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Thanks! a Strengths-Based Gratitude Curriculum for Tweens and Teens

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Thanks! a Strengths-Based Gratitude Curriculum for Tweens and Teens Thanks! A Strengths-Based Gratitude Curriculum for Tweens and Teens Four lessons to help students understand the meaning of gratitude and how to cultivate it in their everyday lives. ggsc.berkeley.edu Thanks! A Strengths-Based Gratitude Curriculum for Tweens and Teens Table of Contents Introduction 3 Lesson 1: Discover Your Grateful Self 10 Lesson 2: See The Good Challenge 17 Gift of the Magi–Reading Gratitude Challenge–Activity Gratitude Journal–Activity Good Week Reflection–Activity Subtracting Good Things–Activity Lesson 3: Seeing The Good In Others 35 Go Out And Fill Buckets–Activity Lesson 4: Thank You For Believing In Me 43 Gratitude Letter 2 Thanks! A Strengths-Based Gratitude Curriculum for Tweens and Teens Introduction Over the past two decades, studies have consistently found that people who practice gratitude report fewer symptoms of illness, including depression, more optimism and happiness, stronger relationships, more generous behavior, and many other benefits. Further, research convincingly shows that, when compared with their less grateful peers, grateful youth are happier and more satisfied with their lives, friends, family, neighborhood, and selves. They also report more hope, engagement with their hobbies, higher GPAs, and less envy, depression, and materialism. That’s why the Greater Good Science Center launched the Youth Gratitude Project (YGP) as part of the broader Expanding the Science and Practice of Gratitude, a multiyear project funded by the John Templeton Foundation. In addition to advancing the knowledge of how to measure and develop gratitude in children, the YGP created and tested a new gratitude curriculum for middle and high schoolers. The main idea of the YGP curriculum is that varied gratitude practices should help students feel more socially competent and connected, be more satisfied with school, have better mental health and emotional well-being, and be more motivated about school and their future. For example, practices like journaling that genuinely build on students’ strengths and guide them to have more meaningful interactions and regular discussion with peers, teachers, and other adults. Preliminary evidence for the effects of the gratitude curriculum indicate that it is helping to decrease depression, anxiety, and antisocial behavior and increase hope, emotional regulation, and search for purpose. 3 Thanks! A Strengths-Based Gratitude Curriculum for Tweens and Teens Introduction In describing the design of the gratitude curriculum, lead researcher Dr. Giacomo Bono writes: Gratitude interventions for students should start by identifying and engaging students’ character strengths and interests, and they should let students appreciate the different benefits and benefactors in their lives for themselves. Let’s go beyond lists and dry journals. When people “get” us and help us through tough times, gratitude grows. Schools participating in the YGP curriculum have shared anecdotes about students’ and parents’ enthusiasm for the gratitude lessons. Indeed, the character strength and gratitude exercises have not only been affirmational—strengthening pride in students’ achievements and building a sense of community—but, according to Dr. Bono, they have also been hijacking much of the wall space at Open Houses! We sincerely hope that, as students begin to practice gratitude, they will begin to see the value of altruistic choices and recognize the good intentions of others, helping them to feel supported in reaching for the better. How To Use The Lessons Each lesson follows a consistent format: Time Required: The time required is a suggested time based on feedback from educators who have taught the lesson. For the full benefit, lessons should be taught in their entirety, which may take one or two class periods. Grade Level: The lessons were designed for both middle and high school students; however, teachers should feel free to adapt the lessons to meet the needs of their students. Materials: The materials listed for each activity are deliberately simple and low-cost. An internet connection and a TV or projector will be required to show the videos. Links to PDFs of handouts and PowerPoint slides are included with the curriculum. 4 Thanks! A Strengths-Based Gratitude Curriculum for Tweens and Teens Introduction How To Use Learning Objectives: The learning objective describes the knowl- The Lessons (cont’d) edge, skills, and/or attitudes that are developed in each activity. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Competencies: Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which children learn and apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to: • Understand and manage emotions • Set and achieve positive goals • Feel and show empathy for others • Establish and maintain positive relationships • Make responsible decisions Five social-emotional competencies have been identified by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as foundational. The table on the next page lists those competencies, and ways in which gratitude practices can support their development. SEL Competencies How Gratitude Practices Support This Competency Self-awareness: The ability to Students develop a deeper awareness accurately recognize one’s emotions of their thoughts and feelings when and thoughts and their influence on they reflect mindfully on their behavior. This includes accurately experience of gratitude. Choosing assessing one’s strengths and to express gratitude also enhances limitations and possessing a well- students’ confidence and optimism. grounded sense of confidence and optimism. Self-management: The ability to Choosing to respond with gratitude, regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, when experiencing kindness from and behaviors effectively in different others, requires students to regulate situations. This includes managing their thoughts, feelings and actions. stress, controlling impulses, motivating oneself, and setting and working toward achieving personal and academic goals. 5 Thanks! A Strengths-Based Gratitude Curriculum for Tweens and Teens Introduction How To Use SEL Competencies (cont’d) How Gratitude Practices Support The Lessons (cont’d) This Competency (cont’d) Social awareness: The ability to take By considering the intentions and the perspective of and empathize efforts of those they are grateful to, with others from diverse backgrounds students develop social awareness. In and cultures, to understand social particular, they develop the ability to and ethical norms for behavior, and take the perspective of others and to to recognize family, school, and empathize with them. community resources and supports. Relationship skills: The ability to When they express gratitude, students establish and maintain healthy and establish and maintain healthy relation- rewarding relationships with diverse ships with others. Planning and carrying individuals and groups. This includes out acts of kindness toward others also communicating clearly, listening strengthens relationship skills. actively, cooperating, resisting inappropriate social pressure, negotiating conflict constructively, and seeking and offering help when needed. Responsible decision making: The In choosing to express gratitude, ability to make constructive and students practice responsible decision- respectful choices about personal making and enhance the well-being behavior and social interactions based of others, themselves and the world on consideration of ethical standards, around them. safety concerns, social norms, the realistic evaluation of consequences of various actions, and the well-being of self and others. Getting Ready for This Activity: This section offers simple ways a teacher might explore the activity for themselves first before teaching it to students. Indeed, research suggests that teachers who exhibit gratitude feel more satisfied, accomplished, and have more emotional reserves. Experiencing the benefits of gratitude firsthand can enhance your work with students by helping you be more in tune with how they will engage with the activities in this guide. How to Do It: The process of each activity is described in detail. This can be adapted to suit the needs of the group. 6 Thanks! A Strengths-Based Gratitude Curriculum for Tweens and Teens Introduction How To Use Reflection After the Activity: To deepen the experience of the The Lessons (cont’d) activity, we suggest asking students to reflect on the impact of this activity on themselves. Key themes in the gratitude lessons Central to the concept of gratitude are the ideas of intention, benefit, and cost or “benefit appraisals”. According to gratitude researchers Jeffrey Froh and Giacomo Bono: • Acts of kindness that inspire gratitude are usually done on purpose, with intention. Someone has noticed us, thought about what we need, and chosen to do something to meet that need. Reflecting on the intentions behind these acts deepens our sense of gratitude. • A related idea is that each act of kindness has a cost to the person who performs it. The cost may include time, effort or something that was given up, as well as any financial cost. When we understand those costs, we gain a deeper appreciation of the person who acted in a caring way. • Finally, others’ acts of kindness benefit us personally in ways that may be material, emotional, and/or social. Noticing and acknowledging the ways we benefit from others’ actions enhances our gratitude. Teaching gratitude in a culturally-responsive way When teaching about gratitude in a school setting,
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