Gratitude Journals

I wanted to change up my journals this year. One of the ideas I had was to do a Gratitude Journal that the students would write in maybe once or twice per week. I started keeping one after a book I read and I think it can be a really good way to reflect and maybe notice the little things more.

With Grandparents' Day arriving, I wanted to do a lesson on the importance of memories and I thought especially if we have memories we are thankful for, it went along together. I showed them the story: 

Which is on Story Online (and happens to be one of my favorites).  I had them write a definition for the word "memory". Now usually I'm not a fan of kids writing definitions, but I was curious after hearing all the author's different ideas of what memories were, what theirs would be. I actually think some of them just nailed it!

That you have fun, 2 days later you think about it.

A memory is something you wish you could save in your diary forever.

...when you lose something you find the memory.

....something to make you smile and make you feel special.