Expressing Gratitude

Emotional Intelligence

Pre-K, Elementary, Middle School, High School

Learning Objectives

Understand what it means to express gratitude.
Identify ways to say or show thank you in everyday situations.
Recognize when others are being kind or helpful.
Practice responding with appreciation using words or actions.
Explain how expressing gratitude helps build positive relationships.
Demonstrate respectful and kind behavior when receiving help or kindness.
Explore the benefits of showing gratitude for both themselves and others.
Look for opportunities to express gratitude in daily life

Aligned Common Core Standards

Kindergarten
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1 – Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.2 – Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.6 – Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.6 – Use words and phrases acquired through conversations

Grade 1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1 – Participate in collaborative conversations
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.2 – Ask and answer questions about key details in spoken information
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.4 – Describe people, places, things, and events with relevant details
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.6 – Produce complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.6 – Use words and phrases acquired through conversations

Grade 2
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1 – Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.4 – Tell a story or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant details
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.6 – Produce complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.6 – Use words and phrases acquired through conversations

Grade 3
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1 – Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.4 – Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.3 – Use knowledge of language and its conventions when speaking or listening
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.6 – Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate words and phrases

Grade 4
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1 – Engage effectively in collaborative discussions with diverse partners
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.4 – Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience in an organized manner
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.3 – Use knowledge of language and conventions when speaking and listening
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.6 – Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate words and phrases

Grade 5
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1 – Engage effectively in collaborative discussions with diverse partners
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.4 – Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.3 – Use knowledge of language and conventions when speaking or listening
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.6 – Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate words and phrases

Grade 6
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1 – Engage effectively in collaborative discussions with diverse partners
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.4 – Present claims and findings with relevant descriptions, facts, and details
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.6 – Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.6.3 – Use knowledge of language and its conventions when speaking and listening
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.6.6 – Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate words and phrases

Grade 7
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1 – Engage effectively in collaborative discussions
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.4 – Present claims and findings with relevant evidence and coherent structure
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.6 – Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.3 – Use knowledge of language and conventions when speaking and listening
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.6 – Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate words and phrases

Grade 8
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.1 – Engage effectively in collaborative discussions
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.4 – Present claims and findings with relevant evidence, sound reasoning, and well-chosen details
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.6 – Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.3 – Use knowledge of language and conventions when speaking and listening
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.6 – Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate words and phrases

SMART Goal Ideas Bank

The student will identify three situations where expressing gratitude is appropriate, with 80% accuracy, by [date].
The student will verbally express gratitude (e.g., “thank you”) during three structured role-play scenarios in 4 out of 5 sessions by [date].
The student will use a complete sentence to express appreciation for help or a gift in a therapy session with 80% accuracy by [date].
The student will describe the reason for expressing gratitude in a given situation with 80% accuracy in structured tasks by [date].
The student will demonstrate the use of polite and respectful tone when expressing gratitude in structured activities in 4 out of 5 sessions by [date].
The student will identify and label the emotions associated with receiving help or kindness (e.g., happy, thankful) in 4 out of 5 opportunities by [date].
The student will initiate an expression of gratitude in a real or simulated social interaction in 3 out of 5 opportunities by [date].
The student will select an appropriate way to express gratitude (verbal, written, gesture) in given scenarios with 80% accuracy by [date].
The student will explain how expressing gratitude helps build positive relationships in structured conversation tasks in 4 out of 5 sessions by [date].