The Gratitude Express - Teacher Resource - Lesson: The Gratitude Express

Oct 19, 2026

Teacher Resource lesson guide for The Gratitude Express, supporting students to understand and practice expressing gratitude in real time. Activities include brainstorming ways to show gratitude, imagining a magical train journey to thank meaningful people, tracking feelings and responses during shared reading, and reflecting through discussion and brain-based “brain bite” notes. Students then apply learning via “Say It Now” letters, gratitude mapping, and a gratitude interview, culminating in classroom posting through a Gratitude Wall.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Purpose and Objectives

Themes and Implementation Tips

Estimated Time and Brain Bite

Part 1: You Read

Ways to Show Gratitude (Discussion)

Magical Train Prompt

Personal Paragraph Writing

Part 2: Engaged Reading

Notice and Note Prompts

Teacher Reading Options and Check-ins

Part 3: Reflect, Personalize, Apply

Discussion Questions

Activity 1: Say It Now Letter

Activity 2: Gratitude Mapping

Activity 3: Gratitude Interview

Ways to Show Gratitude

The Gratitude Express Teacher Resource Lesson: The Gratitude Express Purpose: Materials: This guide accompanies The Gratitude Express, a story about Daniel’s magical train journey to moments and people from his past who shaped his life — and the realization that we shouldn’t wait to express gratitude. Objective: Students understand the importance of expressing gratitude in real time. Students identify personal connections to the story’s themes. Students practice expressing gratitude through written, spoken, or creative forms. Themes: Gratitude Relationships Reflection Empathy Courage Implementation Tips: Adapt timing: This can be a single block lesson or spread over 2–3 days. Model vulnerability: Share a personal gratitude story of your own to encourage openness. Celebrate actions: Create a classroom “Gratitude Wall”(either physically in your class or digitally on a virtual whiteboard) where students can post notes about people they’ve expressed gratitude to. A copy of The Gratitude Express (book or read-aloud) Student notebooks or printed worksheets (provided below) Pens/pencils Chart paper or whiteboard Estimated Time: 2-3 lessons (can be shortened) Brain Bite What’s good for the body is good for the brain. What’s good for the brain is good for the body! Throughout the lessons you will find brain icons with actions and facts about the brain. It is important for students to understand the importance of the brain and how it impacts our well-being. Part1.B(-4inu) You Read Purpose: Activate prior knowledge, build personal connection, set a purpose for reading. Step 1: On the board, write “Ways to Show Gratitude.” Invite students to share ideas—verbal, written, creative, group experiences. Encourage all forms (big and small) . As a class, brainstorm ways people can show they’re grateful for someonel. Students will also write 3–5 ideas in their own notebooks. Optional worksheet included below Step 2: Ask: If there were a magical train that could take you to any place, any time to express gratitude to someone, where would you go and who would you visit? Have students jot responses, then share in pairs. Students should write at least 3 sentences to describe the time, place, and person they wish to thank. Step 3: Guide students to think about someone who has influenced their life — a teacher, coach, family member, friend. Ask students to write a paragraph about that person and whether they’ve shared their appreciation. Remind students to reflect on what the person has done for them and to consider if this person knows the impact they have had Brain Bite Reflecting on your past experiences helps engage the prefrontal cortex and improve synaptic connections. This engagement then helps improve memory and cognitive ability. Part2. (uinut) ing Reading Purpose: Focus attention, track observations, engage actively with the text. Notice and Note Prompts: While we read, remind students to pay attention to: How Daniel’s feelings about expressing gratitude change from beginning to end. The different stops the Gratitude Express makes —what each teaches Daniel about his past and relationships. How people respond when Daniel expresses or hears gratitude. Teacher Instructions: Read the story aloud, play an audiobook, or have students read independently/in groups. If reading as a class (or remind students to if reading in groups/independently), pause after each major stop on the train for quick check-ins: What did Daniel learn here? How does this moment connect to the theme of gratitude? Brain Bite Expressing gratitude to someone helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system. This helps your body relax and be calm. Part3. (4- 50insr) Reading Purpose: Reflect, personalize, and apply the message. Discussion Questions: Teacher to choose 3-5 to focus on: Why do people often wait until someone has passed away to share

FAQs

What is the purpose of this lesson from The Gratitude Express teacher resource?

Students learn the importance of expressing gratitude in real time, connect personal experiences to the story’s themes, and practice gratitude through written, spoken, or creative forms.

How should students engage with the story during Part 2 reading?

Students focus attention using Notice and Note prompts about how Daniel’s feelings change, the lessons from each train stop, and how people respond when gratitude is expressed or heard.

What activities help students apply the gratitude theme after reading?

Students write a “Say It Now” letter, create a gratitude map with thanked and not yet thanked people, and complete a gratitude interview with a family member or friend.

Oct 19, 2026

Uploaded by River Wang