A Heart Full of Thanks Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will explore and practice what it means to feel gratitude.

 

Social-emotional Learning Focus:

gratitude

 

CCSS:

SL.1.2 Discuss a video; L.1.4 Clarify words and phrases; RI.1.1 Key details; RI.1.4 Vocabulary; W.1.1 Opinion writing; L.1.2.B Use end punctuation; RI.1.10 Read and discuss first-grade texts, L.1.1 Conventions of English when writing

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  • Watch out video Being Thankful!
  • Afterward, have children turn and talk to a partner about things they are thankful for. (SKILL: SL.1.2 Discuss a video)
  • Play the vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured word is gratitude. (SKILL: L.1.4 Clarify words and phrases)
  • Read the issue together.
  • Get kids up and moving with the Dance Break video. 
  • Then project and discuss the reading checkpoint skill sheet. Later, children can fill in their own copies. (SKILL: RI.1.1 Key details)
  • Kids can build vocabulary with our Thankful Search and Find game. (SKILL: RI.1.4 Vocabulary)
  • Kids can use this skill sheet to start a daily gratitude writing practice. (SKILL: W.1.1 Opinion writing)
  • Kids practice using the correct punctuation mark with this skill sheet. (SKILL: L.1.2.B Use end punctuation)
Example of a gratitude jar

Objective: feeling and expresssing gratitude.

Materials: clear glass jar, slips of paper, pencils

  • This activity can be done with students in the classroom or at home with families. Take a clear glass jar and, if you like, decorate it. You might tie a ribbon around it, write or draw on it with permanent markers, or put stickers on it. 
  • Keep a supply of paper strips and pencils next to the jar. Any time someone notices something they are grateful for, or that makes them happy, they should write it on a slip of paper and place it in the jar. It can be anything, from a sunny day to reading a story.
  • Encourage kids (and adults!) to put at least one piece of paper in the jar each day. When the jar is full, kids can come up and read what they wrote. Then have a celebration—there is so much to be grateful for! 

(SKILL: L.1.1 Conventions of English when writing)