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The Gratitude Garden

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Lesson Plan

The Gratitude Garden

Students will define gratitude and identify its positive effects. Students will reflect on things, people, and experiences they are thankful for. Students will explore ways to practice daily gratitude to improve well-being and connections.

Practicing gratitude can significantly improve students' mental and emotional well-being, leading to greater happiness, reduced stress, and stronger relationships within the school community.

Audience

5th-7th Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Through discussion, reflection, and creative expression, students will explore and practice gratitude.

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What is Gratitude?

10 minutes

Step 2

Cultivating Our Garden: Guided Reflection

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Gratitude Garden Worksheet. (2 minutes)
  • Guide students through the reflection prompts on the worksheet, encouraging them to think about people, things, and experiences they are thankful for. Use The Gratitude Garden Slide Deck (Slide 5-6) to prompt thinking. (10 minutes)
  • Encourage students to share one item from their worksheet with a partner or small group, if they feel comfortable. (3 minutes)

Step 3

Planting Seeds: Gratitude Expression Activity

10 minutes

  • Introduce the Gratitude Expression Activity. Explain that students will choose one item from their worksheet to express gratitude creatively. (2 minutes)
  • Provide examples: writing a thank-you note (real or imagined), drawing a picture, writing a short poem, or creating a small "gratitude seed" drawing. (2 minutes)
  • Allow students time to work on their chosen expression. (6 minutes)

Step 4

Nourishing Our Garden: Daily Gratitude

5 minutes

  • Discuss how students can incorporate gratitude into their daily lives. Refer to The Gratitude Garden Slide Deck (Slide 7-8). (2 minutes)
  • Introduce the Gratitude Journal Prompt as a way to continue practicing gratitude. (1 minute)
  • Assign the journal prompt as a take-home reflection or an ongoing activity. (1 minute)
  • Conclude with a brief reminder of the positive impact of gratitude. (1 minute)

Step 5

Cool Down/Exit Ticket

5 minutes

  • Ask students to write down one new way they plan to show gratitude this week on an index card or small piece of paper. Collect these as an exit ticket.
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Slide Deck

Welcome to The Gratitude Garden!

What's one small thing that made you smile today?

Welcome students and set a positive tone. Ask a simple, open-ended question to get them thinking positively. Encourage sharing, but don't force it.

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is about appreciating the good things in your life.

It's noticing and being thankful for what you have, rather than focusing on what you don't have.

Introduce the concept of gratitude in simple terms. Ask students what they think gratitude means.

Feeling Thankful

It's a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation.

When do you feel grateful?

Connect gratitude to everyday feelings and experiences. Encourage students to think about times they've felt thankful.

Why Grow Gratitude?

  • Happier Moods: Feeling grateful can make you feel more positive.
  • Stronger Friendships: Appreciating others helps build better relationships.
  • Less Stress: Focusing on good things can make challenges feel smaller.
  • More Optimism: You start to see the good in more situations.

Explain the benefits of practicing gratitude. Keep it relatable to their experiences.

Planting Our Seeds of Gratitude

Let's think about all the good things in our lives.

We'll use our Gratitude Garden Worksheet to help us.

Introduce the worksheet and explain that this is a time for personal reflection. Encourage thoughtful consideration.

What Are You Thankful For?

On your worksheet, think about:

  • People: Who makes your life better?
  • Things: What objects bring you joy or help you?
  • Experiences: What moments or memories are you grateful for?

Guide students through the categories on the worksheet: people, things, experiences. Give them time to brainstorm for each.

Watering Our Garden Daily

Gratitude is a practice, like watering a garden. The more you do it, the more it grows!

How can we practice gratitude every day?

Transition to daily practice. Emphasize that gratitude is a habit.

Your Gratitude Journal

A great way to keep practicing gratitude is to keep a Gratitude Journal.

Even just writing down one thing each day can make a big difference!

