Why I'm Thankful
By Caroline Wyman
This lesson is meant for older elementary through middle school students. It focuses on everyday life and turns the negatives into positives by teaching students about the many reasons why they should be thankful. Grades 4-9
Have the students discuss as a group things that have happened in the past week that have had a negative effect on them or have irritated/annoyed them. For the younger students, read one of Judith Viorst's books like Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Next, create a chart with some examples that the students came up with. For example:
- the spot of ketchup on my new shirt because it means that we have food and clothing for our family.
- having a cold and not feeling well because it means that I can always go the doctor's office for treatment.
- my baby sister crying loudly and waking me up in the middle of the night because it means that I can hear and she has healthy lungs.
Then have your students write out one main reason why they are thankful and encourage them to decorate their thankful paper with clipart or hand art. Then display these thankful papers around your classroom for all to see.
Caroline Wyman has a degree in Sociology and a Masters in Elementary Education and is the administrator for TeacherNet.com.