Create a THANKFUL TREE 

FALLing Into Gratitude



Banner reads, "Thankful tree, falling into gratitude."

Focus: Think of 3 people or blessings for which you can be thankful.

Pre-school-Grade 1
Students think of and list 3 people or things for which they can be thankful (i.e. dad/mom; singing; math) and then write them on a practice sheet. Teacher or helper checks students' list for accuracy and neatness. Students are then given a leaf-shaped paper to color and write the names of 3 people or things for which they can be thankful.

Grades 2-6

Write a sentence for whom or what you thank GOD: about family, church, school (e.g. Thank you God for taking walks with my family.) Teacher or helper checks for accuracy and neatness. Students are then given leaf-shaped paper to color and write their 3 sentences. (Eager learners are given additional leaves to color.) 

Decorate the Thankful Tree with the leaves (with some left on the floor, thus our theme, FALLing into Gratitude.)

RIGHT, WRITE! 
Distribute blank calendar templates for recording daily gratitude goals/plans to express grateful hearts. Discuss how these acts demonstrate a thankful heart. "Everyday I will praise YOU, O GOD" Psalm 145:2. (i.e.-smile; every morning/night tell GOD what you thank HIM for; write a thank you note to parents, grandparents, neighbor, teacher, church/community worker; take a walk and observe changes in nature.)

FINGER-thanks 
"Lifting holy hands and praise the LORD" 1 Timothy 2:8. Trace both hands of student with thumbs touching. On each finger tip write the letters to spell out: GIVE THANKS (left: pinky-G; ring-I; middle-V; pointer-E; etc.) Younger students can share some of what they are thankful for by naming people or things beginning with each letter (fingers talk). Older students may write the names of people or things beginning with each letter and then write an acrostic.

Copyright 2018 Penelope White
penywhite@hotmail.com

Editor's Note: Keep your Thankful Tree decorated through November, then make it into a Christ-Tree for Advent!

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