February: Gratitude Journals
Objective:
Students will develop self-compassion and resilience by keeping a daily gratitude journal. At the end of the lesson, students will be able to: Demonstrate self-compassion and resilience by regularly practicing gratitude. Improve their writing skills by maintaining a daily gratitude journal. Enhance their reflective thinking by discussing and sharing their gratitude experiences.
Materials Needed:
- Journals or notebooks
- Pens and markers
- Stickers and decorations
- Sample gratitude prompts
Lesson Plan:
1. Introduction (5 minutes)
Teacher’s Role: Explain self-compassion and resilience, and introduce the concept of gratitude. Discuss the benefits of keeping a gratitude journal.
Discussion Points:
- What is self-compassion and resilience?
- How does gratitude help build these qualities?
- Examples of gratitude in daily life.
2. Creating Journals (5 minutes)
Teacher’s Role: Examples of gratitude in daily life.
Activity: Students decorate their journals with stickers and markers.
3. Daily Writing (5 minutes/day)
Teacher’s Role: Guide students to write daily entries about things they are thankful for. Encourage them to write at least three things each day.
Activity: Students write daily gratitude entries.
4. Sharing (5 minutes/week)
Teacher’s Role: Create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable sharing their gratitude.
Activity: Allow students to share entries weekly.
5. Reflection (5 minutes)
Teacher’s Role: Reflect on how keeping a gratitude journal has helped them. Discuss any changes they have noticed in their attitudes or feelings.
Activity: How has gratitude journaling affected you? What have you learned about self-compassion and resilience?
Assessment:
- Observe student participation in creating and decorating journals.
- Evaluate the consistency and thoughtfulness of daily entries.
- Note students’ engagement during weekly sharing and reflection discussions.