Introduce the idea of a gratitude journal or simple daily reflections. Explain the Gratitude Journal Prompt.

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Worksheet

My Gratitude Garden Worksheet

Name: ________________________ Date: _______________

Just like a garden needs water and sunshine to grow, our happiness grows when we nurture gratitude! Take some time to think about all the wonderful things, people, and experiences in your life. Write them down in the sections below. The more details, the better!

Section 1: People Who Make My Life Brighter

Think about the special people in your life. Who helps you, makes you laugh, teaches you things, or simply makes you feel good? (Friends, family, teachers, coaches, neighbors, pets!)

  1. __________________________________________________


  2. __________________________________________________


  3. __________________________________________________


  4. __________________________________________________


Section 2: Things I Am Thankful For

What objects or possessions do you appreciate? It could be something big or something small that brings you comfort, joy, or makes life easier. (A cozy blanket, your favorite book, a game, a warm meal, clean water, a safe home.)

  1. __________________________________________________


  2. __________________________________________________


  3. __________________________________________________


  4. __________________________________________________


Section 3: Experiences and Moments I Cherish

What experiences or memories are you grateful for? These could be recent events, past adventures, or even small, everyday moments that made you happy. (A sunny day, a fun trip, a good book you read, a silly joke, a delicious snack, a quiet moment.)

  1. __________________________________________________


  2. __________________________________________________


  3. __________________________________________________


  4. __________________________________________________


My Gratitude Reflection

Look at all the amazing things you wrote down! How does it feel to think about everything you are grateful for?












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Activity

Gratitude Expression Activity: Share Your Thanks!

Now that you've identified some wonderful things, people, and experiences you're grateful for on your Gratitude Garden Worksheet, it's time to choose one and express your gratitude in a creative way!

Instructions:

  1. Choose One: Look at your Gratitude Garden Worksheet. Pick one person, thing, or experience you are especially thankful for right now.

  2. Choose Your Expression: Decide how you want to express your gratitude. Here are some ideas, but feel free to come up with your own!

    • Write a Thank-You Note: Write a short thank-you note to the person or for the experience. You don't have to deliver it, but write it as if you would!
    • Draw a Picture: Create a drawing that represents what you are grateful for.
    • Write a Short Poem or Haiku: Express your feelings of gratitude in a few lines of poetry.
    • **Design a
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Journal

My Gratitude Journal

Name: ________________________ Date: _______________

"Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for." - Zig Ziglar

This journal is a space for you to regularly practice gratitude. Take a few minutes each day, or a few times a week, to reflect on the good things in your life. Even on tough days, there's always something to be thankful for!

Journal Prompt: Today I Am Grateful For...

Think about your day. What made you smile? What went well? What person or thing helped you? What simple pleasure did you experience? Write about it below, and try to include why you are grateful for it.

Date: ____________________

I am grateful for...











Date: ____________________

I am grateful for...











Date: ____________________

I am grateful for...











Date: ____________________

I am grateful for...











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Lesson Plan

The Gratitude Garden

Students will understand the concept of gratitude, identify things, people, and experiences they are thankful for, and learn practical ways to incorporate gratitude into their daily lives to foster optimism and enhance well-being.

Practicing gratitude can significantly improve mood, reduce negative thoughts, and strengthen personal connections, leading to a happier and more connected school community.

Audience

5th-7th Grade Students

Time

60-75 minutes

Approach

Through interactive discussions, guided reflection, and creative expression.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, The Gratitude Garden Slide Deck, Gratitude Garden Worksheet, Gratitude Reflection Journal, and Colored pencils, markers, or crayons

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Hook (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Begin with a quick Warm Up activity to gauge students' current feelings.
  • Use The Gratitude Garden Slide Deck to introduce the lesson title and concept of gratitude. Ask students what they think gratitude means.

Step 2

What is Gratitude? (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Facilitate a discussion using The Gratitude Garden Slide Deck about what gratitude is and why it's important.
  • Share examples of gratitude from real life. Ask students for their own examples.

