Masterpiece 1024r

Art
Saying Thanks with Masterpiece

Created by Osmo

Grades

K-6

Environment

Individual station

Materials

Osmo base + Masterpiece app + iPad 2 or higher + Writing instrument(s) Printed thank you note template (optional)

Objective

Students will learn how to reflect on gratitude and express thanks to those who have made their lives a little better. Research shows that grateful students are happier and feel more connected and satisfied with school and that gratitude is something that can be taught.

Bonus

Go one step further by having students draw, decorate, cut out and fold their own envelopes. Templates are in our “Greeting Cards” Gallery in Masterpiece.

To expand this activity with a more extensive lesson on gratitude, check out Jeffrey Froh’s gratitude lessons

Activity

1. Have students write down a few things for which they are most thankful.

Suggest a variety of ideas so that students understand that that this could be a physical gift, an experience or simply time spent together with family and friends. For example, the list could include new books, going the zoo or a home-cooked family dinner.

2. Ask students to pick one of the things on their list to craft a thank you note to express their gratitude.

3. Choose a format that is most appropriate for your students.

Some ideas:

  • Download and print this thank you template. Most of the note is written, but younger children can fill in the blanks and draw a picture above.
    • The fill-in-the-blank sentences in our template were designed to orient students to both notice the intentions of the gifter and to recognize the personal value that the gift adds to their lives. Research suggests that these reflective elements foster gratitude.
  • Use the “Writing” folder in the Masterpiece Gallery to write “Thanks” or “Thank You” in cursive on their card.
  • Choose art from the “Thank You Cards” folder in the Masterpiece Gallery.
  • Take a photo of themselves or their gift, or search for related images online, to use for their card.

4. Split students into individual stations with Osmo, a printed template or blank paper, and writing instruments at each station.

4. Instruct students to open the Masterpiece app to create the art for their card and to write a note to the thank you recipient.

Remind them to resize the art especially if you are using the thank you note template so that the art fits into the frame.