When it comes to creating a culture of kindness inside and outside your classroom, gratitude is a key ingredient — and during the month of November, there’s no better time to help students reflect upon what they can be grateful for in their lives.

Plus, check out these read-alouds that teach about gratitude. 

As you and your students count down the days to winter break, these writing prompts and book pairings will not only help your students reflect on the spirit of the season but will also show them just how much there is to be thankful for in their classroom and community.  

Perfect Book and Gratitude Writing Prompt Pairings

1. Describe your favorite season. What makes it so special? 

Then read: Greeting Seasons: Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn and Greeting Seasons: Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter.

2. What’s your favorite holiday? Why? 

Then read: Kindergarten Kids: Hooray for the Holidays, Binny's Diwali, K Is for Kwanzaa, Peppa Pig: Happy Hanukkah!, and Clifford the Big Red Dog: Clifford's Christmas.

3. Describe one of your greatest accomplishments. How did it make you feel? 

Then read: The Way I Feel and My BIG Feelings.

4. What is one goal you have for the school year? What can you do now to achieve it? 

Then read: Dream Big and Nothing Stopped Sophie.

5. Describe your dream job. 

Then read: I Can Be Anything! and All About School: When We Grow Up.

6. What does gratitude mean to you? 

Then read: If You're Thankful and You Know It and Thankfulness: A Gratitude Attitude!

7. Describe three different ways you can show gratitude without saying “thank you.” 

Then read: Thank You, Mr. Panda, Acorn - Bumble and Bee: Let's Bee Thankful and Try a Little Kindness.

8. How does it make you feel when someone thanks you? Describe a time when someone thanked you for helping them.

Then read: Curious Readers - Positive Power Stories: I Am Thankful.

9. Estimate how many times you express gratitude each day. Do you think the amount is just right or could you give thanks even more? Why or why not? 

Then read: Peppa Pig: Peppa Gives Thanks and Stinky Face: Thank You, Stinky Face.

10. What is your favorite thing to do at school? Why? 

Then read: All About School: School Time! and If You Give a Mouse: Time for School, Mouse!

11. What is your favorite thing to do at home? Why? 

Then read: In My Home and My Little Busy Day: My Day With You.

12. Describe the most beautiful thing you’ve seen this week. 

Then read: Last Stop on Market Street.

13. What is your favorite weekend activity? Why? 

Then read: Henry and Mudge and the Long Weekend.

14. Describe something special about your family that you’re grateful for.

Then read: The Family Book and Families, Families, Families!

15. Describe something special about a friend that you’re grateful for. 

Then read: Remarkable Me: You Be You and I Am a Good Friend!

16. Choose three people to write thank you notes to today. 

Then read: Pearl and Squirrel Give Thanks and The Day it Rained Hearts.

17. Write a thank you note to yourself.

Then read: Mindful Me, Happy Me: The Caring Me I Want to Be and The Things I Love About Me.

18. Describe a time when you did something to help a classmate. 

Then read: What Does It Mean to be Kind? and Kindness and Generosity: It Starts With Me!

19. Describe a time when you did something to help a family member. 

Then read: Our Table and Clifford the Big Red Dog: Clifford's Family.

20. What are you most looking forward to today? Why? 

Then read: This is the Day! and Dixie and the Best Day Ever.

21. Describe a time when you learned something new. 

Then read: Five Colorful Crayons and Creatrilogy: The Dot.

22. Describe something good that happened to you today. 

Then read: The Feel Good Book and Feeling Thankful.

23. What are three things you love most about yourself? 

Then read: I Like Myself! and I Love All of Me.

24. Describe an event from your past that made you smile. 

Then read: Happy in Our Skin andWonky Donkey's Big Surprise.

25. Write a thank you poem to someone special in your life. 

Then read: You Are a Gift to Me! and Thank You, Mr. Falker.

By writing about gratitude every day during the month of November, your students will realize just how much they have to be thankful for in their lives. Daily writing is a great habit for them to get into, and by encouraging your students to take a few minutes each day to jot down their thoughts on gratitude, you’ll sustain and strengthen the culture of kindness within your classroom. 

Shop books about gratitude below! You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store.