11_Gratitude

In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy. —Brother David Steindl-Rast Gratitude At Home Resources Level: Lower Elementary (K-2) Concepts: • Coping Skills • Gratitude • Happiness Big Ideas For This LessonResearch shows that practicing gratitude results in benefits like increased happiness, reduced stressand depression, stronger relationships, and increased life satisfaction. In one study, scientists foundthat people who simply wrote down three things that they were grateful for everyday felt happier thanpeople who did not. The science and the emotional experience behind the act of gratitude shows thatgiving thanks can make us feel happier. Expressing gratitude to others can also change our mood. Essential Vocabulary Gratitude: The act and attitude of giving thanks. Happiness: An emotional state of joy, satisfaction, and well-being. Mood: An emotional state that lasts longer than a single emotional response.© 2017 Empowering Education, Inc. PAGE 1 of 2 All rights reserved.

GRATITUDE | GRADES K-2 PracticeCreate your own gratitude journal, and write down three things that you are grateful for every day for oneweek. Share with your class how you felt after the week.“One thing I am grateful for is __________, because_________.”Example: “One thing I am grateful for is my sister, because she has always been there for me when I needed herthe most.”*Optional: continue the gratitude journal for the rest of the month, or year.**Bonus: Write a gratitude letter to someone you care about and let them know why you are grateful.Student Resources•• DF iildl aI EBvuecrkTeet:llAYoGuuiHdeowtoLDuackilyy You Are? (Picture Book) by Dr. Seuss Book) by Carol McCloud & Katherine Happiness for Young Children (Picture Martin• Gratitude Soup (Picture Book) by Olivia Rosewood• How to Write a Gratitude Letter (Learning Link) by Greater Good Science Center• How to Write a Thank-You Letter (Informational Text) by Cecilia Minden & Kate Roth• Last Stop on Market Street (Picture Book) by Matt De La Pena Adult Resources• Gratitude Revealed (video) by Louie Schwartzberg• How to Upgrade Your Gratitude Practice (Blog) by Kira Newman• The Science of Happiness – An Experiment in Gratitude (video) by SoulPancake• What Don’t We Know About Gratitude and Youth (Bblog) by Giacomo Bono© 2017 Empowering Education, Inc. PAGE 2 of 2 All rights reserved.