November is the perfect time to slow down, look for the good around us, and help our students practice gratitude. In the classroom, thankfulness can be about so much more than saying “thank you.” It can be about noticing the people who help us, appreciating the little things, and finding ways to show others that they matter.
Here are some easy and meaningful ways to celebrate a season of thankfulness with your little learners!
One of the most meaningful ways to practice thankfulness is to actually tell someone why you are thankful for them. Have each student choose someone who has made a difference in their life. It could be a parent, grandparent, sibling, friend, teacher, coach, bus driver, cafeteria worker, custodian, or another member of the community.
Give students the opportunity to write a letter explaining:
Who are you thankful for?
What has this person done for you?
How did it make you feel?
Why are you thankful to have this person in your life?
Students can decorate their letters, put them in envelopes, and deliver or mail them. Or, print out this turkey writing paper for a festive option!
Place a jar or container somewhere in the classroom and keep a stack of small pieces of paper nearby. Throughout November, students can write down things they are thankful for and add them to the jar. You might allow students to add notes whenever they feel inspired, or make it part of your daily routine.
At the end of each week, read a few notes aloud. You could even make Friday your Gratitude Jar Day! Students may be surprised to discover how many wonderful things happen in their classroom each week.
Create a paper chain filled with gratitude! Give each student strips of colored paper. On each strip, have them write something they are thankful for. Connect the strips to create a classroom chain.
You can add to the chain throughout November and display it around the classroom. As the chain grows, remind students that every person contributes something important to our classroom community. You could even challenge the class to see how long they can make their thankful chain by the end of the month!
Set aside a few minutes at the end of the day for a gratitude circle.
Have students sit together and take turns sharing one thing they are thankful for. Remind students that there are no “right” answers. Something that seems small to one person may be very meaningful to someone else.
You might even make it a daily routine during the month of November. A simple question such as “What is one good thing from your day?” can help students end the day on a positive note.
Incorporating gratitude into your classroom doesn't have to be complicated. A few minutes each day can give students meaningful opportunities to notice the good things and people around them. When we create a classroom where gratitude is practiced regularly, students begin to understand that thankfulness isn't just a November activity. It is a habit we can carry with us all year long.
So this November, take some time to notice, appreciate, and say thank you. You may be surprised by how much gratitude your students have to share!
