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Session 6: Gratitude Design 🙏

Overview

Grades: 5-6 | Duration: 45 minutes | Session: 6 of 17

Students use design thinking to create meaningful projects that express or spread gratitude to their community.

Session 6: Gratitude Design

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Apply design thinking to gratitude expression

  • Create meaningful thanksgiving projects

  • Consider how technology can spread gratitude

  • Reflect on blessings and thanksgiving

Session 6: Gratitude Design

Materials Needed

  • 💻 Computers (optional)

  • 📦 Craft/making materials

  • 📓 Engineering journals

  • 🎨 Design supplies

Catholic Integration

Saint Connection

St. Ignatius of Loyola — Creator of the Daily Examen, a practice of reflecting on blessings and gratitude each day. "Give thanks for all things."

Scripture

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." — 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Opening Prayer

Dear God, thank you for countless blessings we often overlook. Open our eyes to see your gifts. Help us design ways to spread gratitude to others. Make us grateful hearts. Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (7 minutes)

  1. Gratitude in Faith:
  2. Thanksgiving is a Christian virtue
  3. St. Ignatius: Daily gratitude practice
  4. Gratitude changes our perspective
  5. Design for Gratitude:
  6. How might design spread thankfulness?
  7. Who needs to be thanked?
  8. Who needs encouragement?
  9. Gratitude Reflection:
  10. Quick journal: 5 things you're grateful for
  11. Notice: Blessings we take for granted

Main Activity: Gratitude Project Design (30 minutes)

Part 1: Empathize & Define (8 minutes)

Who Needs Gratitude?

  • Brainstorm people who serve us:
  • School staff (custodians, cafeteria, office)
  • Community helpers (firefighters, etc.)
  • Family members often overlooked
  • Elderly in community
  • Those who are lonely

Select Focus:

  • Choose recipient group

  • Research: What would be meaningful to them?

  • Define: "How might we show gratitude to ___?"

Part 2: Ideate (5 minutes)

  • Many ideas for gratitude expression:
  • Technology: App, video, website, digital card
  • Physical: Cards, gifts, service acts
  • Experience: Event, visit, performance

  • Combination approaches

  • Choose best idea for your skills/resources

Part 3: Create Gratitude Project (15 minutes)

Options (choose one):

Digital Gratitude:

  • Thank-you video

  • Gratitude slideshow

  • Digital card collection

  • Scratch appreciation animation

  • Website celebrating recipients

Physical Gratitude:

  • Handmade cards

  • Thank-you posters

  • Appreciation display

  • Gift creation

  • Service planning

Hybrid:

  • QR code linked to video

  • Physical card with digital component

  • Display with interactive element

Include:

  • Specific thanks (not generic!)

  • Personal touch

  • Meaningful message

  • Quality execution

Part 4: Share Plan (2 minutes)

  • How will you deliver gratitude?

  • When will it happen?

  • What's the expected impact?

Engineering Journal (5 minutes)

  1. Gratitude recipients: ___
  2. Project design sketch/description
  3. Delivery plan: ___
  4. Write: "Gratitude is important because..."
  5. Personal gratitude list (10 items)

Closing Circle (3 minutes)

  1. Commitment — When will you deliver your gratitude?
  2. Ignatian Reflection — "What blessings did you notice today?"
  3. Closing Prayer — "Thank you, Lord, for everything. Help us spread gratitude everywhere we go. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Identified meaningful recipients

  • Created thoughtful gratitude expression

  • Plan for delivery

  • Personal reflection on gratitude

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Template for thank-you message

  • Partner work

  • Simpler project scope

For Advanced Students

  • Multi-recipient project

  • Ongoing gratitude system

  • Coordinate class-wide effort

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: Family gratitude practice! Try the Daily Examen together. Write thank-you notes as a family. Discuss: Who in our community deserves thanks? Plan a family act of gratitude!

Teacher Notes

  • Coordinate delivery of gratitude projects

  • Notify recipients if appropriate

  • Photo document for portfolios

  • Perfect timing before Thanksgiving break

Previous: Session 5 — Scratch Games
Next: Session 7 — Advent Coding