I wanted to do a quick follow up to the gratitude journals we did a couple of weeks ago. I am feeling so happy about them! I've asked the students to write at least two things in their gratitude journals each day. Most students have loved it and write more than two things. Some students don't write it down but share with the rest of the class what they are grateful for, and some students don't participate at all. I don't pressure them to come up with things, and I just hope that us discussing each day will still have positive benefits for them.
I think it's important for the students to know that I am participating in this too. So I always write my gratitude items on the board. This also helps remind the students to write in their journals and hopefully gets them thinking about other things they can be grateful for.
One of my favorite moments of the day is about ten minutes after the bell rings and right before we start math. I always ask the students to get their math assignment out, and as they are doing it I ask them who would like to share what they wrote. The responses are always interesting and range from everything like Angry Birds Go to family to friends to pizza to pets. A few of my favorite ones have been Miss Jarvie (It always warms my soul), my classmates (YES!!!), and forgiveness. I was blown away with that last one. Even sixth graders realize what a gift forgiveness can be. Overall, I am so happy that I did gratitude journals with my students. I am glad I started in January because I think it gave enough time for the kids to get comfortable with each other enough to share. This is a tradition I will most definitely continue on!
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