Hands-on Ways to Practice Gratitude in the Classroom

Celebrate the season of gratitude with 5 classroom projects that center on thankfulness and community

Helping children notice, name and share what they’re thankful for is a skill many educators intentionally nurture this time of year. By creating space for gratitude-driven activities, you foster an attitude of thankfulness that students can carry with them—into their homes, their friendships and the communities that matter most to them. These small moments of appreciation can spark big joy as students learn to recognize and express the things that make their world brighter.

Here are five simple, creative projects that encourage reflection and help build a culture of gratitude in your classroom.

1. Thankfulness Turkeys

This classic craft remains beloved for a reason—and with the help of the MARK 5 Die-Cutting Machine and the Turkey #4 Die Cut, it becomes even more fun and polished. Begin by cutting the turkey body from brown construction paper. Use orange to cut the beak and feet, red for the snood and white for the eyes. Then cut feathers in warm fall colors. Students can assemble their turkey and write “I am thankful for…” on the tummy. Each feather becomes a space for them to write one thing they appreciate. This simple activity gives students a concrete, colorful way to reflect on what matters most to them.

2. Thankfulness Cards

Letter writing is a meaningful skill many students practice throughout elementary school, and gratitude cards offer a heartfelt way to connect that skill with thankfulness. Using the MARK 5 and the Turkey #2 Die Cut, cut the pop-up page and fold a 9" x 12" piece of construction paper in half for the card base. Students can color and decorate a turkey cutout, add a wiggle eye and attach it to the pop-up section. Once the card is assembled, they can decorate it inside and out before writing a thoughtful message to someone they appreciate. These cards are keepsakes students are always proud to give.

3. Classroom Wreath of Thankfulness

Gratitude often grows through community—and this collaborative project is a beautiful way to capture that spirit. With the MARK 5, the Leaf–Oak & Acorn Die Cut, and the Ring Die Cut, create the elements for a classroom wreath that showcases what students value about their learning environment. Cut a ring from posterboard and prepare a collection of leaves in fall shades. Students each write one thing they’re thankful for about your classroom or their learning. Add a yellow banner that reads “I Am Thankful” and decorate the wreath with acorns cut from light and dark brown. Assembling it all together creates a striking display that reflects the heart of your classroom community.

4. Thankful Display Board

Many classrooms explore the themes and traditions associated with Thanksgiving, and this display offers a way for students to connect historical learning with their own modern reflections on gratitude. Using the MARK 5, the Border–Leaves Die Cut, the Thanksgiving Set Die Cuts, and your preferred alphabet set (shown: 4" Block Alphabet), begin by cutting a leaf border for your bulletin board. Then cut out shapes such as turkeys, ships, and figures for students to color and attach to their writing. Students can summarize what they’ve learned and compare it with how they celebrate gratitude with loved ones today. Additional decorated pieces can be placed around the writing for a warm, seasonal display.

5. Gratitude Journals

As students grow as writers, opportunities for reflective and expressive writing become increasingly valuable. These gratitude journals, made using the MARK 5 and the Book–Turkey Die Cut, are perfect for encouraging deeper thinking during November—or all year long. Cut brown cardstock for the covers, then cut turkeys and feathers in assorted colors. Students can decorate their covers by arranging feathers and adding personal touches with marker outlines. Inside pages can be cut from white paper and bound with ribbon or yarn. These journals give students a special space to explore gratitude in their own words.

A Season of Thanks in Every Classroom

Each of these projects invites students to slow down, think, and express what they’re grateful for in creative, meaningful ways. By weaving reflective, hands-on activities into your lessons, you’re helping your scholars build habits of gratitude they will carry far beyond the classroom—creating moments of joy, connection, and appreciation that stay with them long after the season ends. 

Written by Amy Pinegar.