About This Lesson
Have you ever sent or received a Gratitude Letter? A Gratitude Letter is more than a thank you note. It’s a formal letter that you write to someone who has had a profound impact on your life that you have not yet properly thanked. This could be a family member, mentor, student, friend or colleague.
In this activity, ask students to think about a person they’re grateful for and why. This person could be a family member, mentor, student, friend, or colleague. Then, they can write a gratitude letter to this person, letting them know how they have positively impacted their life.
Once they have written the Gratitude Letter, support them in scheduling a time to deliver it and read it to the person. This is a great activity to do with students in preparation for Thanksgiving and the holiday season!
Here’s what you’ll get:
- A printable letter template to guide students in expressing gratitude and encouraging students to reflect on their relationships and express appreciation, promoting emotional and social growth and communication and connection by delivering and reading their gratitude letter
- Access to Gratitude Letter Writing lesson plans and a unit study
- Sample Answer Key
Why you’ll love this activity:
- The activities are easy to print and customize in your classroom or at home
- Reflecting and writing gratitude letters can positively benefit both the writer and the recipient.
- Gives students a chance to pause and reflect during a busy time of year
- Great activity for Thanksgiving and the holiday season
- You can use this resource as part of a comprehensive, science-based unit study.
- The associated free unit study for Gratitude Letter Writing comes with activities, downloadable worksheets, and even IEP and BIP recommendations tailored specifically to students with autism.
Ways to Use
- Incorporate into SEL curriculum
- Integrate into small groups and/or individual counseling sessions
- Families can use this at home, too!
What is Gratitude Letter Writing?
Gratitude is often thought of as thankfulness, appreciation, or a sense of wonder. By intentionally practicing skills like Gratitude Letter Writing, we can all learn to experience, enhance, and express more gratitude.
A Gratitude Letter is more than a thank-you note. It's a formal letter that you write to someone who has had a profound impact on your life and whom you have not yet properly thanked. This could be a family member, mentor, student, friend, or colleague.
Reflect on the people who have helped shape your life — people who have taken the time to share their strengths with you, guide you, or help you in a meaningful way. Now, write a letter that thoroughly expresses your gratitude — describe, in detail, what their role in your life has meant to you. Once you have written your Gratitude Letter, schedule a time to hand deliver or read the letter to them if possible. Something remarkable happens when gratitude letters are shared in person.
Science of Gratitude
The science is clear — pausing, reflecting, and writing gratitude letters can positively benefit both the writer and the recipient. Recalling past experiences through the lens of gratitude enhances positive affect, writing about them enables the mind to broaden and build, and taking the time to deliver and read gratitude letters to the recipient boosts both parties' wellbeing and has a positive impact on the relationship. Believe it or not, this positive intervention can impact your wellbeing for weeks or even months.
People who engage in the practice of writing gratitude letters are more likely to experience:
- Increased happiness
- Boosted immune system
- Increased positive affect
- Increased life satisfaction
- Enhanced gratitude
- Stronger relationships
Looking for more gratitude resources?
- Explore the free Gratitude Letter Writing Unit Study, which includes teaching slides, additional worksheets and activities, and even IEP and BIP recommendations tailored specifically to students with autism.
- Bonus access to full lesson plans and unit studies on the skills of happiness at our Skill Center
Proof Positive's resources are and will always be free. Be well!
