GUEST BLOGGER M. O. YUKSEL
With Thanksgiving around the corner, I wanted to focus on the science behind gratitude, kindness, and giving. Research shows that gratitude is a powerful emotion that boosts well-being, strengthens relationships, and inspires acts of kindness. This connection between gratitude and giving is what inspired me to write SAMI’S SPECIAL GIFT: An Eid al-Adha Story. In the book, Sami learns the meaning of Eid al-Adha when he gifts something dear to him, honoring his late grandfather in the process.
Both Eid al-Adha and Thanksgiving, centered around gratitude and sharing, offer wonderful opportunities to teach students the importance of these values.
Before reading Sami’s Special Gift
- Ask students what they know about Eid al-Adha and Thanksgiving.
- Create a list of similarities and differences between the two holidays.
After reading Sami’s Special Gift
- Discuss what students learned about Eid al-Adha.
- How does it compare to Thanksgiving? Create a new list of similarities and differences.
- Compare this list with the one created earlier.
Use Sami’s Special Gift as a mentor text to engage students in one or more of the following activities that explore the science of gratitude and kindness.
Build a giving machine
Objective
Encourage creativity and introduce basic problem-solving and engineering principles while reinforcing the idea that kindness and generosity can be “built” into our lives.
In Sami’s Special Gift, Sami discovers the happiness that comes from giving a meaningful gift. To bring this idea to life, ask children to create their own “Giving Machine” using simple materials like blocks, LEGOs, or recycled objects.
Materials
- Blocks, LEGOs, or building toys
- Recycled objects (cardboard, paper towel tubes, etc.)
- Glue or tape
Instructions
- Explain the concept of a “Giving Machine” – a machine that gives something valuable, like a smile or a note.
- Let the children design and build their machines, thinking about how their creations can help others. After everyone finishes, ask each child to explain how their machine works and what it gives. For example, a machine might “deliver” thank you notes.
- Discuss how building a Giving Machine relates to real life—just as we can create machines to help others, acts of kindness and giving can be part of our everyday lives.
Gratitude water density experiment
Objective
Gratitude and kindness can profoundly affect how we feel. This fun water density experiment introduces concepts of density and buoyancy and helps children understand that acts of kindness can lift us up, just like water can lift objects.
Materials
- Two clear cups or jars
- Water
- Salt
- Two eggs
- Spoon for stirring
Instructions
- Fill one cup with plain water and another with saltwater (add 3-4 tablespoons of salt to the water).
- Ask students to predict what will happen when an egg is placed in each cup.
- Drop one egg into the plain water and the other into the saltwater. The egg in the plain water will sink, while the one in the saltwater will float.
- Explain that saltwater is like kindness—it helps lift the egg, just as acts of kindness lift us up emotionally. Without kindness, like the egg in plain water, we might feel weighed down.
Kindness counting game
Objective
Teach basic counting and math skills while promoting kindness through a fun, hands-on activity. Gratitude often leads to acts of kindness, which can multiply over time. The Kindness Counting Game uses a visual and tactile approach to show children how small acts of kindness add up to make a big difference.
Materials
- A jar or container
- Marbles, beads, or small tokens
- Paper and pen for recording numbers
Instructions
- Introduce the Kindness Jar. Each time someone does something kind or expresses gratitude, they add a marble to the jar.
- Throughout the week, encourage students to notice and practice acts of kindness, like sharing toys or helping a friend.
- At the end of the week, count the marbles together, practicing counting aloud. Write down the total number.
- Discuss how the small acts of kindness accumulated over time, showing how kindness grows when practiced regularly.
I hope you and your students enjoy these activities! Like Sami, they’ll not only explore the power of gratitude but also discover how acts of kindness can positively impact their lives and the world around them. Thank you for giving these activities a try—I’d love to see photos of your students in action!
Featured image credit: “HAPPY THANKSGIVING …” by ♪¸.•*´♡¨*•.¸Julia Moreau.¸*•*☆ is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.
M.O. Yuksel lived on three continents before settling down in the Garden State with her family. She writes award-winning books for young readers, including picture books, IN MY MOSQUE, ONE WISH, RAMADAN KAREEM, and SAMI’S SPECIAL GIFT. Her forthcoming book, THE PRINCE OF STARS: Ulugh Beg’s Quest to Map the Stars and Seasons, is set to release in May 2025 from HarperCollins. Her books are inspired by her passion for research and learning, and her desire to bring diverse stories to children. Visit her online at: www.moyuksel.com, on Instagram: @moyuksel.author, Twitter (X): @mo_yuksel
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