Grateful exercise – Journey Cards

An experience from an educator

Introduction

This was the first time this class saw these cards. When I showed the card to them, they seemed very interested, so I passed it round for them to see the statement and illustration.

I wanted to use this card as an ice-breaking activity to start off a lesson on a positive note, but the students enjoyed it so much and a healthy discussion came out of it that we spent the whole lesson on this card.

Questions to ask

I passed on the card for students to see it in their hands and we discussed:

• What they like about the card and what strikes them about it

• Why gratitude is important

• What they are grateful for.

• Asked them to talk about an instance where they felt appreciated, why and how did this happen and how they felt

• Asked them to talk about an instance when showed someone appreciation.

Discussion

We brainstormed ways of making others feel appreciated, sharing of ideas.

We wrapped up the session by focusing on the final thought that is found on the card: Everyday I like to wake up and remind myself to be grateful for the simple things. We talked about what the simple things are, and that they are actually the most meaningful things.