Assignment Prompt & Instructions
[>Management homework help](https://www.sweetstudy.com/fields/business-finance-management)
– 2 years ago
**files (2)**
– ## 4.1Discussion.Responses.LedbyLove.docx
– ## 4.2Discussion.Responses.CapstoneProjectImplementation.docx
**## 4.1Discussion.Responses.LedbyLove.docx**
**INSTRUCTIONS: Respond to the two following posts for Diamond and Travis.**
[**Led by Love**](https://brightspace.indwes.edu/d2l/le/262083/discussions/threads/5850352/View)
**Diamond**
The segment really brought out a quieter and more reflective side of the journey. Watching Dr. Dave return home and spend time with his family, especially his nieces and nephews reminded me how grounding it is to be around people who truly know and love you. There was something unique about him asking the children those questions at such young ages. It made me think about how often we overlook children’s wisdom because we assume they haven't lived enough to “get it,” when in reality, they see things more clearly sometimes. And when he discussed losing his father, that moment resonated with me. Grief has a way of humbling us. It doesn’t matter how strong or prepared we think we are.
After praying and reflecting on the question, “What would love do today?” I felt this reminder that love leads through softness instead of force. Love would remind me to slow down, to listen without rushing to fix, and to respond instead of react. If I let love lead me more consistently, I’d probably give myself more grace in the areas where I feel behind. Jesus’ life was the blueprint. He never moved with ego, only with compassion. And I think that’s the challenge for me: to let love, not pressure, nor fear be what shapes how I show up in the world.
References
Holy Bible, King James Version. (1769). Thomas Nelson. (Original work published 1611)
The Breadcrumb Studios. (2019).
_Dr. Dave and the Girl Who Couldn’t Laugh: A Breadcrumb Quest for Joy_
[**Led by Love**](https://brightspace.indwes.edu/d2l/le/262083/discussions/threads/5848909/View)
**Travis**
In the documentary, Dr. Dave returns home for Christmas to focus on family and reflects on the purpose of darkness in life. He discusses feelings of failure with Ruth, and she expresses regret for not writing a couple of books and wishes she could turn back her life clock by twenty years. Dr. Dave emphasizes the importance of letting love guide one's life. Inspired by a biblical scripture, he decides to apply its lessons. Dr. Dave revisits an old film project he created with his nieces and nephews, documenting their dreams for the future and following up years later for personal growth. He also shares poignant memories of his final moments with his father, highlighting how love has directed him toward connecting with his family.
I took a moment to meditate, to pray, and to really examine the answers to these questions. “What would love do today? This inspires me to be kind and compassionate with everyone I meet and to remember that even the smallest act of kindness can have an immeasurable impact. Just the idea of letting the course of my life be guided by love constantly sparked an image of increased connection with those around me and a lighter existence free of judgment and grudges. Gradually, reflecting on Jesus’ example of being led by love also showed me that his selflessness and readiness to serve others can motivate me to move in grace and humility, thus urging me to put compassion and empathy first in my everyday life. The thought of spreading love in this way sounds very transformational, as it could lead to a life of fulfillment in which every human wants to be fulfilled in some way.
**## 4.2Discussion.Responses.CapstoneProjectImplementation.docx**
**INSTRUCTIONS**: Respond to the following posts, Ashley and Travis, with insights about their projects, words of encouragement, and suggestions for overcoming obstacles, if necessary.
·
[**4.2 Capstone Project Implementation**](https://brightspace.indwes.edu/d2l/le/262083/discussions/threads/5846730/View)
**Ashley**
I met with my class this week. I had them complete the post survey and reviewed last week’s material, did a rundown of the main points, and then we discussed more about gratitude, growth mindset, and grit. This time I was much more relaxed. I wasn’t fighting with the Smart Board and the clock and trying to stick to my slides. I was more interactive, asking the kids questions and getting them to talk more. I think people learn less from a lecture style and more from engaging in discussion and reflection.
A highlight was that I asked them to write what their favorite part of the lesson was and what they are interested to learn more about. Most of the students responded they liked learning about more ways to calm down when stressed. They also like learning about the stress response, what happens during anxiety, how important sleep is, positive self-talk, and cultivating a growth mindset. I had them do a gratitude exercise at the end where I had them write down some things they are grateful for and what they like about themselves on cardstock shaped like leaves and apples with the thought that I would make a “positive gratitude tree” and give it to the class. We ran out of time so I haven’t collected the leaves and apples yet to see what they wrote.
