An At-Home Literacy Lesson Plan Crafted by BGCHarlem Literacy Specialist Fabiola Marceline Augustin
Photo: Folksy.com
Parents:
“It is not happy people who are grateful; it is grateful people who are happy”.
What are the benefits of teaching gratitude?
What if we took a moment in our day to explain and teach gratitude to our kids?
How would their moods change? What insight would we gain?
Gratitude is the feeling of appreciation or thanks. Being grateful allows young people to become more sensitive to others and can help overcome moments of self- doubt, insecurity and low self-esteem.
Expressing gratitude creates a more productive environment and allows students to better appreciate the kindness of others and the importance of their relationships with family, friends and teachers.
As youth become more confident, they can overcome challenges and cultivate their strengths to contribute to their communities. In today's lesson students will use their expressions of gratitude as a gateway to their individual happiness.
If your child cannot read, read the text out loud to them. Ask them the questions and have them respond and/ or solve on a separate sheet of paper. If your child can read, simply give them the second page of this handout and have them read the text out loud or in their head.
ANNOUNCEMENT: We’re going live on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays! Click here if you want your child to participate in our virtual after school program. On April 30th, we will have a Literacy Live session with Ms. Fabby.
Materials: A partner, blank paper, pen or pencil, Internet access/YouTube
Addresses Common Core Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.2 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY. SL.3.1.D (You may click here to print the lesson or the student may view the lesson online and write his/her answers on a separate piece of paper)
Students:
Happiness: A Lesson in Gratitude
Step 1: Watch the Video “What Makes You Happy?”
What were some of your favorite responses from the video and why? How did watching the video make you feel?
Step 2:
Stop for a minute and think about today. What’s one thing about your day that made you happy (or will make you happy)?
I’m happy because___________________ (give your own example).
Take ten minutes to express your happiness here! (You have the option to print or write your response on a separate piece of paper)
By stopping to think for a few moments about something that makes us happy, and either writing it down or saying it loud, that’s called showing gratitude. What’s gratitude?
Gratitude means showing thanks, being thankful and showing your appreciation for something, which is a great way to start our day, turn our day around, or end our day on a high note! We’re going to practice exactly that today.
Step 3: Watch the Video “Kid President’s 25 Reasons to Be Thankful!”
Kid President listed some pretty awesome things to be thankful for. Cite three reasons from the video that you agree with.
Keep the positive vibes going and write/draw things you are grateful for here.
Reflection: Discuss the impact of logging your happiness and gratitude. What did you learn about each other? How did you feel after writing your notes of gratitude? How will you use what you learned to live a happier life?
(Don’t forget to complete and post on our social media at #BGCHarlem).
It's not over just yet!
The Final Step is to have a positive vibe “Dance Off” with your partner.
Fun Fact!!!
The Science of Giving: When someone gives to us, we feel gratitude, and when we give, we inspire gratitude in others. Learningtogive.org
Follow BGCHarlem social media channels for daily updates. Students, we would love to see your work! Be sure to upload a picture of yourself with your completed lessons using the hashtag #BGCHarlem.
View our additional 'Resources For Students & Parents for Dealing with COVID-19' HERE