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1 Gratitude circle
At the end of each day sit the class in a circle/or around the family dinner table and take it in turns to say something that they are grateful for that day eg. I’m grateful that Miss showed me how to tell the time today because it made me feel successful and it helped me to remember that I can learn things if someone shows me how. A small gift box could be held as each person speaks and then be passed on to the next person In the classroom it may be useful to have sentence starters displayed;- I am grateful that… because it made me feel… and it helped me to remember that … I’m grateful that…Paul played down ball with me at lunch-time because it made me feel ...accepted and helped me to remember that ... he is a really good friend to have. NOTICE how being grateful makes you feel... What does it do to your body? 2 Gratitude Glasses Use a novelty pair of glasses (eg Dame Edna) or imaginary ones (using hands). Whoever is wearing the glasses looks for things to be grateful for. This could also be done as a whole group/class activity… put your gratitude glasses on and go for a gratitude walk, - take it in turns to say something your are grateful for. NOTICE how being grateful makes you feel... What does it do to your body? 3 Ready, set, go! Pick an object – give groups a time limit (eg 2 mins) list as many people as they can think of that may be involved in making this object and then making it available for you to use. Emphasize how vital a role each person plays and encourage a sense of appreciation for how others contribute to make our lives easier, more enjoyable, more comfortable… What would happen if they didn’t do what they do? 4 I wonder … Pick an object (e.g. A Pencil) Take it in turns to wonder… (No one is actually required to know the answer), but may offer ideas · I wonder who was the first person to think of making a pencil. · I wonder what made them think of that · I wonder if this person liked writing · I wonder when people started to learn how to write · I wonder how life would be different if we couldn’t read or write 5 Finding out for sure If activity 4 has stimulated enough curiosity, students may choose to do some research and see if they can find any relevant facts. 6 Things I love to do/Things that make me shine- Make a collage using photos/magazines etc. Titled - Things I love to do or Things that make me shine- 7 Research - Smiling Research the benefits of smiling;- make an advertisement – · Why smiling is good for you. 8 Research - Gratitude Research the benefits of gratitude- make an advertisement – · Why gratitude is good for you 9 Blessings Book Make a class/family ‘Blessings Book Each person/family contributes a page of things they are grateful for 10 A Gratitude Journal Make daily entries into a Gratitude Journal, using the following format;- I am grateful that… because it made me feel… and it helped me to remember that … Write 3-5 things each day 11 Nature Walk As you go for a walk outside, wonder… What it feels like to be a …….., (e.g. Tree, flower, cloud, bird, sky, etc.) Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and imagine what it feels like to be a …… 12 You’ll love living here! You have a special mission. Your mission is to entice someone to live where you live. (May be the same town, state, country or planet) What would you say to convince them? What would you show them? Who would you introduce them to? What would you recommend they experience? May be presented as an advertisement, poster, song, news report etc. |
Which will you choose?