Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
STEM
Reading
Writing

Gratitude Greeting: E-Postcard Coding Project

Engage students in a coding activity to create a "thank you" e-postcard for someone they are grateful for.

Activity Partner
Total time estimate:
30-60 minutes
Activity Objectives
  • Students will identify someone they are thankful for and share why they are grateful for them
  • Then, using a self-guided coding tutorial, students will create an e-postcard to say "thank you" to their chosen person

This activity supports the development of the following social-emotional skill: social awareness.

Code

Ask students to identify someone who they are grateful for. You might ask: 

  • Can you think of a person who you appreciate, like a friend, caregiver, or community member? Why are you thankful for them? 
  • How have they made a positive difference in your life?
  • Have you expressed your appreciation for them before? What would you tell them? How do you think hearing your words might make them feel?
  • What did you learn from this person? Do you feel inspired to show compassion to others because of the way this experience made you feel?

Using the Code.org tutorial below, guide students in creating an e-postcard to say "thank you" to the person they identified. Then, encourage students to send their "gratitude greeting"!

Share

Facilitate a live virtual exchange to invite students to share their "gratitude greetings" with your Empatico partner class. Encourage students to share what gratitude means to them, why they appreciate their chosen recipient, and other ways they practice gratitude in their daily life.

Alternatively, you might challenge them to code their e-postcards together over a live virtual exchange, and participate in a joint coding session!

Reflect

Guide students through a post-activity reflection by asking the following questions: 

  • Who did you express gratitude toward through your e-postcard? Why?
  • How does showing our appreciation for each other help strengthen our relationships? What are other things we can do to express gratitude? 
  • What did you learn about your classmates from the e-postcards that they created? How can this knowledge help you be a better friend to them?

This activity was created in partnership with Code.org.

Did you finish this activity? We'd love your input.