I compared the pre and post survey results which showed improvement of knowledge. I asked the student five questions before and after the teaching. The questions had to do with sleep, the stress response, calming methods, the effects of gratitude, growth mindset, and negative self-talk. The results were as follows for correct answers:
Pre Post
1) 73% 96% (sleep)
2) 93% 93% (stress)
3) 64% 67% (calming methods)
4) 74% 92% (gratitude)
5) 69% 77% (growth mindset)
There was improvement but not as much as I would have thought. One thing to consider is that some students were absent on the first day but were present on the second day and some students were present on the first day but absent on the second. I did not control for that. I also worded the questions slightly differently on the post survey and that was a mistake I made in hindsight. The students seemed to be acutely aware of the stress response, with almost everyone getting those answers right both times. Overall, the feedback was positive and the students seemed excited to learn and discuss their answers and ideas. I’ve had several kids wave at me in the hallways and come up to me and say I was the one teaching them about growth mindset and stress, which I found heartwarming. Part of the district’s initiatives are that students feel like staff members care about them and that there are people they can go to if they need to talk about personal matters or they have emotions that are hard to handle.
·
[**4.2 Capstone Project Implementation**](https://brightspace.indwes.edu/d2l/le/262083/discussions/threads/5849405/View)
**Travis**
Last weekend, I finished my analysis from my 10-question survey. I mentioned last week that I received 110 responses instead of the 90 I initially anticipated. See the 10 questions below and analysis:
1. How often do you express gratitude to others?
2. Can you describe the situation in which you expressed gratitude verbally?
3. How did the person respond to your expression of gratitude?
4. What were your immediate feelings after expressing gratitude?
5. How did you feel the next day after expressing gratitude?
6. Do you think expressing gratitude has a positive effect on your relationships?
7. Can you provide an example of how expressing gratitude has positively impacted one of your relationships?
8. Please rank the following feelings you experienced after expressing gratitude from most to least intense.
9. What are the main reasons you express gratitude? Select all that apply.
10. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience with expressing gratitude?
For those who are interested in exploring the data further, I have included a link for easy access. I want to share some particularly intriguing findings from the study.
[The Power of Expressing Gratitude – Responses | SurveyMonkey](https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-k05RQ4iC_2F_2Bul91W7BaxsdQ_3D_3D/) (
**after you click on the link, click on the drop-down menu and click page 1 to bring up all of the responses and data)**
First, when participants were asked how often they expressed gratitude, an impressive 66% reported that they did so on a daily basis. This is an encouraging statistic, as it suggests that these individuals have discovered the benefits of regular gratitude expression and how it positively influences their overall well-being.
However, I was surprised to learn that only about 48% of those who received expressions of gratitude responded very positively to it, and an additional 38.94% responded positively. The most unexpected finding was that approximately 3% of recipients had a negative reaction to receiving gratitude. On the following day, after someone had expressed gratitude, around 22% of people felt neutral about the experience, while a significant 76% reported feeling positive.
Overall, the data indicates that a majority of individuals experience feelings of happiness and believe that expressing gratitude enhances their well-being and strengthens their relationships. These insights highlight the importance of gratitude in our lives and its potential to foster positive emotional connections.
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to meet with my ten volunteers, each of whom had already shared letters of gratitude with someone who had profoundly influenced their lives. During our meeting, it became clear that all the volunteers felt a significant sense of relief after articulating their feelings, and they received heartfelt praise and thanks in return from their recipients.
Interestingly, six out of the ten volunteers discovered that the individuals to whom they read their gratitude letters felt a similar appreciation towards them. These volunteers remarked that they could have easily written letters expressing the same sentiments back to their recipients.
The experience proved to be quite emotional for many; several volunteers became visibly moved while reading their letters, and the recipients often shared in that emotional moment. A number of participants noted that if they had known expressing gratitude in such a heartfelt manner would feel so rewarding, they would have done it much earlier in their lives.
