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The Gratitude Jar Challenge

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Lesson Plan

The Gratitude Jar Challenge

Students will be able to identify and express gratitude for positive aspects of their daily lives, understanding how thankfulness can impact their mood and outlook.

Practicing gratitude can significantly improve students' emotional well-being, foster a positive mindset, and enhance their social connections. This lesson provides practical tools for incorporating gratitude into their daily routine.

Audience

3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Students

Time

45-60 minutes

Approach

Through guided discussion, a hands-on activity, and reflective writing, students will cultivate gratitude.

Materials

The Gratitude Jar Challenge Slide Deck, Gratitude Jar Worksheet, Gratitude Jar Activity Instructions, Empty jars or containers (one per student or group), Small slips of paper or sticky notes, Pencils/pens, and Art supplies (optional, for decorating jars)

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What is Gratitude?

10 minutes

  • Begin with a warm-up question: "What is something small that made you smile today?" (2 minutes)
    - Introduce the concept of gratitude using The Gratitude Jar Challenge Slide Deck (Slides 1-3).
    - Lead a brief class discussion on what gratitude means and why it's important. (5 minutes)
    - Explain the lesson's objective. (3 minutes)

Step 2

The Gratitude Jar Concept

10 minutes

  • Introduce the 'Gratitude Jar Challenge' using The Gratitude Jar Challenge Slide Deck (Slides 4-5).
    - Explain that students will be creating their own gratitude jars.
    - Distribute jars and slips of paper. If decorating, allow a few minutes for this step now. (Optional: 5 minutes)

Step 3

Individual Reflection & Writing

15 minutes

  • Hand out the Gratitude Jar Worksheet.
    - Guide students through the worksheet, prompting them to think about things they are grateful for. (5 minutes)
    - Have students write down 3-5 things they are grateful for on individual slips of paper and place them in their jars. Emphasize that these can be big or small things. (10 minutes)

Step 4

Sharing & Discussion

10 minutes

  • Invite students to share one item from their gratitude jar with a partner or the whole class (if time allows and students are comfortable). (5 minutes)
    - Facilitate a brief discussion on how it felt to identify and share things they are grateful for. Refer to The Gratitude Jar Challenge Slide Deck (Slide 6) for discussion prompts. (5 minutes)

Step 5

Wrap-up & Challenge

5 minutes

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Slide Deck

What Made You Smile Today?

Think for a moment:
What is something small, even tiny, that brought a smile to your face today, yesterday, or even this week?





Share your thoughts with a neighbor!

Greet students warmly. Start with an engaging question to activate prior knowledge and set a positive tone. This helps students immediately connect to the theme of the lesson.

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is being thankful and appreciative.

It's about noticing and valuing the good things in your life, no matter how big or small.




It's like looking for sunshine even on a cloudy day! ☀️

Introduce the term 'gratitude'. Explain it in simple, child-friendly language. Emphasize that it's about noticing the good things, not just big presents or events.

Why is Gratitude Important?

When we practice gratitude, we often feel:

  • Happier! 😊
  • More positive! ✨
  • Connected to others! 🤗

It helps us see the good and feel good!

Discuss why gratitude is important. Connect it to feelings and how it can make us happier. Ask students for examples of things they are grateful for.

The Gratitude Jar Challenge!

Today, we're going to start a special challenge: The Gratitude Jar Challenge!

Imagine a jar filled with all your happy, thankful thoughts. Every time you feel grateful, you write it down and put it in your jar!

Introduce the concept of a Gratitude Jar. Explain that it's a physical way to collect and remember thankful moments. Show an example if possible.

How Does It Work?

You will:

  1. Think about things you are grateful for.
  2. Write them down on slips of paper.
  3. Place them in your very own Gratitude Jar!

Later, you can look back at your jar and remember all the wonderful things.

Explain the mechanics of the challenge and what students will be doing. Connect it to the worksheet and activity they will complete.

Sharing Our Thanks

Let's share one thing from our jars!

  • How did it feel to think of things you're grateful for?
  • Was it easy or tricky?
  • How do you think remembering these things can help you?

Guide the sharing and discussion part of the lesson. Provide prompts for students to reflect on their experience.

Keep the Gratitude Flowing!

Your challenge is to keep adding to your jar!

Let's make gratitude a daily habit and fill our lives with thankfulness. You've got this!

Conclude the lesson by encouraging continued practice. Emphasize that gratitude is a powerful habit. A positive closing statement reinforces the main message.

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Worksheet

Gratitude Jar Worksheet

Name: _________________________ Date: _________________________

What are you grateful for today?

Think about your life, your friends, your family, your school, and even the small moments that make you happy. Write down things you are grateful for in the spaces below. Try to think of at least 3 things!

  1. Something I am grateful for at home:






  2. Something I am grateful for at school:






  3. Something I am grateful for about myself:






  4. A small moment that made me happy today:






  5. Someone I am grateful for and why:






Now, choose your favorite 3-5 ideas and write each one on a separate slip of paper to put in your Gratitude Jar! 🎉

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Activity

Gratitude Jar Activity Instructions

Get Ready to Be Grateful!

This activity is all about noticing and celebrating the good things in your life. You'll create your own special Gratitude Jar!

Materials You'll Need:

  • An empty jar, container, or small box (your Gratitude Jar!)
  • Small slips of paper or sticky notes
  • Pencils, pens, or markers
  • (Optional) Art supplies like stickers, glitter, colored paper to decorate your jar

Instructions:

  1. Decorate Your Jar (Optional): If you have art supplies, make your jar look special! You can draw on it, add stickers, or write "My Gratitude Jar" on it.

  2. Think of Things You're Grateful For: Use the Gratitude Jar Worksheet to help you brainstorm. Think about:

    • People you love (family, friends, pets)
    • Things you have (a warm bed, your favorite toy, a good book)
    • Experiences you enjoy (playing outside, a yummy meal, a funny moment)
    • Qualities about yourself (kindness, bravery, creativity)
    • Anything else that makes you feel happy or lucky!

  3. Write Them Down: For each thing you are grateful for, write it down on a separate slip of paper. You can write a few words or a full sentence. For example: "My dog, Buster, because he always cuddles me." or "Sunny days."

  4. Add to Your Jar: Fold your slips of paper and put them inside your Gratitude Jar.

  5. Keep Going! The challenge is to keep adding to your jar every day or whenever you feel grateful. At the end of the week, or whenever you need a boost, open your jar and read some of your gratitude slips. See how many amazing things you have to be thankful for!

Why do this activity? Focusing on gratitude can make you feel happier, more positive, and help you appreciate all the good things around you!

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