About This Lesson
Proof Positive’s Guide on the Side: Inside Out Edition is a specially curated bundle of science-informed activities to support you and your students in exploring wellbeing skills — because it can be fun (and helpful!) to turn things “Inside Out” and understand what’s happening in our brains.
This resource starts with a brief overview of the happiness skill, Gratitude Letter Writing, and then provides relevant Inside Out video clips and key learnings to set the stage to practice the skill. The resource is then followed by a printable worksheet activity - Write a Gratitude Letter to the movie/character(s) - to put the Gratitude Letter Writing into practice while watching the Inside Out movies.
Write a gratitude letter to the movie, book, or show, sharing how it has positively impacted your life. You can also choose a specific character to write to. Describe what the movie/book/show/ character has meant to you!
Let’s dig deeper into your favorite characters’ challenges, strengths, and emotions, so you and your students can start to recognize where and how you can take control of your own wellbeing.
Here’s what you’ll get:
- Resource sheet introduction to the happiness skill
- Access to key scenes from Inside Out as it relates to the skill
- Key learnings from the scenes as it relates to the happiness skill
- Printable worksheet to put the skill into practice with the Inside Out movies
- Sample Answer Key relevant to the Inside Out movies
- Access to comprehensive movie Guide on the Side with more activities to teach the skills of happiness while watching Inside Out and Inside Out 2
Why you’ll love this activity:
* You can use each worksheet as a stand-alone activity or as a bundle
*The activities are easy to print and customize in your classroom or at home
*Connect with others and prompt discussions around emotions and wellbeing
*Perfect practices for the end of the school year and summer break
*It can be fun (and helpful!) to understand what’s happening in our brains
*All activities can be used for any movie, book, or show!
Ways to Use
- Incorporate into SEL curriculum
- Integrate into small groups and/or individual counseling sessions
- Watch movie in full, then discuss & practice activities after OR take an intermission after key scenes to dive right in
- 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
** Download the full Movie Guide on the Side: Inside Out Edition **
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.
Proof Positive's resources are and will always be free. Be well!
Bonus access to full lesson plans and unit studies on the skills of happiness at our Skill Center
