The word is out: Journaling is good for your mental health! One of its greatest benefits is reducing stress by encouraging mindfulness and gratitude. (See more benefits of journaling here.) Use these gratitude journal prompts with your students to invite them to appreciate everything they have, the people they love, and the wonders of the world around them.
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Gratitude Journal Prompts About School
Who is your favorite teacher, and what do you like about their class?
This could be a current teacher or one you’ve known in the past. You can think outside of traditional subjects too; maybe your favorite teacher is your choir conductor or soccer coach. Reflect on how they make you feel, both as a student and a person.
What’s one thing about school you like better than being at home, and why?
Maybe you appreciate being able to see your friends all day long or having access to a big library of books. Or perhaps the school day is a time when everything is organized and predictable, and you prefer that. There are advantages to everything if you take time to think about it!
What’s something new you’ve learned recently that you found really interesting?
What subject has been fascinating to explore? Did you learn a fact that really astonished you? Or maybe something that made you look at the world in a whole new way? Explain what makes the new information so interesting and why it matters to you.
Tell about a time when a teacher really helped you and how that made you feel.
This could also be someone who works at your school, like a coach, principal, custodian, or other staff member. They might have helped you learn something difficult or listened to you when you needed an ear during a tough time.
What project or assignment really made you feel proud of your accomplishments?
Perhaps this is something you worked very hard on, and your hard work paid off with a terrific grade. Or it could be something that you found really difficult to learn or do, but you persevered, even if your grade in the end was only average. Remember, the effort can be as important as the final result!
What’s your favorite subject, and why do you enjoy it?
Do you love to read and write, making language arts your top pick? Are you a real numbers person, a math class star? Maybe you’re at your best when you’re showing off your skills in P.E. or music class. Reflect on the school subject you truly enjoy and what makes it so interesting.
Describe something you learned in school that you find useful in everyday life.
Though not all learning feels practical, a lot of it really does have daily applications. It could be something as basic as reading or arithmetic. Or perhaps it’s a new way of thinking about the world that gives you an open-minded perspective. School really does have lots of benefits!
What’s your favorite thing to do during recess? Who do you like to spend the time with?
Do you head straight to the swings or jungle gym? Or do you team up with friends for a game of basketball or kickball? Maybe you’d rather use your imagination for a game of make-believe. What makes recess fun for you?
Who do you most look forward to seeing at school each day, and why?
Is it the smiling face of your favorite teacher or the friend you love to play with at recess? Maybe the custodian always has a funny joke, or your bus driver plays great music on the way to school. Who helps make your school days a little brighter?
Where is your favorite place to be in school, and what makes it special to you?
Do you love your classroom’s cozy reading nook? Would you rather be in the art room, painting, sculpting, or drawing? Maybe you love to hide inside the playground playhouse during recess for some quiet time. What’s the one place in your school you prefer to anyplace else?
Friends and Family Gratitude Journal Prompts
Who is your best friend, and what makes them special to you?
Friends are such a special part of life, and they’re something to be truly thankful for. Think about what makes this person such a good friend to you, and how you’re a good friend to them in return.
What is your favorite thing about your family?
Maybe you love your noisy but fun mealtimes together or the walks you take after dinner each night. Perhaps your family is always supportive when you have a bad day, or they give you the freedom to do things you enjoy. How does your family make you happy?
Who do you know that can always make you smile? How do they do it?
Even on the worst days, there’s usually someone who can make us feel a little bit better. It could be a friend, a beloved aunt or uncle, or your favorite teacher. Or it might even be someone whose name you don’t know, like a person who rides around town in a bright-pink convertible covered in Barbie stickers. Who brings a little cheer to your life?
What is your favorite family tradition or holiday?
What traditions do you have that no one else does? Do you have chili dogs and hot fudge sundaes every last Thursday of the month, just because? Do you each write a special poem for someone’s birthday? Think about how your family celebrates birthdays or holidays and what makes it different from what other people do.
Who is someone that helped you recently, and how did they help you?
It could be something small—someone who helped you carry something heavy up the stairs. Or it might be bigger, like a person who listened to your problems on a bad day and then took you to get ice cream. Helping others is incredibly important, and we should always take time to be grateful for their efforts.
Who is someone you look up to, and what do you admire about them?
Do you love your basketball coach because they help every player on the team get better at the game? Are you always impressed by how hard your big sister works to get good grades? Who would you want to be more like if you could?
What is your happiest family memory?
Think about the things your family has done together, whether they’re big like a trip to Disney World or small like making a meal together using your grandma’s secret recipe. Looking back on happy times reminds us of all the good experiences we’ve had in our lives.
Who is someone you’re thankful for, and why?
Who helps take care of you or makes you feel safe? What person in your life teaches you, supports you, or knows how to make you laugh? There are so many people in our lives to be thankful for, so take time to reflect on them and even say thank you in person.
Describe a time when you and your friends couldn’t stop laughing.
It’s so fun to get endless fits of the giggles! What made you all laugh, and would others find it funny if you tried to explain it?
