Thank You: Understanding and Practicing Gratitude

How can noticing and appreciating what we have change the way we feel and connect with others?

Mastery Objective

• Students will be able to define gratitude and demonstrate strategies to practice gratitude.

Day 1 - Students will:

• Listen to “Gracias a la Vida” by Violeta Parra, performed by Kacey Musgraves
• Understand the concept of gratitude
• Create a gratitude list

Day 2 - Students will:

• Listen to “Thank You” by Kehlani
• Consider benefits of gratitude
• Contribute to a gratitude jar

Day 3 - Students will:

• Listen to “Toast” by Koffee
• Consider barriers to feeling or expressing gratitude
• Write a thank you letter

Day 4 - Students will:

• Listen to “THANKS” by SEVENTEEN
• Consider ways to express gratitude
• Imagine an interaction expressing gratitude

Arts-Based Activity - Students will:

• Reflect on what they are grateful for
• Write a dramatic scene between two characters expressing gratitude

In this lesson, students will consider what gratitude is, why it matters, and how to practice it. They will learn how gratitude positively impacts individual well-being and interpersonal relationships. Throughout the lesson, students will create gratitude lists, add to a class gratitude jar, write thank-you letters, and imagine scenarios.

Required for all lessons:

• Student Journals
• Art Supplies

Day 2:

• Container for gratitude jar

Arts-Based Activity:

• Handout - Gratitude Scene