Objective

By the end of this lesson, Renee will understand the concept of thankfulness, learn to express gratitude, and create a personal "Thankful Tree" that showcases things she is thankful for in her life.

Materials and Prep

• Paper (any kind)
• Crayons or markers
• Scissors (if needed, with adult supervision)
• Glue or tape
• A small container or jar

Before the lesson, think of some examples of things you are thankful for to share with Renee. Prepare a space where she can comfortably create her Thankful Tree.

Activities

• Thankful Discussion:

  Start with a fun conversation about what thankfulness means. Ask Renee about things she is thankful for and share your own examples. This will help her understand the concept better.

• Thankful Tree Creation:

  Renee will create a "Thankful Tree" by drawing a tree on a piece of paper. She can then write or draw things she is thankful for on colorful leaves and attach them to the tree. This will be a visual representation of her gratitude.

• Gratitude Jar:

  Using a small container or jar, Renee can write down things she is thankful for on small pieces of paper and place them inside the jar. This can be a fun activity to do regularly, adding new notes whenever she thinks of something.

• Thank You Cards:

  Renee can create simple thank you cards for family members or friends. She can decorate them and write a message about why she is thankful for that person. This activity encourages her to express gratitude to others.

Talking Points

• "What do you think it means to be thankful?"
• "Can you think of something that makes you really happy? That might be something to be thankful for!"
• "Why is it important to say thank you to others?"
• "Let’s make a list together of all the things we are thankful for!"
• "How do you feel when someone says thank you to you?"
• "We can show thankfulness in many ways, like through words, actions, and even art!"
• "Remember, being thankful helps us feel happy and appreciate what we have!"