Gratitude should be a daily practice, and I believe, for the most part, it is, but the month of November tucked gently between the wildness of Halloween and the frenzy of Christmas gives us an opportunity to find grace and gratitude.
On Monday, I decided to start a monthlong project of gratitude poems with my students. When they walk in and open their notebooks, I ask, “What are you grateful for today? What is making you happy right now?” We have a quick discussion and then write small poems. I’ve printed leaves on colored paper. We write our #gratitude on a leaf, cut it out, and add it to the “Poet-Tree” on the classroom door.
I’m posting my poems on social media with #gratitude. I’m drawn to the small poem form hay(na)ku that Denise Krebs introduced me to. Here are the #haynaku that I’ve posted so far this month.
November 1
Blue
–your eyes
Saying Love Mamere
November 2
View-Master
Dino book–
Children were here!
November 3
Missing
–your smile
Masks hide happiness.
Reflections on the Teche 
I love your poet tree and examples. Today I am grateful for the shared writing of this group, frost on my neighbors roof, and home made bread. Thanks for all your poet tree goodness.
Margaret, I love the idea of a time for gratitude nestled between the “wildness of Halloween and the frenzy of Christmas.” True! Here’s to noticing and being thankful every day in November and beyond.
Today I’m grateful for good sleep, friends arriving from the U.S. tonight, and peanut butter chocolate brownies.
A wonderful idea for students and for all of us, reflecting on things for which we’re grateful, writing about them…everyone needs a gratitude journal and a poet-tree for sheltering those creative expressions. Love the Mamère hay(na)ku and the beautiful, symbolic name Mamère itself. I take special delight in seeing that old View-Master in your verse!
It was funny how Leo found the View-Master. He was not napping. I watched him on the monitor go into drawers and I’d forgotten it was in there. What a magical discovery! I’ve ordered him one for his 3rd birthday. Who knew they still make them!
Your tree on the door is a gift to your students and your school. The expressions of gratitude will spill over and touch many. What a joy to savor the grace and gratitude of November with your writers.
Margaret, your poems ring with gratitude especially for your little grandbabies. Happiness surround you in this series of hay(an)ku.
That poet-tree is a fantastic idea. What a great way to start the day! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
[…] 6th grade, has started a new trend when he writes his gratitude poem. If he makes a mistake, he turns it into a picture. I noticed his little designs and complimented […]