Gratitude is affirming that there are good things in the world, gifts and benefits we’ve received, and recognizing that these sources of goodness come from outside ourselves. Emerging research also suggests that helping students develop an “attitude of gratitude” may provide a link between students’ academic and social wellbeing. In addition, adopting a consistent grateful mindset can provide the following benefits for both children and adults in a school community:
- Improved physical and psychological health
- Higher levels of positive emotions
- More joy, optimism and happiness
- Ability to form, maintain and strengthen supportive relationships
- Acting with more generosity, empathy and compassion
- Feeling connected to a caring community
Through funding support from the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley and the Templeton Foundation, Open Circle has developed gratitude activities for all grades and gratitude lessons for students in grades 4 and 5. All components align with Open Circle’s guiding principles and existing curricula strands and focus on gratitude in the context of relationships and grateful thinking in response to acts of kindness. The grades 4 and 5 lessons include one “Grateful Thinking” core lesson and three supplementary lessons: “Practicing Grateful Thinking,” “Expressing Gratitude,” and “Giving Back.” For all grades, a list of children’s literature that connects to gratitude is included along with resource materials for teachers.
Download
Click the applicable link below to download the Gratitude Curriculum Component for your grade level:
Gratitude Grades K-3If you have any questions about these materials, please contact us at info@open-circle.org or 781-283-3277.