Thankful Hearts Slides Kindergarten Circle Time
Social-Emotional Learning
Thankful Hearts
Learning what it means to feel grateful for the people, places, and things we love!
Notice Good Things
Feel It in Your Heart
Say Thank You!
What Does It Mean to Be Thankful?
Explore Together
A Warm Feeling Inside
Being thankful is when you stop, think, and feel happy about something kind or special in your life.
Like an Invisible Hug
When someone shares a toy or gives you a hug, your heart says: "I am so glad you did that!"
Question: What is something that made you smile today?
Thankful for the People in Our Lives
Our Helpers & Friends
Our Families
They care for us, cook yummy meals, and tuck us into bed.
Our Teachers
They teach us new games, read stories, and keep us safe.
Our Friends
They share blocks, play tag, laugh, and listen to our ideas.
Community Helpers
Bus drivers, doctors, librarians, and cafeteria helpers!
Turn & Talk with a Neighbor:
"Who is one person you want to say thank you to today?"
Thankful for Everyday Wonders
Simple Joys
Tasty Food
Crisp apples, warm soup, crunchy snacks, and cool water.
Places to Play
The playground swings, the cozy reading rug, and green grass.
Cozy Comforts
Soft blankets, fluffy pets, favorite books, and teddy bears.
💡 Remember: You do not need fancy toys to feel thankful!
Thankful Movement Chant!
Stand Up & Move
1
Put hands on heart: "Thump, thump, thump!"
2
Take a deep breath in: "Ahhhh, peace!"
3
Clap your hands together: "Clap, clap, clap!"
4
Stomp your happy feet: "Stomp, stomp, stomp!"
Together now: "I have a thankful heart!" ✨
How Can We Show We Are Thankful?
Actions & Words
Say "Thank You!"
Use kind words with a big smile whenever someone helps you.
Give Helping Hands
Help clean up crayons, hold the door, or share with a friend.
Make a Gift of Art
Draw a picture or write your name to show someone you care.
Kindness makes both you and the other person feel wonderful!
Our Thankful Mission Today!
Activity Time
Fill Your Thankful Heart!
On your activity page, you will draw 4 special things that make your heart happy:
A person you love
A favorite food or treat
A place you love to play
Something that makes you smile
"I am thankful for..."
Get your crayons ready! Let's fill our classroom with gratitude and joy!
🌟 Tip: There is no wrong answer—draw whatever makes your heart feel thankful!
Thankful Hearts Teacher Guide SEL • Social Awareness
Thankful Hearts: Teacher Guide
Grade K • 35–45 min
Gratitude & Kindness Focus
Learning Goals
Students define feeling thankful, name 3+ things they appreciate, and express gratitude aloud.
Key Vocabulary
Thankful: Happy inside for something good.
Materials Needed
Slides, Activity Sheet (1 per child), crayons, a soft stuffed toy (for passing), chart paper.
1
Circle Time Warm-Up & Read-Aloud Hook (10 mins)
Slides 1 & 2
Teacher Script / Hook: "Friends, place both hands over your chest. Can you feel your heartbeat? Thump, thump, thump. Inside our chest is a heart that feels happy, excited, and warm. Today we are talking about a very special feeling: being thankful !"
Recommended Read-Aloud Pairings (choose one):
The Thankful Book by Todd Parr (accessible, colorful illustrations of everyday joys).Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson (friendship and sharing a warm meal together).Thankful by Elaine Vickers (gentle celebration of senses, warmth, and bedtime).
Checking for Understanding: Ask children to give a "thumbs up" if they ever had a friend share a crayon or a parent give them a warm bedtime hug. Explain that the warm, happy feeling is called gratitude .
2
Interactive Slide Discussion & Turn-and-Talk (12 mins)
Slides 3 & 4
Slide 3: People in Our Lives
Guide students to name caregivers, teachers, bus drivers, and cafeteria staff who make them feel safe.
