Grateful Hearts Lesson Plan
Grateful Hearts, Happy Class!
Lesson Plan • 1st Grade Social-Emotional Learning
30 min
Learning Objective
Students will be able to define gratitude and identify at least two actionable ways to show gratitude towards their classmates and teachers in the classroom setting.
Why This Matters
Practicing gratitude helps students feel happier, appreciate others, and build a more positive and supportive classroom community, fostering a respectful and kind learning environment.
Preparation
- Review the Grateful Hearts Slide Deck and Teacher Script.
- Print Classroom Gratitude Worksheets (1 per student).
- Gather crayons or colored pencils.
- Ensure whiteboard or projector is ready.
Materials Needed
Whiteboard/Projector Grateful Hearts Slide Deck Markers/Pens Classroom Gratitude Worksheet Crayons/Colored Pencils
Instructional Steps
5m
Introduction: What is Gratitude?
Welcome & Hook: Ask students: "What makes you feel happy or thankful?" Use slide 1 to introduce the idea of thankfulness.
Define Gratitude: Use the slide deck and script to explain gratitude: being thankful for the good things and people in our lives.
10m
Exploring Gratitude in the Classroom
Discussion: Show slides illustrating classroom gratitude. Ask students for examples of when they felt grateful for a classmate or teacher.
Brainstorm: List specific actions to show gratitude (saying "thank you", helping, listening) on the board.
10m
Gratitude Worksheet Activity
Distribution: Hand out the Classroom Gratitude Worksheet and art supplies.
Activity: Students draw or write about people/things they are grateful for and how they can show that gratitude. Remind them of the class brainstorm.
5m
Wrap-Up: Sharing and Reflection
Share: Invite students to share their completed worksheets. Why is this person/thing important?
Reflection: Emphasize that gratitude makes everyone feel good. Complete the Grateful Goodbye exit ticket.
Grateful Hearts Slides
What Makes You Feel Thankful?
Grateful Hearts • Slide 1
Morning Warm-Up
Good morning, wonderful first graders!
Today, we're going to talk about something that makes our hearts feel happy and our classroom even better.
I want you to close your eyes for just a moment and think about something that makes you feel really, really happy or thankful.
Maybe it's a sunny day, your favorite toy, or a yummy snack.
A sunny day
A favorite toy
A yummy snack
What comes to mind?
Grateful Hearts • Slide 2
Content Objective
Our Learning Goal
"I will be able to define gratitude and identify at least two actionable ways to show gratitude towards my classmates and teachers in the classroom setting."
1
Define Gratitude
Explain what being thankful means!
2
Show Gratitude
Name 2 kind actions for our class!
Grateful Hearts • Slide 3
What is Gratitude?
Gratitude means being thankful for the good things in your life.
It's about noticing and appreciating what makes you happy!
Grateful Hearts • Slide 4
Being Thankful at School
💭
"Now, let's think about our classroom. What are some things or people right here that we can be grateful for?"
Our School
9:00 AM
Classmates
Teachers
Welcome to 1st Grade!
School Day Safe & Happy
Class Friends
Sharing toys, building blocks together, and being a kind friend!
"Thank you for sharing!"
Our Teachers
Reading fun stories, teaching us new things, and helping us grow!
"Thank you for helping!"
Books & Tools
Bright crayons, storybooks, paper, and counting blocks to explore!
"I love drawing & books!"
Recess & Play
Taking turns on slides, playing tag outside, and laughing together!
"Recess makes us smile!"
Who or what would you like to thank in our school today?
Grateful Hearts • Slide 5
How Can We Show Gratitude?
Saying "Thank You!"
Helping a Friend
Listening Well
Giving a Compliment
Drawing a Picture
Grateful Hearts • Slide 6
Grateful Hearts, Happy Class!
When we show gratitude, we make our classroom a happier place!
Let's think of one way we can show gratitude today!
Grateful Hearts • Slide 7