Edna Louise Spear Elementary School librarian Mrs. Meg Hoon tapped into her creative energies to share a timely lesson on gratitude. Recently, she read Peter Reynolds’ “Our Table” to a fourth grade class. The story focuses on a family’s connection at the dinner table before life, distractions and technology pulled them all away from one another. After reading the story Mrs. Hoon gave groups of students a gratitude game board that she created with questions about a person, place, thing, food or friend that each student was grateful for. The students rolled a die and whatever color they landed on they shared answers to that question.

“We are all so busy in our lives, it was a great way for students to connect with each other over the game,” Mrs. Hoon said.

The lesson was part of a larger Culture of Care initiative where teachers are proactive and students are motivated by the positive effects of monthly themes, which in addition to gratitude include courage, empathy, friendship, inclusivity, kindness, reflection, respect and wellness.

It is a broad and holistic approach to the concepts of the story they read: to gather at a table, with connections and respect, to make memories, share their thoughts and ideas, and revel in time spent together.

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Date Added: 11/21/2023