How Gratitude Positively Impacts Learning: 7 Thanksgiving Activities that Teach Gratitude

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Show Notes:

With the demands and stress that come with teaching, it’s easy to focus on the hardships. But if you actually take the time to look around your classroom, school, and life, there are so many things to be thankful for. With Thanksgiving just around the corner in North America, I wanted to spend some time discussing how to incorporate gratitude and learning in your classroom. 

I try to live every day full of gratitude and positivity, which is why I believe Thanksgiving and the next few months are the perfect time to reflect on all the blessings that are in your life. Although it may seem like a small gesture, acknowledging gratitude in your classroom has a massive impact. I provide research-based evidence that shows what can happen when you cultivate a genuine attitude of gratitude amongst your students. I also share a list of seven ideas for meaningful Thanksgiving activities that help teach gratitude to your students. 

We have so much to be grateful for in our lives, so it’s important to take the opportunity to acknowledge that and have it be a part of your classroom. With each of my seven ideas on gratitude and learning, you can easily infuse them throughout your school day to showcase the feeling of gratitude. Even though this episode doesn’t incorporate all the fun traditional Thanksgiving crafts and activities, I believe having an attitude of gratitude and positivity in our classroom is the most important thing we can teach our students.

Inside this week's show, you'll learn:

• Seven meaningful Thanksgiving ideas to teach your students gratitude and how to model it in your classroom
• Research-based evidence that shows how gratitude positively impacts learning and ways to easily infuse in your classroom
• A personal story of gratitude and how this experience led me to the teaching profession
• The importance of cultivating a classroom of gratitude and examples of activities to use in your classroom with your students

Links & resources mentioned inside this episode: 

• “Raising Children With an Attitude of Gratitude”
• “Grateful Schools, Happy Schools”
• “11 Tips for Instilling True Gratitude in Your Students”
• Follow Dr. Lori on Instagram
• Follow Dr. Lori on Facebook
• Follow Beginning Teacher Talk on TikTok

I hope this information is helpful as you prepare for your first, second, or third year of teaching. Until next time, remember, just because you're a beginning elementary teacher, there's no need for you to struggle like one.

💛 Lori

Dr. Lori Friesen | Beginning Teacher Mentor

Creator of the R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy and The Classroom Management Club, Dr. Lori Friesen has mentored thousands of beginning teachers across the country through her workshops and courses. Host of the popular podcast Beginning Teacher Talk and author of Dear New Teacher, Here's Exactly What to Do, Dr. Lori is dedicated to serving educators and inspiring learners. Learn more at drlorifriesen.com.

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Related episodes you might enjoy:

• 7 Quality Thanksgiving Activities that Truly Teach Gratitude (and How Gratitude Positively Impacts Learning)
• 10 Ways to Uplift & Inspire Your Students this Thanksgiving Season
• Can We Just Take a Breath? Proof that Mindset Matters

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