I am thankful for the blessings I
receive as a member of the church.
The gospel teaches me how I should live.
by Melanie Day


 

SONG: Children all over the world

How many ways can you say “thanks”? Who says “gracias”? Where do they say “danke”? How about “malo”, “tak,” “merci,” “kansha shimasu”? Children all over the world say “thank you” in their own special way, in their own language. Heavenly Father hears their words and understands each language. He loves to hear children say “thank you” to their parents and other adults, to their friends, and especially to Him.

STORY: Thank You Game from February 1995 Friend (It might capture the children more if you and another counselor (who could pretend to be a child) could act this out best you can from memory.)

What did Alison learn from her mom? 
Is it easy to be grateful when difficult things happen to us?

ACTIVITY: (Print off this cornucopia (from November 1981 Friend)  and label each piece of fruit with one of the following subjects: Scriptures, Friends, World, The Savior, Church, Food, Temple, Family.)

Tell the children that a cornucopia, also called a horn of plenty, is usually filled with fruits, vegetables, and grains. It is a symbol of abundance.  Post your cornucopia.  Choose one child to come up and draw a piece of fruit to put in your cornucopia.  Have them read the topic you've listed on the fruit.  For example, if it reads, "Friends"... have the child give one reason why they are grateful for friends.  You can then turn it over to the whole group if you'd like and say, "Is anyone else grateful for friends and why?"  Continue until all items have been posted on the cornucopia. 

Thank the children for their suggestions and comments.  Let them know that there are now even more reasons we are blessed and that these things help us live the gospel to its fullest.

Review with them the importance of saying thank you by doing the following activity. Have each class create and briefly dramatize a situation where a group receives a service, but only one person gives thanks. For example, at the end of a lesson, only one student thanks the teacher. Upon arriving at the soccer field, only one of the team members thanks the driver. At the end of the party, only one pauses to thank the hostess. At the end of the game, only one thanks the coach. At the end of a meal, only one thanks the cook. Ask the children which scripture story these situations remind them of.

Tell the story of the Ten Lepers (see Luke 17:11–19). Point out that we want to be like the “one” who came back and gave thanks. The Lord wants us to be thankful because it is right and because He knows that we will be happier if we have a grateful heart.

CRAFT: Sad and Happy Leper - This link (Danielle's Place) also has additional ideas and suggestions on that go along well with this sharing time.

SUMMARY: Tell the children there are two ways we show gratitude to our Heavenly Father.  One is by serving and loving others.  The second way is by expressing thanks in our prayers.  We talk to Him and tell Him how much we appreciate what He has given us.  Bear testimony.

Other Optional Activities:

SONG: Have a song title written behind each letter of the word thanks and put them in a sack. Have a child pull a letter from the sack, post the letter, and have everyone sing the song. Repeat until all the letters have been selected.

Blessings Tree

I taught a lesson in my preschool class in which I taught about things in life that Jesus gives us. I took small paper plates (desert size) and took construction paper , I cut large petals out of the construction paper and had each child write on the petals the things they were thankful for. In the center of the plate I wrote the word JESUS gives me....... in the center of the plate and glued the petals around the plate to make a flower, you can also glue a green pipe cleaner to make the flower appear to have a stem. This was a neat project and the kids enjoyed it. Each child's flower was different, because each child had different things in their life that they were thankful for. (Credit: Applesauce Kids)

For Senior Primary Crossword: Puzzle