As Thanksgiving approaches (Thursday, November 26, in the United States), we are taking the opportunity to celebrate Gratitude Week, which will take place at our school from November 23 to 27.
The aim of this initiative is simple: to encourage small acts of kindness, share positive experiences and create opportunities for connection across our school community. After all, a little gesture, a kind word or a shared moment can make a big difference!
To celebrate the week, we are proposing three simple activities that everyone is welcome to join. They can be enjoyed individually, shared with colleagues or incorporated into classroom activities.
1. The Gratitude Exchange Sharing little moments of happiness
Sometimes, the smallest things are the ones that brighten our day. This activity invites students to share one of those little moments with someone else.
Each student receives a card and completes the following sentence:
“One small thing that has brightened my week is…”
Once completed, the cards are folded and placed in a box. Participants then pick one at random and discover a little piece of happiness shared by someone else.
The idea is not to thank a particular person, but rather to share something positive anonymously with someone in our school community.
Cards will be available in different languages, and teachers can organise the activity during class or set it as a short homework task to be discussed in the following lesson.
You will also find a box in the entrance hall containing the instructions and cards in all the available languages.
2. Paper Fortune Cookies Little challenges, everyday kindness
Fancy a little surprise? Head to the entrance hall, where you will find a box or basket filled with small messages and challenges inspired by gratitude and kindness.
Each slip of paper contains a simple suggestion or a little challenge to encourage us to bring more kindness into our everyday lives and make the people around us feel appreciated.
There will be around 30 different suggestions in each language, so both students and teachers can pick one at random and take on their own little challenge. Extra slips will also be available for teachers who would like to use the activity in their classrooms.
And here's the fun part: you can add your own ideas, too! Blank slips of paper will be provided for anyone who wishes to write a personal message, suggestion or kindness challenge and leave it in the box. The more ideas we share, the richer the activity becomes!
3. The Gratitude Café Taking time to talk, connect and appreciate
Sometimes, all we need is a few minutes to stop, have a chat and enjoy each other's company. That's the spirit behind the Gratitude Café!
The idea is to create a relaxed space for conversation and sharing, ideally in a common area, perhaps accompanied by a cup of coffee, a biscuit or a piece of chocolate. Alternatively, it can be organised in the classroom by simply setting aside a few minutes for a friendly conversation.
Participants will receive cards featuring questions and conversation prompts about gratitude, everyday joys and the little (or big!) things that make life special. They will then have around 3–4 minutes to chat and share their thoughts.
The cards will be available in different languages.
To make the experience even more enjoyable, we encourage everyone to bring along some biscuits or chocolates and share one with someone they don't usually get the chance to talk to. It's a lovely excuse to strike up a conversation and get to know one another a little better. Of course, bringing a treat is entirely optional!
We could also organise this activity after Tim's talk, turning it into a lovely opportunity for the whole school community to come together and enjoy some quality time.
A little kindness goes a long way!
We hope you find these ideas inspiring and feel encouraged to take part in Gratitude Week. None of these activities requires much time or preparation, but each offers a small opportunity to make our school a warmer, friendlier and more connected place.
Whether you choose to share a happy moment, take on a random act of kindness or simply enjoy a conversation over a cup of coffee, every little gesture counts!
Thank you in advance for your enthusiasm and cooperation.
Remember: every contribution matters, no matter how small. Everyone is welcome, and any level of participation is greatly appreciated!
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