Our Virtue Lesson About Thankfulness
A Unit Study to Help Young Catholics Learn About Being Thankful
The Lesson
This Virtue of Thankfulness Unit Study celebrates having gratitude, and it is intended to help Catholic kids practice and live their faith in a real way. It is designed to be used daily, over a month. With a weekly core lesson, daily reinforcement with scripture discussions, prayer, and the incentive progress sheets, children quickly learn how to recognize and begin practicing the virtue of thankfulness. Additional worksheets and activities extend learning fun.
Unit Summary
Grade Level: K-6
Age: 6-10
Focus: Virtue Lesson Unit Study
Theme: Thankfulness, thankful, gratitude
Step 1. Download the Lesson Packet
This packet contains the teacher info as well as the main lesson and activity sheets needed for students.
Step 2. Download the Support Materials
This unit study helps to train young learners in developing habits to form and live virtuous lives. It does this by incorporating a variety of fun and engaging components. Each is listed below along with additional support materials to accompany and extend each lesson component.
Aesop’s Fables Materials
Aesop’s Fables provide simple but effective use of short stories to teach morality.
This unit study incorporates the use of moral tales. These short fables by Aesop highlight the work of Milo Winter, and they are used in weeks two and three of this unit study. This resource has over-sized text and a color image, which make it appealing to young readers. Excellent discussions can occur with such simple stories. Sometimes the stories selected can fit into other virtues as well as the one presented. Feel free to use them repeatedly.
Although most morals are relatively clear-cut, there are a few stories that require thought as to their selection and inclusion in this unit study. Sometimes it is because they provide a positive example of the highlighted virtue, other times it is because they are a negative or contrary example of the virtue. Having older learners come up with a reason for why the fable was selected is a great exercise and can even be turned into a simple writing assignment. Writing paper featuring the thematic image for this particular virtue is provided. For younger students, trace copywork reiterating the moral is offered in both print and cursive styles for reinforcement.
Download the Aesop Materials Below.
Teach Using Aesop's Fable of a Raven and a Swan. Enjoy a printable version of this timeless fable from Aesop designed to help teach a lesson in virtuous behavior and morality. This resource has over-sized text and a color image, which make it...
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Teach Using Aesop's Fable of a Raven and a Swan. Enjoy a printable version of this timeless fable from Aesop designed to help teach a lesson in virtuous behavior and morality. This resource has over-sized text and a color image, which make it...
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Learn with the Aesop’s Fables Montessori Cards Set 5 Playing, reading, and moral training don't usually go together, but they do in the case of our Aesop's Fables Montessori cards. Use these cards to help children explore, ponder, and remember...
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Share Aesop's Fable: The Hares and the Frogs. Enjoy a printable version of this timeless fable from Aesop designed to help teach a lesson in virtuous behavior and morality. This resource has oversized text and a color image, which makes it appealing...
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Focus on the moral truth from Aesop's Fable of the Hares and the Frogs. Find two copywork sheets in this Aesop Copywork Set for the Hares and the Frogs. There is one to trace in cursive and the other in manuscript. A generous writing area has been provided...
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Kids Can Have Fun Using the Aesop’s Fables Montessori Cards Set 6 Use these cards to help children explore, ponder, and remember all the great moral teachings from Aesop in The Aesop for Children, Illustrated by Milo Winter. Montessori cards...
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Scripture Suggestions for the Virtue of Thankfulness
“Be anxious about nothing. But in all things, with prayer and supplication, with acts of thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. And so shall the peace of God, which exceeds all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
“I speak not as it were for want. For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content therewith.” – Philippians 4:11
“But piety with sufficiency is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and there is no doubt that we can take nothing away. But, having nourishment and some kind of covering, we should be content with these.” – 1 Timothy 6:6-8
Additional Passages:
Proverbs 15:16
Luke 17:16
Ephesians 5:20
Colossians 3:15
Revelation 11:17
1 Timothy 4:4-5
The quotes and references provided above are taken from the Douay-Rheims Translation of the Holy Bible.
