Counting Everyday Gifts Name: Class: Written by IMELDA S. CALEON and RONNEL B. KING 1 CONTENT • Group Gratitude Collage 3 • Elements of Gratitude 5 • Counting Gifts at Home 8 • Counting Gifts at School 12 • Counting Gifts from Friends 16 • Counting Gifts from the Community 20 • Counting Gifts: Making Gratitude Visible 24 Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 2 GROUP GRATITUDE COLLAGE Objectives By the end of the activity, you will be able to: 1. 2. 3. 4. Describe the characteristics of a “gift”; State the potential benefits of making a collage of gifts; Develop awareness of gifts that are usually taken for granted; and Work in groups to create and present a collage of gifts. Main Activity Part 1. Sharing within Group 1. Form groups of five or six students. 2. Look at the pictures/ magazine cutouts that we have provided to your group. 3. Find 3 to 4 pictures that represent or remind you of the GIFTS/BLESSINGS (events/benefits/favor) that you are MOST THANKFUL for. 4. Share your ideas about the pictures that you have with your group mates. • Why did you choose those pictures? • What gift does each picture represent or remind you of? • Why are you thankful for these gifts? Part 2. Group Collage 1. Combine the pictures/magazine cut outs to create a group collage representing GIFTS/ BLESSINGS that you feel most grateful for. 2. Organize the pictures to create a theme representing the GIFTS/ BLESSINGS that your group selected. 3. Think of a NAME for your group in relation to this theme. Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 3 Part 3. Sharing of Collage to the Class Choose a member of the group to present your collage. Each group has about 2 minutes to present. The presenter of each group can share about the following: • What is the theme your collage? • What do they represent? • Why are your members thankful for such gifts or blessings? POST ACTIVITY REFLECTION 1. What did you feel while doing the activity? 2. What do you think about the activity? Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 4 ELEMENTS OF GRATITUDE Objectives By the end of the activity, you will be able to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Define gratitude Describe the key elements of gratitude Describe the key characteristics of a “gift” Develop an awareness of gifts that are usually taken for granted Work in groups to share about most memorable gift State the importance of being grateful Main Activity Part 1. Key Attributes of Gifts What are the key characteristics of gifts? Part 2. Memorable Gift 1. Think about the most memorable gift that you have received. Describe it on the Activity Sheet. You may draw a representation of this gift. 2. Answer the following guide questions about this gift. a. Who or what (i.e., giver) is responsible for this gift? What do you think was the intention of the giver in giving it to you? b. How did this gift make your life better (benefit)? c. What cost or risk did the giver incur to give you this gift? d. Did you earn this gift? What makes you less deserving of this gift? e. Did you find this gift surprising (i.e., something unexpected) or unsurprising (i.e., something that you are certain to be part of your life? In what way? Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 5 ACTIVITY SHEET My Most Memorable Gift a. Who or what (i.e., giver) is responsible for this gift? What do you think was the intention of the giver in giving it to you? b. What cost or risk did the giver incur to give you this gift? c. Why are you grateful for this gift? How did this gift make your life better (i.e., benefit)? d. Did you earn this gift? What makes you less deserving of this gift? e. Did you find this gift surprising (i.e., something unexpected) or unsurprising (i.e., something that you are certain to be part of your life? In what way? Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 6 Part 3. Sharing within Group • • • Form groups of four. Take turns to share about your most memorable gift. Why are you thankful for these gifts? Just share what you are comfortable sharing. For the rest of the group members, share your thoughts or reactions about what has been shared by your group mates. POST ACTIVITY REFLECTION 1. What did you feel while doing the activity? 2. What do you think about the activity? Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 7 COUNTING GIFTS AT HOME Objectives By the end of the activity, you will be able to: 1. Prepare a list of gifts received from or experienced with family members 2. Explain why you are grateful for the gifts received at home 3. Share about the gifts received at home to peers Main Activity Part 1. My Gifts at Home 1. Recall the key attributes of gifts from the previous activity. 2. Write down two gifts that you received from or experienced with family members during the past five days. You may draw a symbol representing these gifts. 3. Answer the following questions in relation to each gift: a. Who or what (giver) is responsible for this gift? What was the intention of the giver in giving you this gift? b. What cost was incurred by the giver to produce this gift? Think about the extra effort or sacrifice, if any, of the giver. c. Why are you grateful for each gift? How less deserving of this gift? d. Did you earn this gift? What makes you less deserving of this gift? e. Did you find this gift surprising (i.e., something unexpected) or unsurprising (i.e., something that you are certain to be part of your life? In what way? Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 8 ACTIVITY SHEET Gift 1: I am grateful for a. Who is the family member who gave you this gift (i.e., giver)? What do you think was his or her intention in giving the gift to you? b. What cost was incurred by the giver to offer you this gift? Think about the extra effort or sacrifice, if any, of the giver. c. Why you are grateful for this gift? How did this gift benefit you? How did this gift make your life better? d. Did you earn this gift? What makes you less deserving of this gift? e. Did you find this gift surprising (i.e., something unexpected) or unsurprising (i.e., something that you are certain to be part of your life? In what way? Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 9 ACTIVITY SHEET Gift 2: I am grateful for a. Who is the family member who gave you this gift (i.e., giver)? What do you think was his or her intention in giving the gift to you? b. What cost was incurred by the giver to offer you this gift? Think about the extra effort or sacrifice, if any, of the giver. c. Why you are grateful for this gift? How did this gift benefit you? How did this gift make your life better? d. Did you earn this gift? What makes you less deserving of this gift? e. Did you find this gift surprising (i.e., something unexpected) or unsurprising (i.e., something that you are certain to be part of your life? In what way? Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 10 Part 2. Sharing Gifts • Take turns sharing about the gifts that you received at home with the person seated next to you. Share only those aspects of your gifts that you feel comfortable sharing. • When your partner is done sharing, describe your positive thoughts and reactions to what you have heard. POST ACTIVITY REFLECTION 1. What did you feel while doing the activity? 2. What do you think about the activity? Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 11 COUNTING GIFTS AT SCHOOL Objectives By the end of the activity, you will be able to: 1. Prepare a list of gifts received from people or experienced at school 2. Explain why you are grateful for the gifts received at school 3. Share about the gifts received to peers Main Activity Part 1. My Gifts at School 1. Recall the key attributes of gifts from the previous activity. 2. Write down two gifts that you received from school members during the past five days. You may also draw a symbol representing these gifts. 3. Answer the following questions in relation to each gift: a. What do you think was the intention of this school member in giving you this gift? b. What cost or risk did this school member incur to give you this gift? c. Why are you grateful for this gift? How did this gift benefit you? How did this gift make your life better? d. Did you earn this gift? What makes you less deserving of this gift? e. Did you find this gift surprising (i.e., something unexpected) or unsurprising (i.e., something that you are certain to be part of your life? In what way? Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 12 ACTIVITY SHEET Gift 1: I am grateful for a. Who is the school member that gave you or is responsible for this gift (i.e., giver)? What do you think was the intention of the giver in giving it to you? b. What cost was incurred by this school member to offer you this gift? Think about this school member’s time, effort or sacrifice to come up with this gift? c. Why you are grateful for this gift? How did this gift benefit you? How did this gift make your life better? d. Did you earn this gift? What makes you less deserving of this gift? e. Did you find this gift surprising (i.e., something unexpected) or unsurprising (i.e., something that you are certain to be part of your life? In what way? Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 13 ACTIVITY SHEET Gift 2: I am grateful for a. Who is the school member that gave you or is responsible for this gift (i.e., giver)? What do you think was the intention of the giver in giving it to you? b. What cost was incurred by this school member to offer you this gift? Think about this school member’s time, effort or sacrifice to come up with this gift? c. Why you are grateful for this gift? How did this gift benefit you? How did this gift make your life better? d. Did you earn this gift? What makes you less deserving of this gift? e. Did you find this gift surprising (i.e., something unexpected) or unsurprising (i.e., something that you are certain to be part of your life? In what way? Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 14 Part 2. Sharing Gifts • • • The person seating next to you will be your partner. Take turns to share about the two gifts at school for which you are most grateful during the past five days. Just share items that you feel comfortable sharing. After hearing what your partner shared, you may give some positive reactions or realizations. POST ACTIVITY REFLECTION 1. What did you feel while doing the activity? 2. What do you think about the activity? Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 15 COUNTING GIFTS FROM FRIENDS Objectives By the end of the activity, you will be able to: 1. Prepare a list of gifts received from or experienced with friends 2. Explain why you are grateful for the gifts received from friends 3. Share about the gifts received to peers Main Activity Part 1. My Gifts from friends 1. Recall the key attributes of gifts from the previous activity. 2. Write down two gifts that you received from or experienced with friends during the past five days. You may also add a drawing representing these gifts. 3. Answer the following questions in relation to each gift: a. What is the name of your friend who gave you this gift? What do you think was his or her intention in giving this gift you? b. What cost or risk did your friend incur to give you this gift? c. Why are you grateful for this gift? How did this gift benefit you?How did this gift make your life better? d. Did you earn this gift? What makes you less deserving of this gift? e. Did you find this gift surprising (i.e., something unexpected) or unsurprising (i.e., something that you are certain to be part of your life)? In what way? Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 16 ACTIVITY SHEET Gift 1: I am grateful for a. What is the name of your friend who gave you this gift? What do you think was his or her intention in giving this gift you? b. What cost was incurred by your friend to offer you this gift? Think about your friend’s effort, time spent, and/or sacrifice to give you this gift. c. Why you are grateful for this gift? How did this gift benefit you? How did this gift make your life better? d. Did you earn this gift? What makes you less deserving of this gift? e. Did you find this gift surprising (i.e., something unexpected) or unsurprising (i.e., something that you are certain to be part of your life? In what way? Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 17 ACTIVITY SHEET Gift 2: I am grateful for a. What is the name of your friend who gave you this gift? What do you think was his or her intention in giving this gift you? b. What cost was incurred by your friend to offer you this gift? Think about your friend’s effort, time spent, and/or sacrifice to give you this gift. c. Why you are grateful for this gift? How did this gift benefit you? How did this gift make your life better? d. Did you earn this gift? What makes you less deserving of this gift? e. Did you find this gift surprising (i.e., something unexpected) or unsurprising (i.e., something that you are certain to be part of your life? In what way? Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 18 Part 2. Sharing Gifts • • • Form groups of three. Take turns sharing about the gift from friends that you are most grateful for during the past five days. For the rest of the group members, you may share your positive reactions to what has been shared by each of your groupmates. POST ACTIVITY REFLECTION 1. What did you feel while doing the activity? 2. What do you think about the activity? Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 19 COUNTING GIFTS FROM THE COMMUNITY Objectives By the end of the activity, you will be able to: 1. Prepare a list of gifts received from people or experienced with friends 2. Explain why you are grateful for the gifts received from community members 3. Share about the gifts received to peers Main Activity Part 1. My Gifts from the Community 1. Recall the key attributes of gifts from the previous activity. 2. Write down two gifts that you received from people, groups, or institutions at the community during the past five days. You may also add a drawing representing these gifts. 3. Answer the following questions in relation to each gift: a. What do you think was the intention of this community member or group in giving you this gift? b. What cost or risk did the community member or group incur to give you this gift? c. Why are you grateful for this gift? How did this gift benefit you? How did this gift make your life better? d. Did you earn this gift? What makes you less deserving of this gift? e. Did you find this gift surprising (i.e., something unexpected) or unsurprising (i.e., something that you are certain to be part of your life? In what way? Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 20 ACTIVITY SHEET Gift 1: I am grateful for a. Who is the community member or group that gave you or is responsible for this gift? What do you think was the intention of this community member or group in giving the gift to you? b. What cost was incurred by the community member or group to give you this gift? Think about the time, effort and/or sacrifice that this community member or group spent to offer you this gift. c. Why you are grateful for this gift? How did this gift benefit you? How did this gift make your life better? d. Did you earn this gift? What makes you less deserving of this gift? e. Did you find this gift surprising (i.e., something unexpected) or unsurprising (i.e., something that you are certain to be part of your life? In what way? Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 21 ACTIVITY SHEET Gift 2: I am grateful for a. Who is the community member or group that gave you or is responsible for this gift? What do you think was the intention of this community member or group in giving the gift to you? b. What cost was incurred by the community member or group to give you this gift? Think about the time, effort and/or sacrifice that this community member or group spent to offer you this gift. c. Why you are grateful for this gift? How did this gift benefit you? How did this gift make your life better? d. Did you earn this gift? What makes you less deserving of this gift? e. Did you find this gift surprising (i.e., something unexpected) or unsurprising (i.e., something that you are certain to be part of your life? In what way? Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 22 Part 2. Sharing Gifts • • • Form groups of four. Take turns sharing about the gift from the community that you are most grateful for during the past five days. The rest of the group members may share your positive reactions to what has been shared by your groupmate. POST ACTIVITY REFLECTION 1. What did you feel while doing the activity? 2. What do you think about the activity? Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 23 COUNTING GIFTS: MAKING GRATITUDE VISIBLE Objectives By the end of the activity, you will be able to: 1. Reflect on gifts from and express gratitude to special people from different domains of life 2. Create an art form from completed gratitude notes 3. Provide feedback on the gratitude activities Main Activity Part 1. Gratitude Heart Notes 1. You will be provided with four gratitude heart notes. 2.Write a gratitude note for a special person from domain of your life (i.e., school, family, friendship, and community). As a member of _____family, I am grateful for….because… As student of _____ , I am grateful for… because…. As member of ______group, I am grateful for… because…. As member of ______community, I am grateful for… because…. Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 24 COUNTING GIFTS: MAKING GRATITUDE VISIBLE Part 2. Gratitude Art 1. Put together all your heart notes to represent a figure that represent the ideas written by the group members. 2. Choose one member of your group to present your Gratitude art. Each group has about 2 minutes to present. Counting Everyday Gifts - Activity Booklet 25 FINAL REFLECTION 1. What did you feel after doing all of the Counting Gifts activities? 2. What did you learn from the activities? 3. Which activity did you like most? Why? 4. Is there any activity that you didn't like? If yes, why? 5. Please write down your suggestions, if there are any, to improve the activities. Counting Everyday Gifts Activity Booklet 26 24 Counting Everyday Gifts