the activity is designed for personal expression.
Learning Objective Review
Students will be able to identify and express at least one thing they are grateful for.
Expected Student Responses & Engagement
-
Identification of Gratitude: Students should be able to either verbally name or visually represent (through drawing) one or more things they are thankful for. Examples may include:
- Family members (mom, dad, brother, sister)
- Friends
- Pets (dog, cat)
- Favorite toys
- Food (pizza, ice cream)
- Nature (sun, flowers, trees)
- School, teachers, classmates
-
Participation: All students should participate by either drawing on their leaf or dictating an idea to the teacher to be written down.
-
Understanding the Concept: While not formally assessed, the teacher should observe if students grasp the core idea of being thankful. Their responses should reflect positive associations.
Teacher Guidance Notes
- Flexibility: Accept all sincere responses. There are no