Ideas for Studying Scripture Using This Unit Study
Choose a favorite scripture passage about thankfulness from your own collection or the selection above to discuss with students. You may wish to use a passage for copywork or handwriting practice. Writing Paper is provided featuring the thematic image for this particular virtue.
Alternately, students may be encouraged to study about the virtue of thankfulness with a fun, hands-on activity F3 (Flip, Flap, Fold) Tab Booklet. Learners cut out tabbed pieces, arrange them in order, and staple to finish construction. Students can then write in the book. Kids should write the scripture notation on the tabbed edge and the body of the text on the piece. Children may copy a Bible verse presented by the teacher featuring this virtue, or they may give a narration of a favorite verse they may have studied previously.
This tabbed F3 piece can accommodate up to five different scripture passages. Versions are provided in black-and-white as well as color and feature the thematic image used throughout the unit study. Finished books can be glued into a notebook or blank F3 folder.
Read our article with pictures on How to Assemble an F3 Bible Verse Piece.
Make Scripture Study Fun with Our F3 Tab Booklet - Bible Verses About Thankfulness. Our F3 Tab Booklet - Bible Verses About Thankfulness encourages Bible study about thankfulness (gratitude). Learners cut out tabbed pieces, arrange them in order,...
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Writing Sheet Prompts Thoughts About Being Thankful. This writing sheet has just the right amount of cuteness to draw young writers to share their thoughts about thankfulness. It includes a black-and-white and color version of the writing sheet. This...
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Reading Activities and The Book List
Select a book from the list below to read to or with your students to help them see some examples of this virtue in action. Each title incorporates or focuses on the virtue of thankfulness in some way – either in the theme, the plot or through a specific character. Some characters will provide a positive example of virtue while other characters seem to lack virtue at times.
Don’t forget that picture books are great for any age group and present ideas very clearly. Children can use the “Reading Log Bookmark” included in this unit to help them keep track of their reading.
Use the “Dr. Virtue’s Discussion Questions” cards to help learners make connections between the stories and the virtue being studied. Older learners may enjoy being led in a book discussion using the question cards as prompts. The cards can also be given out to students to answer on their own as a writing assignment or proof of learning.
Some learners may enjoy doing a book report or review a specific book. Use one of our fun templates below to guide young readers or new writers.
Look through the selection of reading suggestions below. Feel free to use other titles as well.
Picture Books That Can Teach About Thankfulness
The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks by Jan and Mike Berenstain
The Berenstain Bears Count Their Blessings by Stan and Jan Berenstain
The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
Just So Thankful by Mercer Mayer
Something Special by David McPhail
It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny by Marilyn Sadler
Simple Pictures Are Best by Nancy Willard
Chapter Books That Can Teach About Thankfulness
The Book of Virtues by William J. Bennett
The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney
Parables from Nature by Mrs. Gatty
Little Women by Louise May Alcott
Little Men by Louisa May Alcott
Download the Additional Reading Aids Below.
Help Young Catholics to Learn About Thankfulness as They Track Their Reading Progress. Young readers can easily keep track of the books they read with this fun bookmark that reinforces the virtue of thankfulness. With each completed book or story,...
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Simple Book Review Helps Children Explore Reading and Sharing Their Opinions with Others Do you have a learner who likes giving their opinions about anything and everything? You could easily use that to your advantage with this simple book review....
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This Recipe Book Report Brings Smiles and Fun to Literature Exploration. Do you have a child who likes to cook? Are you looking for something completely different to use to pick apart your child's favorite read? Look no further. This fun Recipe...
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This Six-Page Blank Detailed Book Report Is Ready Fun for Beginning Readers and Writers. Many times when we think of book reports, we think of something stale, cut and dry. Perhaps we envision something full of research, or something, dare I...
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Saint Study
Saint study is essential, which is why it is incorporated into this unit study. Every saint uniquely encounters Christ. From simple living to doing great pious works, shepherding the Church to evangelizing to the nations, the saints followed a path to our Lord. We, too, can follow a path to Christ by studying their lives. When kids learn about the holy heroes of the Faith, they can feel encouraged to grow in various virtues, including thankfulness.
