The Crown Academy

Week 1 – Gratitude Day 1: The Gratitude Garden Theme Skill: Gratitude — noticing and naming what is good in our lives. Story: The Gratitude Garden There once was a boy named Eli who found a small patch of dirt behind his house. Every day, he walked past it and thought, “Nothing grows here. It’s just useless ground.” One morning, his grandmother handed him a tiny bag of seeds. She whispered, “These are gratitude seeds. Every time you notice something good and say ‘thank you,’ plant a seed here.” Eli began. • When he saw the sun shining, he planted a seed. • When his sister shared her toy, he planted another. • When he tasted a sweet apple, another. At first, the ground looked the same. But after a week, green sprouts appeared. After a month, flowers burst into color. By the end of the summer, Eli’s empty patch was the most beautiful garden in the village. Eli learned: Gratitude makes hidden beauty grow. Activity (10–15 minutes) “Gratitude Planting” Game 1. Give your child 5 small objects (beans, pebbles, pennies). These are today’s “gratitude seeds.” 2. Ask them: “What are 5 things you are thankful for today?” o Each time they say one, have them place a “seed” into a jar or bowl. 3. At the end, say: “See how your gratitude filled the jar? That’s what happens in your heart when you say thank you.” (Optional: decorate the jar over the week and keep adding gratitude “seeds” daily.) Daily Quote / Affirmation “Every thank you is a seed, and my life grows more beautiful every day.” Week 1 – Gratitude Day 2: The Ten Healed, One Returned Theme Skill: Gratitude — remembering to say “thank you.” Story: The Ten Healed, One Returned Long ago, Jesus was walking along the road when ten sick men called out to Him. Their bodies were covered in sores, and no one wanted to be near them. They cried, “Jesus, have mercy on us!” Jesus told them, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they walked away, something amazing happened — their sores disappeared. They were healed! Nine of the men kept running, excited to be free. But one man stopped. He turned back, ran to Jesus, and fell at His feet. With tears in his eyes, he said, “Thank You.” Jesus asked, “Weren’t ten healed? Where are the other nine?” Then He smiled at the man and said, “Your faith has made you well.” The man learned: Gratitude makes blessings complete. Activity (10–15 minutes) “The Thank You Run” Game 1. Have your child set up two points in the room (start and finish line). 2. Tell the story in simple words while they act it out: o First, they “run with the nine” who forgot to say thank you. o Then, they “turn back” like the one man, run back, kneel, and say a big, joyful “THANK YOU!” 3. After acting it out, ask: “Why do you think it mattered that he came back to say thank you?” Daily Quote / Affirmation “I am the one who remembers to say thank you.” Week 1 – Gratitude Day 3: Catching Gratitude Theme Skill: Gratitude — practicing thankfulness in everyday moments. Story: The Boy Who Caught Blessings There was once a boy named Jonah who loved to play with his butterfly net. One day, an old man told him, “You can use your net to catch blessings too.” Jonah was confused. “Blessings? They’re not butterflies.” The man smiled. “Every time something good happens, swing your net and catch it by saying, ‘Thank you!’” So Jonah tried. • When his mom gave him warm bread, he whispered, “Thank you.” • When his friend shared a marble, he smiled and said, “Thank you.” • When he saw the stars at night, he whispered again, “Thank you.” Soon his net was full—not of butterflies, but of joy. Jonah realized: Gratitude is how you catch life’s blessings. Activity (10–15 minutes) “Catch the Thank You” Game 1. Use a ball, beanbag, or soft toy. 2. Stand facing each other. 3. Toss the item back and forth. Each time someone catches it, they say one thing they are thankful for. 4. Keep going until you’ve named 10 blessings. (Variation: Draw a simple net on paper, and each time a child names something, write or draw it inside the net.) Daily Quote / Affirmation “Thank you is how I catch joy.”