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The Gratitude Garden

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Lesson Plan

The Gratitude Garden

Students will reflect on and express gratitude, shifting their perspective towards positivity and resilience, and identify sources of appreciation in their lives, fostering a deeper sense of well-being and connection.

Practicing gratitude can significantly enhance emotional health, improve relationships, and promote a more positive outlook on life, equipping students with valuable coping mechanisms.

Audience

8th Grade Students

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Interactive journaling and a collaborative activity to foster appreciation and well-being.

Materials

Whiteboard or Projector, Markers or Pens, Gratitude Journal, Gratitude Garden Activity Cards, Construction Paper (various colors), Scissors, and Glue or Tape

Prep

Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What is Gratitude?

10 minutes

  • Begin with a warm welcome and introduce the lesson's title: "The Gratitude Garden: Cultivating Appreciation."
    - Ask students: "What does gratitude mean to you? When do you feel grateful?" Allow for a brief class discussion.
    - Explain that gratitude is more than just saying 'thank you'; it's about appreciating the good things in our lives, big or small, and how this can make us happier and more resilient. (Refer to Slide Deck: The Gratitude Garden slides 1-3)

Step 2

Individual Reflection: Gratitude Journaling

20 minutes

  • Distribute the Gratitude Journal to each student.
    - Guide students through the prompts in the journal, encouraging them to think deeply about different aspects of their lives they are grateful for.
    - Emphasize that this is a personal reflection and there are no right or wrong answers. (Refer to Slide Deck: The Gratitude Garden slides 4-5)

Step 3

Collaborative Activity: Building Our Gratitude Garden

25 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
    - Explain the "Gratitude Garden" activity: Each group will create a small garden display, with each flower representing something they are grateful for.
    - Distribute construction paper, scissors, glue, and Gratitude Garden Activity Cards.
    - Instruct students to write something they are grateful for on each card, decorate it, and then attach it to a "stem" and "leaf" cut from construction paper to create a flower.
    - Encourage groups to share their gratitude flowers with each other and discuss why they chose those items. (Refer to Slide Deck: The Gratitude Garden slides 6-8)

Step 4

Wrap-up and Sharing

5 minutes

  • Bring the class back together.
    - Ask a few volunteers to share one thing from their gratitude garden and explain why it's meaningful to them.
    - Reiterate the importance of regularly practicing gratitude to cultivate a positive mindset and overall well-being. (Refer to Slide Deck: The Gratitude Garden slides 9-10)
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Slide Deck

Welcome to The Gratitude Garden!

Today, we're going to explore something powerful: Gratitude.

What does GRATITUDE mean to you?

Welcome students and introduce the lesson. Engage them with a question to activate prior knowledge about gratitude.

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is more than just saying "thank you."

It's about appreciating the good things in our lives—big or small.

It helps us feel happier and more resilient!

Define gratitude for students, expanding beyond just saying 'thank you.' Explain its impact on well-being.

Why Does Gratitude Matter?

When we focus on what we appreciate, our perspective shifts:

  • More Positivity: You notice the good things more.
  • Stronger Relationships: You appreciate others more.
  • Increased Resilience: You can handle challenges better.
  • Better Emotional Health!

Encourage students to think about everyday examples of gratitude.

Your Gratitude Journal

Now, it's your turn to reflect!

We'll use our Gratitude Journal to think about:

  • People you appreciate
  • Things you enjoy
  • Experiences that make you happy

This is for your reflection. No right or wrong answers!

Introduce the Gratitude Journal and explain its purpose. Emphasize personal reflection.

Time to Cultivate Your Thoughts!

Take some time to write in your Gratitude Journal.

Think about different areas of your life: family, friends, school, hobbies, nature, small moments of joy.

Be honest and open with yourself.

Provide clear instructions for the journaling activity and manage time.

Building Our Gratitude Garden

Now, let's create something together!

In small groups, you will build a "Gratitude Garden."

Each "flower" in your garden will represent something you are grateful for.

Introduce the group activity and its objective.

How to Grow Your Garden

  1. Get your Gratitude Garden Activity Cards, construction paper, scissors, and glue.
  2. On each Gratitude Garden Activity Cards, write something you are grateful for.
  3. Decorate your cards!
  4. Cut out flower shapes, stems, and leaves from construction paper.
  5. Attach your decorated cards to your flowers.

Explain the materials and steps for creating the gratitude flowers.

Share Your Petals of Appreciation!

Work together in your groups.

Talk about why you chose each item of gratitude.

Help each other make beautiful flowers for your garden!

Encourage group discussion and collaboration.

Share & Reflect

Let's share some of the beautiful flowers from our Gratitude Garden!

  • What was one thing you added to your garden?
  • How did it feel to focus on gratitude?

Facilitate a class share-out and reinforce the main lesson.

Keep Cultivating Gratitude!

Remember, gratitude is a practice.

The more you practice it, the more positivity and happiness you invite into your life.

Look for the good, even on tough days!

Conclude the lesson by emphasizing the ongoing practice of gratitude.

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Journal

My Gratitude Garden Journal

Take a moment to reflect on the good things in your life. Even on challenging days, there are always reasons to be grateful.

Prompt 1: People I Appreciate

Think about the people in your life who make a difference. Who are you grateful for, and why? Describe a specific time they helped you or made you smile.












Prompt 2: Things I Enjoy

What are some things you have that you are grateful for? This could be physical items, hobbies, or even simple comforts. Why are these things important to you?












Prompt 3: Experiences that Made Me Happy

Recall a recent experience that brought you joy, peace, or a sense of accomplishment. What happened, and why are you grateful for that moment?












Prompt 4: Small Moments of Gratitude

Sometimes, it's the little things that make a big difference. What are some small, everyday moments you are grateful for today? (e.g., a sunny day, a good song, a tasty snack)












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Activity

Gratitude Garden Activity Cards

Instructions for Students:

  1. On each card below, write down one thing you are grateful for. Try to think of different things for each card!
  2. Cut out each card along the dotted lines.
  3. Use construction paper to create flower petals, a stem, and leaves for each of your gratitude cards.
  4. Glue or tape your gratitude card onto your flower creation.
  5. Share your gratitude flowers with your group and discuss why you chose these things.

Card 1: Someone I Appreciate

I am grateful for:




Why I am grateful:




Card 2: Something I Have

I am grateful for:




Why I am grateful:




Card 3: An Experience I Enjoyed

I am grateful for:




Why I am grateful:




Card 4: A Simple Joy

I am grateful for:




Why I am grateful:




Card 5: A Skill or Talent

I am grateful for:




Why I am grateful:




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