Turn & Talk Prompt: "Turn knee-to-knee with your neighbor. Tell them one person you are thankful for and why!" (Model first: "I am thankful for Mrs. Rivera because she brings us snacks." )
Slide 4: Everyday Simple Joys
Shift focus away from expensive toys. Guide children toward everyday comforts: warm soup, cozy socks, and recess swings.
Call & Response: Teacher: "Do we need fancy toys to be thankful?" Class: "No! Simple things make happy hearts!"
Facilitation Tip: Accept all genuine kindergarten answers—including quirky ones like "my pet goldfish" or "macaroni and cheese." Validate that gratitude comes in all sizes!
Thankful Hearts • Kindergarten SEL Lesson Plan Page 1 of 2
Movement, Practice & Differentiation
Classroom Practice & Assessment
Part 3, 4 & 5
3
Thankful Movement Break & Body Chant (5 mins)
Slide 5
Have all students stand up with safe personal space. Practice this kinesthetic chant with exaggerated gestures:
❤️ 1. Chest Hand on heart: Thump, thump, thump!
🌬️ 2. Lungs Deep breath: Ahhh, fresh air!
👏 3. Hands Clap hands: Thank you helpers!
🦶 4. Feet Stomp feet: Thank you feet!
4
Independent Thankful Hearts Activity Sheet (12–15 mins)
Slides 6 & 7
Modeling (3 mins): Project the Thankful Hearts Activity Sheet. Show students the four quadrants inside the large heart frame:
Person I Love: Draw mom, dad, grandparent, teacher, or friend.
Favorite Food: Draw apples, pizza, pancakes, or bananas.
Place to Play: Draw sandbox, slide, bedroom rug, or backyard.
Makes Me Smile: Draw a pet, stuffed bear, music, or sunshine.
Teacher Circulating Role: Move between tables. Ask children: "Tell me about your picture!" Offer to write student dictations on the bottom line if they want their words recorded.
Closing Circle: Pass the Heart (5 mins)
Gather back on the rug. Pass a soft plush heart or ball around the circle.
Each child holds the heart and shares one word: "Today I am thankful for [_____]." Allow students to say "Pass" if shy.
Differentiation & Support
ELL / Multilingual: Provide visual picture cards (food, family, playground) for inspiration; encourage drawing first.Fine Motor Support: Offer thick triangular crayons; accept scribbles with verbal explanation.Early Finishers: Color the decorative heart border and practice tracing the word "THANKFUL".
Informal Assessment Look-Fors:
Student names at least one person or item. Demonstrates verbal or physical engagement. Uses drawings or marks to represent gratitude.
Thankful Hearts • Kindergarten SEL Lesson Plan Page 2 of 2
Thankful Hearts Activity Sheet My Thankful Heart!
Draw or color what makes your heart feel happy and grateful.
Name:
Date:
Draw inside each box. When you finish, share your picture with a friend!
4 Things I Love
1 A Person I Love
Mom, dad, teacher, brother, sister, or friend
2 A Yummy Food
Apples, pancakes, pizza, soup, or fruit
3 A Place I Love to Play
The playground swings, park, or classroom rug
4 Makes Me Smile!
A cuddly pet, soft toy, warm sunshine, or song
Kindergarten Sentence Strip: (Trace or dictate with your teacher)
I am thankful for:
Thankful Days Reading Passage Kindergarten Early Reader
I Am Thankful!
Name:
Date:
Sight Words:
I am for my see
Read 3 times:
Pointer Finger Ready!
Touch each word as you read
I have a thankful heart.
I am thankful for my family.
I am thankful for my friends.
I am thankful for yummy food.
I am thankful for sunny days.
Being thankful makes me smile!
?
Comprehension Check
1. What does being thankful make me do?
A Cry
B Smile
C Sleep
2. Who is the story thankful for? (Fill in the circle)
A Family and friends
B Monsters and dragons
3. Draw one thing you are thankful for:
Thankful Hearts • Kindergarten Reading & SEL Fluency & Comprehension
