We love seeing how educators are using the First Five in their classrooms, and this week’s shoutout goes to Ms. Beth Henley, a 4th grade teacher at Rolling Hills Elementary in the Fullerton School District, California! 🍁
Beth tagged us on Instagram (@henleyhive), and we were so happy to see how she and her students have brought the First Five to life. In her classroom, the First Five has become a daily routine for connection, reflection, and relationship-building. Recently, she and her students took our Gratitude Pumpkins activity and turned it into a full Pumpkin Patch of Gratitude where each pumpkin represents something or someone they’re thankful for. The result is a beautiful display that celebrates community, kindness, and creativity.
Beth was actually trained by our co-founder John Whalen in Thriving with the First Five and Classroom Circles, and it’s incredible to see that training in action in her classroom today.
This activity was originally created by our amazing content creator and coordinator, Lilly Hartman, whose ideas help bring gratitude, positivity, and reflection into classrooms every day. You can find this same activity by searching “gratitude pumpkin” in the First Five Plus.
First Five Plus is completely free and includes every piece of content we’ve ever created for Junior, Primary, Secondary, and even Spanish editions.
Thank you, Ms. Henley, for sharing your pumpkin patch with us and for showing how gratitude grows when we take time to connect. 🎃💛
– Edtomorrow Team