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My January Journal of Joy

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Lesson Plan

My January Journal of Joy

Students will be able to identify and record moments of joy and gratitude to foster a positive outlook and build emotional resilience.

Developing a habit of mindfulness and appreciation for positive experiences, no matter how small, can significantly improve a student's emotional well-being and resilience.

Audience

4th Grade

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Guided prompts for journaling, sharing joyful moments, and creating a collective 'joy wall' or individual 'joy jars.'

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Joy Journal, Joyful Moments Slides, Joy Wall Activity Instructions, Construction paper or sticky notes (for Joy Wall/Jars), and Joyful Words Word Search

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up: What is Joy?

10 minutes

  • Display the first slide of Joyful Moments Slides.
    - Begin by asking students: "What does 'joy' mean to you? How does it feel?" (Allow for a few student responses).
    - Introduce the concept of a "January Journal of Joy" as a way to notice and appreciate good things.
    - Explain the lesson's objective: to find and record moments of happiness and gratitude, which helps us feel good and strong inside.

Step 2

Guided Journaling: Finding Your Joy

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Joy Journal to each student.
    - Display the relevant slide on Joyful Moments Slides with a journaling prompt.
    - Guide students through the first prompt in their Joy Journal. For example: "Think about something small that made you smile today, or yesterday. What was it? Who was involved? How did it make you feel?"
    - Encourage students to write or draw their responses. Circulate to provide support and encouragement.
    - After a few minutes, ask for a few volunteers to share one small moment of joy they recorded. Emphasize that there are no wrong answers and all joys are valid.

Step 3

Activity: Building Our Joy Wall / Joy Jars

15 minutes

  • Introduce the Joy Wall Activity Instructions (or Joy Jars).
    - Explain that as a class, or individually, we will create a visual representation of our collective joy.
    - Hand out construction paper or sticky notes.
    - Instruct students to write down one joyful moment (different from their journal, if possible) on the paper/sticky note.
    - Have students share their joyful moment aloud as they add it to the 'Joy Wall' (a designated space on the board or wall) or place it in their individual 'Joy Jar.'
    - Facilitate a brief discussion about how seeing or hearing everyone's joyful moments makes them feel.

Step 4

Conclusion & Cool-Down: Joy Habit

5 minutes

  • Conclude by reiterating the importance of noticing and appreciating positive moments.
    - Encourage students to continue using their Joy Journal throughout January.
    - Ask: "How can noticing joyful moments every day help us?" (Possible answers: makes us happier, helps us feel grateful, reminds us of good things).
    - End with a positive affirmation about the power of joy.

Step 5

Extension Activity: Joyful Words Word Search

Optional

  • For early finishers or as an optional homework assignment, provide students with the Joyful Words Word Search.
    - Explain that this puzzle is a fun way to reinforce the positive vocabulary associated with joy and gratitude.
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Slide Deck

My January Journal of Joy

Finding happiness in every day!

Welcome students and introduce the exciting theme for January! Explain that throughout this month, we'll be focusing on finding and appreciating the good things around us.

What Does Joy Feel Like?

• What is joy?
• How does it feel in your body?
• What makes you feel joyful?
• Why is it important to notice joy?

Start with an open discussion. Ask students what 'joy' means to them. Encourage them to share feelings, experiences, or even colors/images that come to mind. This activates prior knowledge and sets a positive tone.

Your January Joy Journal

• A special place to record happy moments.
• Helps you notice positive things every day.
• Builds a positive mindset!

Introduce the 'Joy Journal' as a tool. Explain that we're training our brains to notice the good things, even small ones. This helps us build 'emotional muscles'!

Finding Your Joy: A Daily Practice

Today's Prompt:

What is one small thing that made you smile today or yesterday? Describe it!

Guide students through their first journaling prompt. Give them a clear example and encourage both writing and drawing. Remind them it's about their experience.

Share the Spark: Joy Wall / Joy Jars

• Let's create a collection of our happy moments!
• Write one joyful moment on a sticky note or paper.
• Add it to our class Joy Wall or your personal Joy Jar!
• How does seeing everyone's joy make you feel?