Step 3

The Gratitude Garden Activity (20 minutes)

20 minutes

  • Introduce the main activity: creating a personal 'Gratitude Garden'.
  • Distribute the Gratitude Garden Worksheet.
  • Explain instructions: students will draw or write things, people, and experiences they are thankful for, representing them as flowers or plants in their garden.
  • Circulate and assist students as they work.

Step 4

Sharing & Reflection (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Invite students to share one or two items from their Gratitude Garden Worksheet with a partner or the whole class.
  • Lead a brief discussion about how it felt to focus on positive things and the variety of things people are grateful for.

Step 5

Cultivating Daily Gratitude (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Introduce the concept of daily gratitude practice.
  • Distribute the Gratitude Reflection Journal.
  • Explain how to use the journal to regularly record grateful moments.
  • Encourage students to make gratitude a daily habit.

Step 6

Cool Down & Wrap-up (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Conclude with a Cool Down activity, asking students to share one new thing they learned about gratitude or one way they plan to practice it.
  • Reiterate the positive impact of gratitude on well-being.
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Slide Deck

The Gratitude Garden: Cultivating Appreciation

Welcome to our garden of good feelings!

Welcome students and introduce the engaging title. Ask them what 'cultivating appreciation' might mean.

What is Gratitude?

Thinking about what you're thankful for

  • What does it mean to be grateful?
  • When do you feel grateful?
  • Why is it important to appreciate things?

Ask students to share their initial thoughts on what gratitude is. Encourage various ideas.

Why Gratitude Matters

How saying 'thank you' helps YOU!

  • Makes you happier: Focus on good things, feel good inside.
  • Reduces stress: Helps you see the positive, even when things are tough.
  • Builds stronger friendships: Appreciate others, and they appreciate you.
  • Increases optimism: Look for the bright side of life.

Explain the benefits of gratitude. Connect it to feeling happier and getting along better with others.

Your Gratitude Garden

Let's grow some appreciation!

  • What makes your heart happy?
  • Who brightens your day?
  • What awesome experiences have you had?

Introduce the main activity – creating a 'Gratitude Garden'. Explain that they'll be thinking about specific things.

Planting Your Seeds of Thanks

Time to create!

  • On your worksheet, draw or write about things, people, and experiences you are grateful for.
  • Represent them as flowers, trees, or plants in your own unique garden.
  • Be creative and let your gratitude grow!

Explain the instructions for the worksheet. Emphasize creativity and personal reflection. Distribute the Gratitude Garden Worksheet.

Sharing Our Harvest

What treasures did you find in your garden?

  • Share one or two things you included in your Gratitude Garden with a partner or the class.
  • How did it feel to focus on these positive things?

Guide students through a brief sharing session. This helps them acknowledge their own gratitude and hear from others.

Cultivating Daily Gratitude

Keep your garden growing!

  • Use your Gratitude Reflection Journal to write down 3-5 things you are grateful for each day.
  • Make it a habit to notice the good things, big or small.
  • The more you practice, the more your appreciation will blossom!

Introduce the journal and explain how it can be used for ongoing gratitude practice. Distribute the Gratitude Reflection Journal.

Bloom with Gratitude!

Remember:

  • Gratitude helps us feel happier and more connected.
  • It's a powerful tool you can use every single day.
  • Keep cultivating your Gratitude Garden, and watch your well-being bloom!

Conclude the lesson by reinforcing the idea of gratitude being a tool for well-being. Ask students for a final takeaway.

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Warm Up

Gratitude Garden Warm-Up: How Are You Feeling Today?

Instructions: Take a moment to think about how you are feeling right now. In the space below, draw a simple emoji or write one word that describes your current mood.




Think about:

  • What kind of weather would represent your mood today? (Sunny, cloudy, rainy, stormy, partly sunny)
  • Why do you feel this way?







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