Heartfelt Thanks Lesson PlanHeartfelt Thanks Lesson Plan • Social-Emotional Learning Duration 30 Mins Why This Matters Expressing gratitude strengthens friendships, builds a supportive community, and helps students recognize the good in others. This skill is vital for positive social interactions and emotional well-being. Materials Needed Heartfelt Thanks Slide Deck Gratitude Jar slips Small jar or container Pencils & Crayons Gratitude Exit Tickets Objective Students will identify and articulate one positive quality or action they appreciate about each classmate in their small group. Lesson Procedure 1 Warm-Up: Share a Smile (5 min) Ask students to share one thing that made them smile recently related to a classmate. Use the "Share a Smile" prompt card to get them thinking about positive interactions. 2 Introduction to Gratitude (5 min) Display the Slide Deck. Introduce the concept of gratitude. Ask students what it means to be grateful. Share an example of gratitude for someone in the group to model the behavior. 3 Gratitude Jar Activity (15 min) Explain that each student will write one thing they appreciate about each other person in the group. Collect slips and place them in the jar. Circulate to provide support and encourage thoughtful, specific responses. 4 Cool Down: Exit Ticket (5 min) Conclude with the Exit Ticket. Have students reflect on how they feel after focusing on appreciation and kindness. Teacher Tip "Ensure the environment feels safe and supportive. If a student is struggling to find something positive, prompt them with: 'What is something they are good at?' or 'When was a time they were helpful?'"
Heartfelt Thanks Slide DeckHeartfelt Thanks Appreciating Our Classmates! "Welcome! Today we're thinking about and sharing kind words about each other." What is Gratitude? Gratitude is feeling and showing thankfulness for something good. It's noticing and appreciating the good things people do! Let's Talk: How does it feel when someone is grateful to you? How does it feel to show gratitude to someone else? Show Some Love! Today, we're going to show our classmates how much we appreciate them! Think About specific things people do. Notice What makes them special. Write Fill our Gratitude Jar with kind words! Be Specific and Kind! When you write your messages, think about: 1 What specific thing did your classmate do? 2 What quality do you admire about them? EXAMPLES "Thank you for always listening when I talk!" "I appreciate your funny jokes that make me laugh!"
Share a Smile Warm Up CardShare a Smile Instructions Think about something a classmate in our small group did recently that made you smile or feel good. It could be something small, like helping you, sharing, or saying something kind. The Prompt "Be ready to share your thought with the group! What made you smile today?"
Gratitude Jar ActivityGratitude Jar Activity Sharing Kind Words Objective To write and share specific expressions of gratitude for each classmate in our group. How to Fill the Jar Receive your slips of paper (you'll need 5 – one for each classmate). Think about each classmate. What is something specific you appreciate about them? Write a kind message on each slip. Do not write your name. These are anonymous! Fold your slips and place them in the Gratitude Jar. Remember to be Specific! "I appreciate when you helped me pick up my pencils." "Thank you for always telling funny stories!" "I like how you always share your ideas." 🫙 Our Group's Gratitude Jar ✨ ❤️ 🌟 Gratitude Slips Cut along the dotted lines. Write one specific thank-you note for each classmate. Gratitude Note To: Gratitude Note To: Gratitude Note To: Gratitude Note To: Gratitude Note To: Gratitude Note To: Gratitude Note To: Gratitude Note To:
Gratitude Exit TicketGratitude Exit Ticket Thinking back on our session today... Name Date 1 How do you feel after our Gratitude Jar activity today? Happy and grateful! A little confused Not much different Sad or upset 2 What was your favorite thing someone wrote for you? (Or draw it below!)
