Gratitude SEL Starters | 17 Daily Prompts, Bell Ringers & Reflection Activities

Gratitude is one of the most powerful tools for boosting student wellbeing and classroom culture. These 17 Gratitude SEL starters make it simple to weave gratitude into your routine through bell ringers, morning meetings, tutor time, advisory, or homeroom starters. Each quick prompt helps students pause, notice, and appreciate the people and moments that matter.

What’s included with these Gratitude bell-ringer slips:

• 17 printable Gratitude SEL slips (ready to print & use)
• Prompts designed for Grades 5–12 (engaging and age-appropriate)
• Activities that encourage mindfulness, positivity, and connection
• Easy to slot into routines with zero prep

Why you'll love these Gratitude starters:

• Quick but powerful: 5 minutes or less
• Opens up authentic opportunities for skill building, discussions, and teachable moments that make SEL feel natural, not forced.
• Tween and teen-friendly prompts that are fresh, real, and engaging, no babyish ‘same same’ tasks.
• Zero prep: just print and go
• Flexible use: bell ringers, tutor time, homeroom, or exit tickets
• Behaviour bonus: starter activities build calm, consistent routines and reduces low-level disruptions
• Student buy-in: fresh, relatable prompts, not the same tired SEL questions

Why your students will love these quick Gratitude activities:

• Prompts feel personal and real-world, not repetitive
• Gives them a chance to notice the positives in their lives
• Helps build empathy, connection, and resilience
• Quick and engaging - no heavy lessons required
  

These Gratitude SEL starters help students practise appreciation, boost wellbeing, and strengthen classroom culture, all in just a few minutes a day.

Want 100+ daily SEL prompts?

Grab the full SEL Starters Bundle to get Growth Mindset, Gratitude, Emotional Literacy, Mindfulness, and Cup Fillers all together, over 100 quick, ready-to-use slips to make SEL simple and consistent all year long.

Looking for a year-long SEL routine instead of one-off starters?

Check out Strong Inside: A Full Year Daily SEL Journal for Middle & High School - 40 weeks of engaging, student-facing activities perfect for bell ringers, morning meetings, tutor time, or homeroom.