Explain the collaborative activity. Show them where the 'Joy Wall' will be or how their 'Joy Jars' will work. Emphasize that sharing our joy can spread happiness.

Keep the Joy Going!

• Continue using your Joy Journal all month long!
• Noticing joy can make you feel:
• Happier
• More grateful
• More resilient
• You have the power to find joy every day!

Conclude by summarizing the benefits of this practice. Reinforce that cultivating joy is a skill they can use beyond January. Encourage continued use of their journals.

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Journal

My January Journal of Joy

Welcome to your very own Joy Journal! This is a special place where you can write or draw about all the good things that happen in your day. Even small moments of happiness are important!

Taking time to notice and record these moments can help you feel happier, more grateful, and build your inner strength. Let's make January a month full of joy!

Prompt 1: A Spark of Joy

What is one small thing that made you smile today or yesterday? Describe it! What happened? Who was there? How did it make you feel?













Prompt 2: Grateful Hearts

Think about something you are grateful for right now. It could be a person, a pet, a toy, a warm meal, or even just a sunny day! What makes you thankful for it?













Prompt 3: Helping Hands, Happy Hearts

Did you do something kind for someone today, or did someone do something kind for you? Describe this moment and how it made you feel.













Prompt 4: My Happy Place

Imagine your happiest place – real or imaginary. What does it look like, sound like, and feel like? What makes it so joyful for you?













Prompt 5: A Joyful Sound/Sight

What is a sound you heard or something you saw recently that brought you a little bit of joy? Describe it!













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Activity

Joy Wall / Joy Jars Activity

This activity is all about sharing the happy moments we discover!

Option 1: Class Joy Wall

Materials:

  • Large piece of paper or designated whiteboard space
  • Sticky notes or small strips of paper
  • Markers or pens

Instructions:

  1. Each student will receive a sticky note or small strip of paper.
  2. Think of one new joyful moment you experienced recently. It could be something from today, yesterday, or even last week! Try to think of something different from what you wrote in your Joy Journal.
  3. On your paper, clearly write down that joyful moment. You can draw a small picture too!
  4. When it's your turn, share your joyful moment with the class.
  5. After sharing, stick your joyful moment onto our class Joy Wall.
  6. Watch our wall fill up with all the amazing happy moments from our class!

Option 2: Individual Joy Jars

Materials:

  • Small paper bags or empty jars (one per student)
  • Strips of paper
  • Markers or pens
  • Optional: decorating supplies for jars (crayons, stickers)

Instructions:

  1. Each student will get a paper bag or jar to be their own personal "Joy Jar."
  2. You can decorate your Joy Jar to make it special!
  3. Think of one new joyful moment you experienced recently. It could be something from today, yesterday, or even last week! Try to think of something different from what you wrote in your Joy Journal.
  4. On a strip of paper, clearly write down that joyful moment. You can draw a small picture too!
  5. When it's your turn, share your joyful moment with the class.
  6. After sharing, place your joyful moment inside your Joy Jar.
  7. Throughout January, continue adding joyful moments to your jar! At the end of the month, you'll have a jar full of happiness to look back on.
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Activity

Joyful Words Word Search Challenge!

Can you find all the joyful words hidden in this bigger puzzle? Some words might be backwards, or even upside down! Circle each word as you find it!

Word List:

  • JOY
  • HAPPY
  • SMILE
  • LOVE
  • KINDNESS
  • GRATEFUL
  • FUN
  • BRIGHT
  • PEACE
  • CHEERFUL
  • POSITIVE
  • THANKFUL
  • GLADNESS
  • HOPE
  • ZEN
Q P O S I T I V E R F
Z Y A H C E L H A P P Y
E N S S E N D N I K S M
A T M I L E S T N A N I
C H E E R F U L G R O L
E R G I T B H O P E L E
F U L F N U F T N A V S
R E A P P Y Z E R O V S
I G L A D N E S S P U T
J O Y T H A N K F U L O
B R I G H T R A T E F U

Instructions:

  1. Find each word from the "Word List" in the puzzle.
  2. Words can be found horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. They can also be forwards, backwards, or upside down!
  3. Circle the words as you find them.
  4. This is a challenge! Take your time and look carefully!
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