Guiding Questions for Parents.

Definition: Someone who is grateful is thankful for people, nature, and things. Stewardship means taking good care of what we’ve been given. In short: Thankful for every blessing, big or small. Summary: The pages of this book describe and cleverly illustrate all the things for which a young girl is thankful. She writes her gratitudes on pieces of paper linked together in a chain that decorates her room. Lesson Objectives:

Students are guided to list the things for which they are thankful. They add illustrations and create “My book of gratitudes.” (see activity)

Guiding Questions:

What time of year does the girl begin her thankful chain? When does she finish it? Does she do it every year?
What was her wish that came true that year?
She is thankful for her teacher. Why?
She is thankful for doors that lead to wonderful places - what’s the “wonderful place” in the story?
What are some warm things for which you are thankful?
What are some cold things for which you are thankful?
Are you thankful for things that keep you safe? What keeps you safe?
She is thankful for colors. What do you think it would be like if there were no colors?
What are some soft things for which you are thankful?
What are some hard things for which you are thankful?

🌿 Virtue Connection: Gratitude means noticing and appreciating what is already good.

Activities for This Story.

Activity: Gratitude, Levels 1,2

Resource: (395) Kids Read Aloud- Thankful, a children's story about gratitude - YouTube

Activity: Students watch the video. They make a gratitude chain, adding one gratitude a day for 2 - 3 weeks.

Materials needed: paper cut into pieces big enough for students to write a short gratitude - each piece could be around 3“ wide and 8” long; art materials and glue; plan a party at the conclusion of the chain-making

Directions: Show the video. Explain that students will be making their own gratitude chain. Show them the materials. Create pairs to brainstorm a gratitude for the day or ask the students to individually come up with a gratitude. Students write a gratitude on the first link of the chain. Every day they write a new gratitude and add the new link to the chain. Decide on an ending time when they will complete their chains. Do a show and tell in which students can share their chains. Have a party to celebrate the completion of the gratitude chain!

Wrap it up: Explain that their new gratitude chains will remind them of all the good things in their lives. Say: “Sometimes we can forget, especially when we’re having a hard day. On those days, take a look at your gratitude chain and enjoy the memories. It will make you feel better, and you will look forward to the next good thing that happens to you. Gratitude is like magic. It can wipe away unhappiness and keep you looking for the next good thing that comes your way.”

About the Story.

This guide is part of the Values & Virtues library, a free collection of 400+ book guides and activities organized around 12 core virtues for children from pre-K to 6th grade. Each guide includes Guiding Questions designed to open a real conversation with your child in 10 minutes or less.