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Joyful Journeys

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Lesson Plan

Joyful Journeys Lesson Plan

Students will recognize and document positive moments from their daily lives by identifying at least three things they’re grateful for through storytelling, journaling, and a creative craft activity.

Cultivating gratitude helps children develop a positive mindset, boosts emotional resilience, and encourages social empathy as they learn to notice and appreciate everyday blessings.

Audience

Elementary School Students (Grades 1–3)

Time

75 minutes

Approach

Storytelling, reflective journaling, and creative crafting to highlight gratitude.

Materials

Joyful Journeys Slide Deck, Daily Gratitude Journal, Gratitude Tree Craft Template, Colored Paper, Markers, and Stickers

Prep

Materials Preparation

20 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up Discussion

10 minutes

  • Invite students to share one thing they’re thankful for today.
  • Prompt with questions: “What made you smile this morning?” or “Who helped you feel happy?”
  • Encourage each student to participate and listen respectfully.

Step 2

Storytelling

15 minutes

  • Present a short story about a character finding joy in small moments using the Joyful Journeys Slide Deck.
  • Pause to ask comprehension and gratitude-focused questions.
  • Highlight and discuss positive moments in the story.

Step 3

Journal Entry

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Daily Gratitude Journal.
  • Ask students to draw or write three things they’re grateful for today.
  • Encourage vivid descriptions: sights, sounds, people, or activities.

Step 4

Gratitude Tree Craft

20 minutes

  • Give each student the Gratitude Tree Craft Template.
  • Have students cut out three to five leaves and write a grateful moment on each leaf.
  • Assemble and decorate their tree on colored paper, adding stickers or drawings.

Step 5

Sharing & Reflection

10 minutes

  • Invite volunteers to share one leaf from their Gratitude Tree.
  • Facilitate positive feedback from classmates.
  • Reinforce noticing and celebrating everyday positives.

Step 6

Cool-Down and Closing

5 minutes

  • Lead a gratitude circle: each student says one word describing how they feel now.
  • Encourage students to take their journals and trees home and continue their gratitude practice.
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Slide Deck

Joyful Journeys: Cultivating Gratitude

Recognizing and appreciating everyday moments of happiness and thankfulness.

Welcome students and introduce the lesson. Explain that today we’ll go on a ‘Joyful Journey’ to find and celebrate everyday moments of gratitude.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will:

  • Identify three positive moments from your day
  • Share your gratitude with classmates
  • Create a gratitude journal entry and a Gratitude Tree craft
  • Reflect on how noticing good things makes you feel

Read each objective aloud and check for understanding. Emphasize that everyone will participate by listening, sharing, and creating.

Warm-Up Discussion

• Share one thing you’re thankful for today.
• What made you smile this morning?
• Who helped you feel happy?
(Encourage each student to listen respectfully.)

Prompt students to think quietly for a moment before inviting volunteers. Guide discussion to build a welcoming atmosphere.

Story Time: A Small Surprise

Lucy woke up to sunshine and decided to pick flowers for her grandmother. On her walk, she found a shiny pebble, heard birds singing, and felt the warm breeze on her face. When Lucy surprised Grandma with flowers, they shared a big hug.

Tell the story slowly, showing the image on each slide. Pause for dramatic effect and to let students imagine the scene.

Story Reflection

• What small moments did Lucy notice on her walk?
• How did finding a pebble make Lucy feel?
• Why was the hug with Grandma special?
• How can we find joy in simple things?

Ask each question and call on volunteers. Encourage responses that point out small details of the story.

Journal Entry

• Draw or write three things you’re grateful for today.
• Describe: sights, sounds, people, or activities.
• Be creative with colors and words!

Explain how to use the journal. Pass out the Daily Gratitude Journal. Circulate to support drawing or writing.

Gratitude Tree Craft

  1. Cut out 3–5 leaves from the template.
  2. On each leaf, write one thing you’re thankful for.
  3. Glue leaves onto your tree trunk on colored paper.
  4. Decorate with markers and stickers.

Demonstrate cutting leaves and writing inside them. Show a completed example of a Gratitude Tree.

Sharing & Reflection

• Volunteers share one leaf from their Gratitude Tree.
• Classmates give positive feedback.
• Discuss how sharing makes us feel connected.

Invite volunteers to come to the front or share from their seat. Encourage positive comments from peers.

Cool-Down and Closing

• In a gratitude circle, each student says one word about how they feel now.
• Remind students to take journals and trees home and continue practicing gratitude.

Guide each student to think of one word. Lead the circle so every voice is heard.

Thank You!

Keep noticing: small moments, big feelings, everyday gratitude.

Thank the class for their participation and encourage them to notice joyful moments all week.

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Journal

Daily Gratitude Journal

Date: _________________________

1. Something that made me happy today

(Draw here)




Write about it:





2. A kind thing someone did for me

(Draw here)




Write about it:





3. A place or activity I love

(Draw here)




Write about it:





Reflection

How did these moments make me feel?










Keep adding to your journal every day to notice the little things that bring you joy!

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Activity

Gratitude Tree Craft Template

Use this printable template to create your own Gratitude Tree. You’ll cut out the tree trunk and leaves, write your thankful thoughts on each leaf, and assemble them on colored paper.

Page 1: Tree Trunk

(Cut out and glue onto your background paper.)

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Page 2: Leaves

(Cut out 5 – 7 leaves. On each leaf, write one thing you’re grateful for.)

                              ____
      /       /       /       /       / \
      | |      | |      | |      | |      | |
      _/      _/      _/      _/      ____/

How to Use

  1. Print both pages.
  2. On Page 1, cut out the tree trunk and glue it to a sheet of colored paper.
  3. On Page 2, cut out 5–7 leaves.
  4. On each leaf, write or draw one thing you’re grateful for.
  5. Arrange and glue your leaves around the trunk to complete your Gratitude Tree!

Enjoy your joyful journey noticing everyday moments of gratitude!

lenny
lenny