5 Good Things

by Ange Scarra
(Sydney)

We have all had experiences with a bad day. Children can sometimes take this to heart and define themselves by the things they cannot do or the things they do wrong.

To encourage my students to focus on the good in their life, I have started a 5 Good Things journal. At the end of each day, I would have the children write and/or draw 5 Good Things that happened today.

The experiences could be anything - playing with friends, understanding maths, drawing a great picture, being polite. The children can write about anything that brings them joy or makes them feel proud.

Teachers may need to help children identify these experiences initially, but the children will quickly catch on and love writing about the good stuff.

This task can be modified for all classes K-6.

This journal could be sent home at regular intervals to show the parents just how wonderful their children are. The children can start to see themselves in positive ways and through their achievements.

Eventually even their struggles can be seen in a positive way - as moments of persistence.

Sending the children home each afternoon feeling good about themselves, their achievements and their classroom seems like the perfect way to end a school day.