Learning outcomes
Tamariki understand the importance of being grateful and can list some people or things we might be grateful for.
Tamariki understand the importance of being grateful and can list some people or things we might be grateful for.
Print a double-sided copy of the Gratitude O'Clock worksheet for each student, so they can use this to record a gratitude idea every school day, for a month.
OR
Go printer-free! And head to this fun video which shows tamariki how to create their own journal. It's part of this Sparklers At Home activity!
Whakawhetai (gratitude) is linked to overall happiness. Research shows that regularly writing down what we're thankful for:
But we don’t come by an ‘attitude of gratitude’ naturally! Just like sharing or turn-taking, it’s a social skill we need to learn and practice – and that's what this activity is all about!
To get students thinking about whakawhetai (gratitude), ask some of the following questions:
Explain that anything we like, love, enjoy or appreciate is something we can feel grateful for – and focusing on people is a great place to start.
What's Gratitude-Whakawhetai O’Clock? It's a special time where you and students can record something you're grateful for OR the best part of your day.
Let students know that lots of studies have been done about gratitude and how amazing it can be for helping us feel good, and reminding us of all the special people and things we have in our lives.
Studies show that the benefits are strongest when we note down our ideas down, and do this as often was we can.
Give students a Gratitude O'Clock worksheet, and explain that each day for four weeks, they'll have the chance to note down something or someone they are thankful for.
Having a set time each day can really help. You might decide to start the day this way, or to do it after lunch. Choose a time together and make this Gratitude O'Clock!
To keep it interesting, mix up your focus each day, from general to specific, using the kōrero questions above as focus ideas. Bring the focus to people when you can and reassure students that it doesn't matter if they use the same person more than once.
Give tamariki regular chances to share their ideas, and commend their efforts – remarking on the way you can see their gratitude growing.
These gratitude sheets can be the perfect way to identify people tamariki could create Sneaky thank you cards for.
Encourage older tamariki to have a daily goal of helping someone (at school or home) without being asked. Allow them to share these acts of kindness at the end of Gratitude O’Clock – explaining why they chose that person and what they did – then give them a clap and cheer.
You may also like to have fun and give back with our Bunches of aroha activity.
This fun worksheet is another great tool to help tamariki reflect, be grateful and look forward to the future.
If you'd like to encourage whānau to give whakawhatai (gratitude) a go at home, simply copy and paste the following 'blurb' into an email or your home-learning programme as an introduction.
In the classroom we've been looking into the many benefits of feeling gratitude. Interestingly (and amazingly), gratitude is linked to overall happiness. Research shows that regularly writing down what we're thankful for:
Sparklers at Home activity Whakawhetai (Gratitude) O'Clock includes a fun video that guides tamariki to make their own journal, while reinforcing the ideas we've been learning in the classroom.
