Explore surroundings and capture moments of joy through sketches, writing, or audio recordings; share findings with peers to foster a sense of community and belonging

Begin the project with a 'Delight Hunt' where students explore their surroundings to identify and document small moments of joy using sketches, photos, or brief notes, discussing how these moments inspire personal growth

Introduce the 'Reflection Garden' mural, where students contribute daily reflections, drawings, or gratitude notes, fostering community and belonging

Read excerpts from Ross Gay's 'The Book of Delights' to inspire students to find and appreciate everyday joys, followed by a group discussion on delight and gratitude

Create a personal reflection journal and write or draw about a delightful moment from yesterday's discovery, guided by prompts from 'The Book of Delights'

Reflect on delightful moments and identify non-academic personal growth goals related to social-emotional learning

Guide students in creating personal reflection journals for daily writing or drawing about experiences and emotions, using prompts inspired by the book

Engage in mindfulness activities and gratitude exercises; record thoughts and feelings in reflection journals

Practice mindfulness through a guided breathing or visualization exercise, encouraging students to focus on the present and recognize delight in the moment

Students write or draw in their reflection journals about a delightful moment from the day, then share with a partner to build communication and empathy skills

Share journal entries with a partner, provide and receive feedback to deepen understanding and refine reflections

Create artwork or written pieces that express a personal growth goal, focusing on clarity of ideas and feelings

Create a piece of art that represents something the student feels grateful for, using various materials and techniques to express emotions and personal experiences

Discuss how art and writing can serve as tools for personal growth, connecting experiences to the essential question

Students add their gratitude art to the 'Reflection Garden,' sharing the stories behind their creations and discussing the diversity of experiences and emotions

Reflect on the week's activities and identify one personal growth goal to work on next week, writing or drawing in journals to reinforce self-awareness

Begin assembling the 'Delight Book' with favorite reflections, drawings, and gratitude entries; focus on organizing and revising content for clarity and impact

Reflect on the week's activities and personal growth, noting any new insights or changes in perspective

Gather in a circle to share one delight or learning from the week, encouraging a sense of community and belonging through positive reinforcement and support

Lead students in a guided mindfulness exercise where they focus on their surroundings and emotions, capturing small moments of delight through sketches or notes

Students create an abstract drawing or painting that represents a recent personal delight or emotion, inspired by Ross Gay's 'The Book of Delights'

Encourage students to write or draw about their mindfulness experience, using prompts inspired by 'The Book of Delights' to guide their reflections

Students write a short reflection about a moment of joy they experienced, focusing on sensory details and emotions

Have students create an artwork or drawing that represents something they are grateful for, discussing the connection between gratitude and personal growth

Students share their reflections in small groups, providing and receiving feedback on the clarity of ideas expressed

Facilitate a group discussion where students share their gratitude artworks and reflections, fostering community and belonging

Students list three things they are grateful for and write a paragraph about how these impact their sense of belonging

Guide students in creating an audio recording of a personal story or poem inspired by their reflections, integrating visual displays to enhance their narratives

Students record their gratitude entries, practicing expressive reading and clarity in audio storytelling

Conduct peer review sessions where students listen to each other's recordings and provide constructive feedback, focusing on clarity and emotional expression

Support students in revising their stories or poems based on peer feedback, emphasizing the importance of audience and purpose

Students brainstorm and write about how interactions within their communities contribute to their identity, inspired by Ross Gay's themes

Create a collage or drawing that visually represents their community interactions and personal growth

Encourage students to add their revised audio stories and visual displays to the Reflection Garden mural, celebrating their growth

Assist students in selecting their favorite reflections, artworks, and gratitude entries to begin compiling their personal 'Delight Books'

Students begin assembling their 'Delight Book' by organizing reflections, drawings, and gratitude entries

Students write a journal entry reflecting on their learning progress and insights gained during the week

Lead a group reflection where students share insights from their week's activities and discuss how art and writing tools have helped them achieve personal growth goals

Take students on a walk around the school or neighborhood to observe surroundings; capture moments of joy and inspiration through sketches or notes

Have students choose one of their previous reflections or gratitude entries to expand into a longer piece, focusing on expression and detail

Use collected observations to create a short poem or story that reflects personal feelings and insights, focusing on clarity and emotional expression

Guide students to create an illustration that complements their expanded writing piece, enhancing their visual storytelling skills

Create a small piece of art (drawing, painting, or collage) that represents something they are grateful for, emphasizing the use of color and texture to convey feelings

Pair students to exchange their written and illustrated work for peer feedback, focusing on clarity and emotional impact

In pairs, share the art pieces and discuss the gratitude they represent, fostering a sense of community and belonging

Encourage students to revise their work based on feedback and update their reflection journals with insights gained from the process

Record a story or poem created earlier, practicing clear and expressive reading; focus on conveying emotions through voice

Teach students how to create audio recordings of their expanded stories, emphasizing clear articulation and expressive delivery

Share audio recordings with a partner for constructive feedback, focusing on clarity and emotional impact

Assist students in combining their audio recordings with their illustrations, creating multimedia presentations

Write a short reflection on how personal experiences and community interactions have influenced identity and sense of belonging

Facilitate a session for students to share their multimedia presentations with the class, providing and receiving constructive feedback

Design a storyboard that visually represents key moments of personal growth and community interactions, using drawings or digital tools

Invite students to contribute their multimedia presentations to the Reflection Garden mural, celebrating their growth

Continue assembling the 'Delight Book' by organizing all reflections, art, and audio recordings into a cohesive narrative

Engage students in planning a class celebration to showcase their 'Delight Books' and Reflection Garden contributions, encouraging teamwork

Guide students in a final reflection journal entry, summarizing their learning journey and personal growth throughout the project

Reflect on the week's experiences and personal growth, noting any new insights or changes in perspective

Write or draw a reflection on personal growth achieved throughout the project, using prompts inspired by 'The Book of Delights'

Guide students in finalizing their 'Delight Books,' ensuring all reflections, artwork, and gratitude entries are included

Encourage students to add a final personal reflection or insight gained from the project to their 'Delight Books'

Share final reflections with peers and provide constructive feedback to enhance understanding and clarity

Complete assembling the 'Delight Book' by revising entries, drawings, and gratitude lists for clarity and impact

Assist students in incorporating any final audio recordings into their 'Delight Books,' completing multimedia components

Plan how to present the 'Delight Book' during the showcase, focusing on storytelling techniques and personal insights

Plan how to display the completed 'Delight Books' and contributions to the Reflection Garden for the upcoming showcase

Practice presenting the 'Delight Book' to peers, ensuring effective communication of ideas and emotions

Conduct a rehearsal for the 'Delight Showcase,' where students practice presenting their 'Delight Books' and sharing personal growth stories

Provide constructive feedback and help students make final adjustments to their presentations and displays

Create visual displays or audio recordings to accompany the 'Delight Book' presentation, enhancing audience engagement

Engage in a group discussion about insights gained from the project and how it relates to belonging and community

Set up the classroom mural to display students' work as part of the 'Reflection Garden,' fostering a sense of community

Facilitate a session where students share their final reflections with peers, discussing the impact of mindfulness and gratitude

Reflect on initial personal growth goals and evaluate progress, considering future steps for continued growth

Present the 'Delight Book' and accompanying displays to the class and invited guests, sharing personal growth journey

Host the 'Delight Showcase,' where students present their 'Delight Books' and Reflection Garden contributions to peers, teachers, and family members

Lead a final reflection session and celebrate the completion of the project, acknowledging personal growth and community contributions

Participate in a circle to discuss the project experience, sharing personal insights and what has been learned