thanks

Gratitude is defined as the feeling or expression of thankfulness and appreciation toward yourself, others, people, places, or things. In the US, Thanksgiving is the main holiday that celebrates gratitude and encourages us to be appreciative. However, gratitude is not something we should just express on Thanksgiving. We should share our gratitude all year long.

Teaching Gratitude

Gratitude isn’t always an emotion that everyone is able to express. Students may need direction and guidance from you when it comes to discussing gratitude. Studies show that when students practice expressing their feelings, they have higher levels of optimism, increased life satisfaction, and decreased negative feelings. Additionally, students who regularly express gratitude appreciate close relationships and feel better about their life and school.

Activities

Below are a few simple ideas that you can use to teach students about gratitude and to practice giving thanks.

Alphabet Gratitude

Have your students write each letter of the alphabet and try to come up with at least one item they are grateful for under each letter. This ABC Chart Google Doc template would be perfect to share with your students. To extend this activity, students can choose a few words from their list to write a poem or short story.

Gratitude Jar

A gratitude jar is the perfect way to help students think about and recognize the things they have to be thankful for. The idea behind the jar is for students to write down something they are grateful for on a piece of paper and place it in the jar. Then, on a specified date, students can draw out and share. This activity is a great way for them to focus on positive things. You can make the jar a part of your regular classroom routine or you can have students jot down things as they think of them.

If you aren’t able to create and have an actual jar in your classroom, you can always use a digital jar. Check out this gratitude jar Google Drawing template that I created. Students can fill their jar own jar throughout the year.

Bulletin Boards

Create a bulletin board or a gratitude wall in your hallway or classroom. This is an easy way to focus on thankfulness and gratitude during the fall months. It’s a great way to cultivate a positive environment. You can find ideas here and here.

Bitmoji virtual classrooms are popular as well. So why not create a bitmoji bulletin board in your Google Classroom or other LMS. You could call it a “board of thanks.” Encourage your students to express their appreciation by sharing things, people, places, events, etc. that they are thankful for. You can then “pin” these to the board to create a powerful visual for your students. Katania Trudeau creates thankful rooms for her classrooms. Check out her bitmoji templates here. In addition, be sure to check out Jeanine Mele’s virtual room focused on gratitude.

Gratitude Journal

With this activity, encourage your students to keep a journal so they can express what they are grateful for. They can write daily or weekly for a few minutes. You can also give students writing prompts such as “I am thankful for . . .” Students may want to draw pictures as well. The journals can be kept private or shared with the class. Check out this big list of gratitude journal prompts to get started.

The Thankful Tree

This collaborative activity allows students to list what they are thankful for by placing leaves on a tree. This Google Slide template was created by Madeline Martinez, who assigned one slide to each student in her class. She then created a Thankful ebook out of the slides.

Gratitude Gram

This last activity is one for you, the teacher. Model thankfulness by sending gratitude grams to your students, parents, or colleagues. This template created by Dawn Killiany is an example of what she sends to her students.

How are you teaching thankfulness and gratitude with your students? I would love to hear your ideas in the comments.

More Resources

You’ll Be Thankful for the Gobble Gobble Breakout
Ready-to-Use Thanksgiving Activities
Thanksgiving Digital Resources
11 Thanksgiving Resources
Gratitude Towers for Social Emotional Learning
Celebrating Native American Heritage Day
Give Thanks with Google Forms

New information was added to this blog on November 21, 2016.

As we prepare to celebrate this season of thanksgiving with our family and friends, the TCEA staff took time to also think about what we are most thankful for. And overwhelmingly, it was you, our members. Here’s what a few of them said:

“I am thankful to work with educators who are truly dedicated to bringing out the best in their students and colleagues, and who continue to strengthen their campuses, districts, and communities with the work they do every day.” Carrie McFarland, Director of Member Services
“I am thankful that TCEA has a big hand in helping our future generations.” Ashley Weilert, Professional Development Administrative Assistant
“I am thankful to work with a phenomenal staff, board, and volunteers that are passionate about serving our members and supporting their efforts in transforming teaching and learning – and having fun along the way.” Kristy Breaux, Associate Director
“I’m thankful that I get to work with teachers, librarians, principals, and tech directors who are passionate about making a difference in the classroom. They recognize that the task is not easy but very critical. I’m also thankful for those teachers who are willing to risk trying a new tool, app, or strategy to support their students’ learning in a 21st century way.” Dr. Bruce Ellis, Senior Director of Professional Development
“There are so many things I am thankful for as an employee, and would like to say this is truly an AWESOME place to work for!” Janny Vasquez, Office Assistant
“I’m thankful for the team of staff members here at TCEA that make my job go hand and hand with everyone! I’m also thankful for the staff members’ smiles that are always on their faces… especially when we are working as a team to move tables and chairs together!” Margaret Cathey, Director of Accounting
“I’m thankful for the limitless uses of technology in the world today, the ever-changing trends that keep us learning, and the happiness we feel when that technology enriches another’s child life for the better.” Meaghan Rhame, Conferences Services Coordinator
“I am thankful to work in a nice environment with an office staff that happily and responsively supports our members’ needs.” Erin Taylor, Membership Assistant
“I am thankful for my PLN, which is composed of educators I have met through either being a TCEA member or being a TCEA staff member. My awesome PLN give me ideas and resources that I pass along to other educators. I also give my PLN cred because this network helps me grow professionally.” Peggy Reimers, Director of Professional Development
From our Director of IT and Communications, Matt Dawson: “My co-workers and technology.”
“I’m thankful for: laughter and teamwork at TCEA.” Sherry Wagner, Events and Exhibits Coordinator
“I am thankful for our teachers, who make learning come alive for students every day; our technology leaders, who lead by example; our students because they are the reason we do what we do; our Lunch and Learn fanatics; and our dedicated certification participants, who are lifelong learners.” Diana Benner, Director of Professional Development
“I am thankful for the ability, and encouragement I receive, to be creative in my efforts as a designer and the chance to work on projects that, hopefully, get educators excited about improving both their classrooms, and themselves.” Ben Starr, Graphics Design Specialist
“I‘m thankful that I’m part of an organization that helps its members to excel in the classroom.” Sammy Unberhagen, Events and Exhibits Manager
“I am thankful to work for an organization that makes an impact on our future. I am thankful we are able to meet the needs of so many and have the opportunity to explore new and improved methods. And I am thankful that we are growing year by year, allowing us to reach more people.” Katie Treat, Executive Assistant

And I want to add that I am so very, very grateful for every one of you who are making a difference in the lives of children each day. Happy Thanksgiving!

Gratitude Activities for Your Classroom