The Gratitude Challenge

TRISH MANUEL

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

The Gratitude Challenge Lesson Plan

Students will learn about gratitude by identifying and recording daily moments of thankfulness, fostering positive emotions and a supportive classroom community.

Cultivating gratitude helps improve well-being, builds empathy, and instills a sense of appreciation among young learners, which is essential for their emotional development.

Audience

Grades 2-4 Elementary School Students

Time

45-60 minutes

Approach

Interactive gratitude challenges and guided activities.

Materials

The Gratitude Challenge Lesson Plan, Gratitude Slide Deck, Gratitude Activity Instructions, and Gratitude Worksheet

Prep

Preparation for The Gratitude Challenge

15 minutes

Review The Gratitude Challenge Lesson Plan to understand the objectives and materials.
Familiarize yourself with the Gratitude Slide Deck to effectively present key points.
Print copies of the Gratitude Worksheet for each student.
Prepare the Gratitude Activity Instructions and organize a space for students to gather and share.

Step 1

Introduction and Discussion

10 minutes

Begin by explaining what gratitude means using the Gratitude Slide Deck.
Engage students in a brief discussion about things they are thankful for.

Step 2

Gratitude Challenge Activity

20 minutes

Distribute the Gratitude Worksheet for students to record their daily thankful moments.
Use the Gratitude Activity Instructions to guide the activity as students share with a partner or small group.

Step 3

Sharing and Reflection

15 minutes

Invite students to share some entries from their worksheets with the class.
Discuss how expressing gratitude can influence their feelings and classroom environment.
Conclude with a summary of the lesson's key points using the slide deck for visual reinforcement.

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Slide Deck

Welcome to The Gratitude Challenge!

Today we'll learn about gratitude and how saying 'thank you' can make us feel happier.

This slide introduces the Gratitude Challenge. Briefly explain that today they'll learn about gratitude and why it's important.

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is being thankful and noticing the good things in our lives, like a sunny day or a kind friend.

Define gratitude in simple terms and provide relatable examples appropriate for grades 2-4.

Examples of Gratitude

Could be: family, friends, pets, a favorite toy, or a fun game.

Use this slide to present examples of things they could be grateful for. Encourage students to think of their own examples during discussion.

Tracking Our Gratitude

Each day, write down one thing you are thankful for. This helps us remember good moments!

Explain the activity: students will write down something they are thankful for every day. Mention that these examples can help them feel positive.

Let's Reflect Together

What are you thankful for today? Share with a partner or the class.

Wrap up with a reflective prompt. Encourage students to share and discuss their entries, reinforcing a supportive class environment.

Activity

Gratitude Activity Instructions

Activity Overview

In this activity, you will help students recognize and share moments of gratitude. The activity is divided into two parts: individual reflection and group sharing. This structure helps students understand the importance of being thankful and supports a friendly classroom environment.

Part 1: Individual Reflection

Get Ready: Ask each student to take a deep breath and think quietly about a moment they felt happy or thankful lately.
Record Your Thoughts: Provide each student with a printed copy of the Gratitude Worksheet. Instruct them to write down one thing they are grateful for today.
Reflect: Encourage the students to think about why they chose that moment, how it made them feel, and what impact it had on their day.

Part 2: Group Sharing

Pair and Share: Once all students have completed their worksheet, ask them to turn to a partner and share what they wrote.
Group Discussion: After sharing in pairs, invite a few volunteers to share their experiences with the entire class. Use prompts such as:
- What did you feel when you thought about your grateful moment?
- Did you notice any similar feelings in your partner's story?
- How can sharing these moments make our class a more positive place?
Teacher Guidance: As students discuss, guide them by reiterating the importance of gratitude for building kindness and empathy. Emphasize that every moment of thankfulness, no matter how small, is valuable.

Wrap-Up

Final Thought: Ask students to stand in a circle and each say one word that describes how they feel after the sharing session.
Reflective Question: Conclude with a question: "How might you remember to be thankful every day?"

This activity not only promotes individual reflection but also builds a supportive community in the classroom by valuing each student's experiences.

Worksheet

Gratitude Worksheet

Today, I Am Thankful For...

Think about your day. What is one thing that made you smile or feel happy today? Write it below or draw a picture about it!

How It Made Me Feel

How did this special moment make you feel? Write down or draw your feelings:

My Drawing or Extra Thoughts

If you like, draw a picture of your grateful moment or write more about it here:

Remember, every moment of thankfulness is special. Keep track of your happy moments every day!