Back to Games Unit Activities
Game Thankfulness Circle
15 minutes
Whole Class
Circle Time
Learning Objectives
- Express gratitude for play experiences
- Recognize positive interactions with others
- Build classroom community
- Reflect on learning about games
Preparation
- Arrange comfortable circle seating
- Prepare gratitude stone or special object
- Think of your own gratitude to share
- Create calm, reflective atmosphere
Step-by-Step Instructions
- 1Gather in circle and explain gratitude sharing
- 2Pass gratitude stone around circle
- 3Each child thanks a classmate for playing with them
- 4Encourage specific examples: 'Thank you Maria for helping me learn dominoes'
- 5Model gratitude: 'Thank you all for being such good game partners'
- 6Let children share what they learned about games
- 7End with group appreciation for fun week of games
- 8Celebrate the community they've built through play
Materials Needed
- Comfortable seating area
- Optional: gratitude stone or special object
Assessment
- Child expresses gratitude to classmate
- Child reflects on positive game experiences
- Child participates in community building
- Child shows appreciation for others
Key Vocabulary
thankful
grateful
appreciate
friend
kind
helpful
community
Safety Notes
- Create emotionally safe environment
- Ensure all children are included in gratitude
Teaching Tips
- Model specific, genuine gratitude
- Help shy children find words
- Keep atmosphere warm and supportive
- Connect gratitude to friendship building
Extensions
- Write thank you notes to game partners
- Create gratitude journal for game experiences
- Continue gratitude practice in other activities
- Invite families to share what they're grateful for