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The Gratitude Garden

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Nicole Garone

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

The Gratitude Garden Lesson Plan

Students will be able to identify and express gratitude for things in their lives, understanding how appreciation fosters positive emotions and stronger connections.

Practicing gratitude is a fundamental life skill that enhances overall well-being, builds empathy, and strengthens relationships. This lesson provides students with practical tools to cultivate a positive mindset.

Audience

K-5th Grade Students

Time

45-60 minutes

Approach

Interactive activities, creative expression, and group discussion.

Materials

Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Construction paper or 'Gratitude Garden' template for each student, Art supplies (crayons, colored pencils, stickers), Gratitude Garden Slide Deck, Gratitude Garden Activity, Gratitude Garden Project Guide, and Gratitude Discussion Prompts

Prep

Review Materials

15 minutes

  • Review the Gratitude Garden Lesson Plan, Gratitude Garden Slide Deck, Gratitude Garden Activity, Gratitude Garden Project Guide, and Gratitude Discussion Prompts.
  • Gather all necessary physical materials: whiteboard/chart paper, markers, construction paper or printed 'Gratitude Garden' templates, and art supplies.
  • Ensure technology is ready for the slide deck presentation.

Step 1

Introduction: What is Gratitude?

10 minutes

  • Begin by asking students what they think gratitude means. Use the Gratitude Garden Slide Deck to guide this discussion.
  • Share a simple definition: Gratitude is feeling thankful and appreciative for the good things in our lives.
  • Ask students for examples of things they are thankful for (e.g., family, friends, pets, sunny days). Record their ideas on the whiteboard/chart paper.

Step 2

Gratitude Garden Activity

15 minutes

  • Introduce the Gratitude Garden Activity. Explain that they will be creating their own garden of appreciation.
  • Distribute construction paper or 'Gratitude Garden' templates and art supplies.
  • Instruct students to draw or write things they are grateful for on 'flower petals' or 'leaves' and then assemble them into a garden.
  • Encourage creativity and provide examples if needed.

Step 3

Share and Reflect

10 minutes

  • Have students share one or two items from their Gratitude Garden Activity with a partner or the whole class.
  • Facilitate a brief discussion using the Gratitude Discussion Prompts, emphasizing how expressing gratitude makes them and others feel.

Step 4

Introduce the Gratitude Project

5 minutes

  • Introduce the Gratitude Garden Project Guide as a take-home or in-class extension activity.
  • Explain that students will continue to add to their gratitude garden throughout the week, noticing new things to be thankful for.
  • Briefly explain expectations and answer any questions.
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Slide Deck

Welcome to The Gratitude Garden!

What does it mean to be thankful?

Welcome students and introduce the topic of gratitude. Ask them what the word 'gratitude' makes them think of. Encourage a few answers before moving to the definition.

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is feeling thankful and appreciative for the good things in our lives! It's noticing the good stuff, big or small!

Present a simple, age-appropriate definition of gratitude. Reinforce that it's about noticing and appreciating the good things.

What are YOU Thankful For?

Think about all the wonderful things around you!

  • Who makes you happy?
  • What things do you love to do?
  • What makes you smile?
  • What are some good things that happened today?

Prompt students to think about things they are grateful for. Give a few examples to get them started (e.g., your favorite toy, a yummy snack, a sunny day).

Planting Our Gratitude Garden

Today, we're going to plant our very own Gratitude Garden!

Each flower, leaf, or plant will represent something you are thankful for.

Introduce the main activity. Explain that they will be creating a visual representation of their gratitude. Show an example if possible.

Your Gratitude Garden Activity

  1. Get your paper and art supplies.
  2. Draw or write things you are thankful for on your 'petals' or 'leaves'.
  3. Cut them out and arrange them to make a beautiful garden.

Be creative and think of many things!

Explain the instructions for the activity clearly. Remind them to be creative.

Sharing Our Gardens

Let's share a few things from our gardens!

  • How does it feel to think about things you're thankful for?
  • How does it feel when someone is thankful for you?

Facilitate a brief sharing session. Ask students how it feels to share their gratitude and to hear what others are grateful for.

Growing Our Gratitude All Week!

You can keep adding to your Gratitude Garden every day!

Notice new things you are thankful for and add them to your garden.

Gratitude helps us feel happy and connect with others!

Introduce the project as a way to continue practicing gratitude at home or in class. Emphasize that gratitude can be an ongoing practice.

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Activity

My Gratitude Garden

Objective: To create a visual representation of the things you are thankful for.

Materials:

  • Construction paper (various colors)
  • Crayons, colored pencils, or markers
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick

Instructions:

  1. Think of things you are thankful for. These can be people, pets, toys, food, places, feelings, or anything that makes you happy!

  2. Draw or write each thing you are thankful for on a separate piece of construction paper. You can draw them as flowers, leaves, fruits, or even little friendly bugs for your garden!

    • Examples: Draw a picture of your family, write
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Project Guide

My Ongoing Gratitude Garden Project

Objective: To continue cultivating gratitude by regularly identifying and acknowledging things you are thankful for.

Project Description:
Your Gratitude Garden is a special place where you collect all the wonderful things you appreciate in your life. This project encourages you to keep your garden growing by adding new

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Discussion

Let's Talk About Gratitude!

Objective: To facilitate meaningful conversation and reflection on the topic of gratitude and its impact.

Discussion Guidelines:

  • Listen respectfully to your classmates.
  • Everyone's feelings are important.
  • There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to feelings.

Discussion Prompts:

  1. What was your favorite part about creating your Gratitude Garden?


  2. What is one thing in your garden that you are really thankful for? Why?


  3. How does it feel inside when you think about things you are thankful for? (Happy, warm, calm, excited, etc.)


  4. Can you remember a time when someone showed gratitude to you? How did that make you feel?


  5. Why do you think it's important to be thankful and express gratitude?


  6. Besides drawing or writing, what are other ways we can show gratitude to people who help us or things we appreciate?


  7. How do you think practicing gratitude might help you when you are feeling sad or upset?


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