Gratitude
GRADES K-2

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Learning Goal

Students will gain an understanding of the meaning and value of gratitude.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lessons, students will be able to:

  • Describe what gratitude is
  • Identify several people, places, or things they are grateful for
Learning Summary

Studies have shown that when we practice gratitude, happiness goes up, stress and depression goes down, and we are able to build stronger relationships with those around us. This lesson provides students time and space to think about and practice gratitude.

The lesson starts with a mindfulness listening activity in which students pay attention to the sounds around them. The Munchy and Jumpy story describes Jumpy grumpily raking the leaves. Then, on a double-day gone wrong, Jumpy sees what it feels like to be starkly alone in the world. Finally, on a second more successful double day, Jumpy learns to appreciate her life, raking and all. After the story, the students take time to focus on all they are grateful for in a mindfulness gratitude activity. Following the activity, the classroom participates in a gratitude circle, sharing one thing they are grateful for and why. Students end by drawing in their journals two things they are grateful for.

computer icon Online Teaching Tips for Gratitude

For the listening mindful moment, have some fun and make some different noises on your end to see if the students can point them out (examples: animal sound clips, a bell, etc.). For both recorded and live options, the Munchy and Jumpy story is the anchor of the lesson and the gratitude visualization can be led by the teacher. Make sure to leave pauses during the visualization for students to imagine all the people and things they are grateful for. 

There are some great video options to add into either recorded or live deliveries found under the lesson variation section. 

Finally, encourage students to think of ways they can show gratitude to their family or caregivers while at home learning! 

For the gratitude circle discussion, have students share through their microphone or chat box something they are grateful for. 

Instead of the gratitude circle discussion, have students complete the journal page drawing something they are grateful for.

CASEL Competencies

Self-awareness: The abilities to understand one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior across contexts. This includes capacities to recognize one’s strengths and limitations with a well-grounded sense of confidence and purpose.