Who do you turn to when things are tough, and how do they help you?
Who’s the first person you think of when you need a shoulder to cry on or advice about a problem? Some people are great when you want to have a good time, but it takes special people to support you on the most difficult days.
Personal Gratitude Journal Prompts
What was the best part of your day today?
Was your lunch especially delicious? Did you get a great grade on a project? Were your friends especially funny? Think about what made your day a little better.
What is something simple that always makes you happy?
Raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens? It’s the little things that make up a lot of life, so be sure to stop and appreciate them along the way!
Where do you go when you want to feel happiest?
Whether it’s digging your toes into the sand at the beach, climbing to the top of your favorite tree, or snuggling into the cushions in your aunt’s living room to watch movies with your cousins, everyone has a place that makes them feel good every time.
What is something nice someone said to you recently, and how did it make you feel?
Perhaps it was a compliment or a sincere thank-you for a favor you did. Maybe someone liked the outfit you put together or the way you led your kickball team to victory. Enjoy the pleasant words others share. After all, they said them to make you feel good inside!
What is your favorite thing to do after school, and why do you like it?
Do you skateboard in the park or play your favorite video game for an hour? Perhaps you love lacrosse practice or playing the piano for awhile. What do you do to unwind and relax after a busy school day?
Describe a personal skill or talent you have that makes you feel proud.
Are you the fastest runner in your grade or a diving champ at summer camp? Do you sing or play an instrument well or have a way with words? Maybe you’re good at making people laugh or knowing what to say when someone’s having a down day. Every skill and talent is worth recognizing and celebrating.
What toy or game do you like the best, and what makes it so great?
Maybe your favorite game is one you love to play with your closest friends or on family game night. Or it could be a video game that really draws you into the world it creates. Perhaps you have a special stuffed animal that goes to bed with you each night, or a huge box of LEGO that always sparks your creativity. What do you play with the most?
What’s a piece of advice someone gave you that you’re grateful for?
“Never go to bed angry.” “When you’re in the wrong, apologize.” “Use your words when you have a problem with someone.” Everyone has something to learn from others, so think about the advice that’s really helped you in your life so far.
Write about something fun you did recently. Who was there? What made it fun?
The wonderful thing about doing something fun is that it also creates memories we can relive again and again! Write about your recent fun event in detail so you can return to it again in the future.
What’s your favorite animal, and why?
Do you love to snuggle with kittens or puppies? Is riding a horse one of your favorite activities? Do you always head straight to the elephants at the zoo? What makes this animal so special?
What do you like to do when you’re outside, and why?
It could be kicking around a soccer ball with your sister or watching birds with your dad. Maybe you like to read in a hammock or ride your bike around the block. What do you love to do when you head out your front door?
Describe your favorite meal and why you enjoy it.
Are you a fan of pizza followed by ice cream? Perhaps you like crispy tofu with edamame and apple pie for dessert. Or maybe it’s your grandpa’s famous samosas and mango lassi. Describe the dishes in detail, and explain why you love them so much.
What is your favorite book, and why?
Think about the books that helped you escape into a magical new world or carried you away on a stirring adventure. What was the last book you read that you couldn’t put down? Why were the characters so intriguing? Will you read it again someday?
What movie or show could you watch again and again? Why do you love it?
Is it back-to-back Bluey episodes to make you laugh? Encanto on repeat? Nature documentaries that fill you with awe? What do you tune in to when it’s time for screen time?
Name a song that you love to listen to or sing. What makes it special to you?
Turn it up! Does your favorite song make you sing and dance along, or is it a slow song that makes you think or even cry a little? Do you know all the words, or is it the sound of the instruments that carries you away? Music is special to many people, so take time to reflect on the songs you love.
Describe a place you love to visit and what makes it special.
You might treasure your weekend visits to see your grandparents or the house where your family vacations at the lake. Maybe it’s a place you’ve only been to once, but you know you want to go back there someday. Use your words to bring this place to life, and you can “visit” anytime you like.
What is something beautiful you’ve seen recently, and how did it make you feel?
A glorious sunset? A field of wildflowers? Towering mountains? Your baby brother’s face for the first time? A big stack of library books waiting to be read? Think about what’s beautiful to you and why.
What is something you’re looking forward to, and why?
Are you counting down the days to a special vacation or just waiting for Tuesday and your family’s weekly taco night? Having something to look forward to makes life a little more exciting, so if you can’t think of anything you’re eagerly awaiting right now, it might be time to make some new plans!
Tell about a challenge you’ve overcome and how you feel when you look back on it.
Challenges make life harder at the time, but we’re often grateful for them after they’re over. After all, difficult times frequently help us grow and change in important ways. What “mountain” have you climbed, and how did you conquer it? How do you feel about yourself now that it’s all over?
Describe an act of kindness you saw recently.
There can never be enough kindness in the world, and it really is everywhere you look. Reflect on the last time you saw people be kind to one another. Having trouble thinking of something? Make a list of ways you can be kind to others, then go out and spread the love!
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