A character teaching activity to reinforce gratitude

1. Effie Kyrikakis - Winners Education
THE MAGIC BOX
(OF GRATITUDE)
References
Emmons and McCullough- Counting Blessings Versus Burdens
Dr Daniel Seligman –The Three Blessings
Julia K. Boehm and Sonja Lyubomirsky– The Promise of Sustainable Happiness
Dr Daniel Kahneman – The Riddle of experience versus Memory
Kipp.org – Character Strengths and Corresponding Behaviours

2. 1 BOX
Effie Kyrikakis - Winners Education

3. 10 students
Effie Kyrikakis - Winners Education

4. 100 Blessings
Effie Kyrikakis - Winners Education

5. Overview
The activity is based
on the belief that
every school should
be a
Positive Institution
The Magic Box is
introduced to
students at the
beginning of the
academic year
Character teaching is
part of Dual Purpose
lessons, along with
ESL (English Second
Language)
It is a school-wide,
year-long activity
Learners introduced
to it at their first year
cultivate a climate of
gratitude that passes
on to new students
joining the school
Effie Kyrikakis - Winners Education

6. Adaptations based on the course
Specific behaviours and benefits
of gratitude are discussed in
class to “close the knot” and
create repeatable strategies
The “why” for each grateful
moment
is asked
The activity is placed at the end
of the lesson to create
a positive memory of the lesson
A monthly letter of gratitude has
been added
Effie Kyrikakis - Winners Education

7. Procedure
• Facilitator introduces the idea of gratitude with a video of a school in an
under-privileged area
• Reasons why people can be grateful for are discussed and written in pairs
• Description of gratitude behaviours are written on board
• Notice when other people help
• Show appreciation for the good things & opportunities in life
• Express appreciation by saying "thank you"
• Do something nice for someone else as a way of saying "thank you”
• Facilitator asks learners what they think are the benefits of showing gratitude
Effie Kyrikakis - Winners Education

8. Procedure
• Learners are instructed to write one thing they are grateful for
that day/week and explain why in a small piece of paper
• Facilitator creates the first paper as an example
• Everyone shares with the class
• Feedback is given by the facilitator, bearing the triangle of
micro-moments in mind
NOTE: It is in the discretion of the facilitators whether they want to ask the papers signed off.
Effie Kyrikakis - Winners Education

9. RULES
Participants
Facilitator
Everyone must share in
the magic box at least
once a week
Encourage students to
vary in their responses
and explain the reason
for their gratitude.
Remember to say “why”
you are grateful
Keep the “triangle” in
mind when giving
feedback
Effie Kyrikakis - Winners Education
Other larners
Show respect while
listening, respond by
thanking your
classmates for sharing
(quiet clapping or
thumbs-up are a good
choice as well)

10. Creating Repeatable Strategies
Monthly
Yearly
Once a month, thank
someone you are
grateful to. You can do
that in person, through a
letter, an email, a note
a card or any other way
you wish. If you want to,
share in groups the first
Monday of the month
At the last lesson of the
year, hold a
“ceremonial opening” of
the box and remember
all the blessings we had
during the year.
Effie Kyrikakis - Winners Education

11. Benefits
Learners
• recognise the positive side of life more easily
• are much more helpful and empathetic to others
• are more optimistic and joyful
• develop repetitive strategies towards showing gratitude
School
• the positive culture of the school is reinforced with
learners thanking both each other and teachers around
the school
Family
• families are also positively affected
Effie Kyrikakis - Winners Education