Help children better understand the virtue of thankfulness by learning about St. John of the Cross, the patron saint of contemplatives, mystics, and Spanish poets. The What Can St. John of the Cross Teach Me About Thankfulness Worksheet is included in the lesson packet to help guide students on a simple study of this saint.
Below are some fun and creative ways to incorporate the study of St. John of the Cross into this virtue lesson.
Help Kids Become Familiar with Some Holy Heroes with the Saints We Celebrate in December Word Search...
See the Events in the Month by Using the December 2022 Printable Liturgical Calendar Page. The...
Use Our Saint John of the Cross Double-Sided Saint Trading Card to Introduce Young Catholics to a Doctor...
Foster Saint Study with the St. John of the Cross Saint Biography Card. This little St. John of the Cross...
Celebrate the Saints with Our Saint John of the Cross Cupcake Topper! Create a simple Saint John...
Introduce Young Catholics to Saint Study with the Poster of St. John of the Cross. Decorate your...
Discover the Virtue of Thankfulness by Studying About St. John of the Cross. Help children learn about...
The St. John of the Cross Saint Profile Sheet Can Help Catholics Get to Know St. John of the Cross. This...
Teach Young Catholics About St. John of the Cross. Help children learn about this great Saint...
Invite Saint Study with the St. John of the Cross Mini-Book. This printable St. John of the Cross...
See All of Our Resources About Thankfulness
Browse our entire collection of materials that incorporate the virtue of thankfulness in some way. See individual materials from this virtue lesson as well as additional activities not found in the lesson.
We Should Not Waste Food Poster Set
Focus on Having Gratitude for Our Food with the We Should Not Waste Food Poster Set.
Use the We...
Our Virtue Lessons for Kids Check-Off Sheet
Teachers Can Track Series Progress with Our Virtue Lessons for Kids Check-Off Sheet.
Our Virtue Lessons...
Our Virtue Lesson About Thankfulness Unit Study
Teach Young Catholics About Gratitude with Our Virtue Lesson About Thankfulness Unit Study.
Our Virtue...
A-Z Quest for the Virtue of Thankfulness
Our A-Z Quest for the Virtue of Thankfulness Can Help Kids Reflect on Gratitude.
Invite children...
Virtue of Thankfulness Chart Set
Help Children Learn to be Thankful and Grateful.
Use this progress incentive chart set featuring...
Virtue of Thankfulness Keytag Set
Encourage and Recognize the Thankful Behavior of Your Students.
Consider using these Virtue of Thankfulness...
Virtue of Thankfulness Word Search Worksheet
Use Word Fun to Reinforce the Virtue of Thankfulness.
Help young Catholics to better understand...
Dig Deeper into the Virtue of Thankfulness Worksheet
Prompt Young Catholics to Think About and Discuss the Virtue of Thankfulness.
Help children recall...
Grow in the Virtue of Thankfulness Prayer Worksheet
Remind Young Catholics of Ways to Live Out the Virtue of Thankfulness.
Help children learn easy...
Picture It - The Virtue of Thankfulness Worksheet
Encourage Young Catholics to Explore the Virtue of Thankfulness by Using Their Drawing Skills.
Help...
Focus on Having Gratitude for Our Food with the We Should Not Waste Food Poster Set. Use the We...
Teachers Can Track Series Progress with Our Virtue Lessons for Kids Check-Off Sheet. Our Virtue Lessons...
Teach Young Catholics About Gratitude with Our Virtue Lesson About Thankfulness Unit Study. Our Virtue...
Our A-Z Quest for the Virtue of Thankfulness Can Help Kids Reflect on Gratitude. Invite children...
Help Children Learn to be Thankful and Grateful. Use this progress incentive chart set featuring...
Encourage and Recognize the Thankful Behavior of Your Students. Consider using these Virtue of Thankfulness...
Use Word Fun to Reinforce the Virtue of Thankfulness. Help young Catholics to better understand...
Prompt Young Catholics to Think About and Discuss the Virtue of Thankfulness. Help children recall...
Remind Young Catholics of Ways to Live Out the Virtue of Thankfulness. Help children learn easy...
Encourage Young Catholics to Explore the Virtue of Thankfulness by Using Their Drawing Skills. Help...