Activity: Students will make a gratitude jar or box to take home to use it with their families. Materials: medium size jars (one per student) or boxes (which may be easier to acquire and decorate) and one decorated large jar for the classroom; decorating materials, such as paint, colored pencils, glitter, construction paper, glue, etc.; small squares big enough for students to draw a picture or write a few wordsDirections: Explain: “Today we will be making gratitude jars (or boxes), just like the one we read about. I have made a class gratitude jar that we can all use here at school. You will take your jar home with a note from me that explains how to use it, and some small papers on which everyone can write their gratitudes or draw pictures to show your gratitudes. You can encourage your family members to participate and write their own gratitudes, at least one per day, and put the notes in the jar. Pick a time with your parents to read the notes with the whole family.” Distribute the jars and advise students about decorating them. The class jar remains for an extension activity. Give 5 minutes of class time every day for two weeks (or longer) for students to write their gratitudes and put them in the class jar. Students who need it are given writing assistance. Teachers can provide a word wall with vocabulary that suits this assignment. Read or show (if it’s a picture) the gratitude messages to the whole class. Ask students to share about their experiences using their gratitude jars at home with their family. Wrap it up: Explain that the purpose of this activity is to remind us to feel grateful for the many good things in our lives. It is also a chance for you to help your family to be more thankful by encouraging them to use the gratitude jar with you.
Activity: Students will make a gratitude jar or box to take home to use it with their families. Materials: medium size jars (one per student) or boxes (which may be easier to acquire and decorate) and one decorated large jar for the classroom; decorating materials, such as paint, colored pencils, glitter, construction paper, glue, etc.; small squares big enough for students to draw a picture or write a few wordsDirections: Explain: “Today we will be making gratitude jars (or boxes), just like the one we read about. I have made a class gratitude jar that we can all use here at school. You will take your jar home with a note from me that explains how to use it, and some small papers on which everyone can write their gratitudes or draw pictures to show your gratitudes. You can encourage your family members to participate and write their own gratitudes, at least one per day, and put the notes in the jar. Pick a time with your parents to read the notes with the whole family.” Distribute the jars and advise students about decorating them. The class jar remains for an extension activity. Give 5 minutes of class time every day for two weeks (or longer) for students to write their gratitudes and put them in the class jar. Students who need it are given writing assistance. Teachers can provide a word wall with vocabulary that suits this assignment. Read or show (if it’s a picture) the gratitude messages to the whole class. Ask students to share about their experiences using their gratitude jars at home with their family. Wrap it up: Explain that the purpose of this activity is to remind us to feel grateful for the many good things in our lives. It is also a chance for you to help your family to be more thankful by encouraging them to use the gratitude jar with you.
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