Guided Practice Activity - 9

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MODULE 9   |   Mental Health & Mindfulness for Students 
Guided Practice Activities 
Developing Positive Thinking and Gratitude 
Complete the activities below to apply and deepen your learning from this module. 
Activity 1: Gratitude Journal — 5-Day Challenge 
Type: Daily Writing Activity   ·   Estimated Time: 5 minutes per day for 5 days 
What to do: 
1. Each day for 5 days, write 3 things you are genuinely grateful for. They do not need to be big 
things. 
2. Aim to write something different each day — challenge yourself to find new things. 
3. For each item, write one sentence explaining WHY you are grateful for it. 
4. Day 5: Look back at all 15 items. Circle the 3 that feel most meaningful. 
5. Write a short paragraph (5 –6 sentences) about one person you are grateful for and why. 
6. Optional: Share your gratitude letter with that person. 
Reflection Questions: 
• Did your ability to notice positive things improve over 5 days? 
• How did writing gratitude affect your overall mood each day? 
?  Teacher Tip: Research shows that writing 3 gratitude entries per day for just 2 weeks 
can significantly increase happiness levels. 
 
Activity 2: Reframe the Setback 
Type: Cognitive Activity   ·   Estimated Time: 15 minutes 
What to do: 
7. Think of a recent setback, disappointment, or failure — something that felt bad at the time. 
8. Write it down in one sentence from the negative perspective: 'I failed my test' or 'My friend didn't 
invite me.' 
9. Now apply 3 positive thinking reframes: 
10. GROWTH REFRAME: What can I learn from this? How has it made me stronger? 
11. PERSPECTIVE REFRAME: Will this matter in 5 years? Is this truly the worst thing that could 
happen? 
12. SILVER LINING REFRAME: Is there anything good that came — or could come — from this? 
13. Write 2 –3 sentences for each reframe. 
14. Read all three reframes aloud. Choose the one that shifts your perspective the most. 
15. Share your most powerful reframe with a partner. 
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MODULE 9   |   Mental Health & Mindfulness for Students 
Guided Practice Activities 
Developing Positive Thinking and Gratitude 
Complete the activities below to apply and deepen your learning from this module. 
Activity 1: Gratitude Journal — 5-Day Challenge 
Type: Daily Writing Activity   ·   Estimated Time: 5 minutes per day for 5 days 
What to do: 
1. Each day for 5 days, write 3 things you are genuinely grateful for. They do not need to be big 
things. 
2. Aim to write something different each day — challenge yourself to find new things. 
3. For each item, write one sentence explaining WHY you are grateful for it. 
4. Day 5: Look back at all 15 items. Circle the 3 that feel most meaningful. 
5. Write a short paragraph (5 –6 sentences) about one person you are grateful for and why. 
6. Optional: Share your gratitude letter with that person. 
Reflection Questions: 
• Did your ability to notice positive things improve over 5 days? 
• How did writing gratitude affect your overall mood each day? 
?  Teacher Tip: Research shows that writing 3 gratitude entries per day for just 2 weeks 
can significantly increase happiness levels. 
 
Activity 2: Reframe the Setback 
Type: Cognitive Activity   ·   Estimated Time: 15 minutes 
What to do: 
7. Think of a recent setback, disappointment, or failure — something that felt bad at the time. 
8. Write it down in one sentence from the negative perspective: 'I failed my test' or 'My friend didn't 
invite me.' 
9. Now apply 3 positive thinking reframes: 
10. GROWTH REFRAME: What can I learn from this? How has it made me stronger? 
11. PERSPECTIVE REFRAME: Will this matter in 5 years? Is this truly the worst thing that could 
happen? 
12. SILVER LINING REFRAME: Is there anything good that came — or could come — from this? 
13. Write 2 –3 sentences for each reframe. 
14. Read all three reframes aloud. Choose the one that shifts your perspective the most. 
15. Share your most powerful reframe with a partner. 
Reflection Questions: 
• Does reframing mean ignoring negative feelings? Why or why not? 
• Which reframe type is most useful for you personally? 
?  Teacher Tip: Positive thinking does not mean pretending things are fine — it means 
choosing to find meaning and growth in difficulty. 
Module 9: Developing Positive Thinking and Gratitude  ·  Mental Health & Mindfulness for Students  ·  Guided Practice 
Activities