When I inquired about the reasons some had held back from expressing their gratitude sooner, the responses were varied: four cited fear as a barrier, two admitted they had never considered it, one referenced pride, and three others mentioned a struggle with finding the right moment or simply falling into procrastination. Overall, the meeting highlighted the powerful impact of expressing gratitude and the common hurdles people face in doing so.
**## 4.2Discussion.Responses.CapstoneProjectImplementation.docx**
**INSTRUCTIONS**: Respond to the following posts, Ashley and Travis, with insights about their projects, words of encouragement, and suggestions for overcoming obstacles, if necessary.
·
[**4.2 Capstone Project Implementation**](https://brightspace.indwes.edu/d2l/le/262083/discussions/threads/5846730/View)
**Ashley**
I met with my class this week. I had them complete the post survey and reviewed last week’s material, did a rundown of the main points, and then we discussed more about gratitude, growth mindset, and grit. This time I was much more relaxed. I wasn’t fighting with the Smart Board and the clock and trying to stick to my slides. I was more interactive, asking the kids questions and getting them to talk more. I think people learn less from a lecture style and more from engaging in discussion and reflection.
A highlight was that I asked them to write what their favorite part of the lesson was and what they are interested to learn more about. Most of the students responded they liked learning about more ways to calm down when stressed. They also like learning about the stress response, what happens during anxiety, how important sleep is, positive self-talk, and cultivating a growth mindset. I had them do a gratitude exercise at the end where I had them write down some things they are grateful for and what they like about themselves on cardstock shaped like leaves and apples with the thought that I would make a “positive gratitude tree” and give it to the class. We ran out of time so I haven’t collected the leaves and apples yet to see what they wrote.
I compared the pre and post survey results which showed improvement of knowledge. I asked the student five questions before and after the teaching. The questions had to do with sleep, the stress response, calming methods, the effects of gratitude, growth mindset, and negative self-talk. The results were as follows for correct answers:
Pre Post
1) 73% 96% (sleep)
2) 93% 93% (stress)
3) 64% 67% (calming methods)
4) 74% 92% (gratitude)
5) 69% 77% (growth mindset)
There was improvement but not as much as I would have thought. One thing to consider is that some students were absent on the first day but were present on the second day and some students were present on the first day but absent on the second. I did not control for that. I also worded the questions slightly differently on the post survey and that was a mistake I made in hindsight. The students seemed to be acutely aware of the stress response, with almost everyone getting those answers right both times. Overall, the feedback was positive and the students seemed excited to learn and discuss their answers and ideas. I’ve had several kids wave at me in the hallways and come up to me and say I was the one teaching them about growth mindset and stress, which I found heartwarming. Part of the district’s initiatives are that students feel like staff members care about them and that there are people they can go to if they need to talk about personal matters or they have emotions that are hard to handle.
·
[**4.2 Capstone Project Implementation**](https://brightspace.indwes.edu/d2l/le/262083/discussions/threads/5849405/View)
**Travis**
Last weekend, I finished my analysis from my 10-question survey. I mentioned last week that I received 110 responses instead of the 90 I initially anticipated. See the 10 questions below and analysis:
1. How often do you express gratitude to others?
2. Can you describe the situation in which you expressed gratitude verbally?
3. How did the person respond to your expression of gratitude?
4. What were your immediate feelings after expressing gratitude?
5. How did you feel the next day after expressing gratitude?
6. Do you think expressing gratitude has a positive effect on your relationships?
7. Can you provide an example of how expressing gratitude has positively impacted one of your relationships?
8. Please rank the following feelings you experienced after expressing gratitude from most to least intense.
9. What are the main reasons you express gratitude? Select all that apply.
10. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience with expressing gratitude?
For those who are interested in exploring the data further, I have included a link for easy access. I want to share some particularly intriguing findings from the study.
[The Power of Expressing Gratitude – Responses | SurveyMonkey](https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-k05RQ4iC_2F_2Bul91W7BaxsdQ_3D_3D/) (
**after you click on the link, click on the drop-down menu and click page 1 to bring up all of the responses and data)**
First, when participants were asked how often they expressed gratitude, an impressive 66% reported that they did so on a daily basis. This is an encouraging statistic, as it suggests that these individuals have discovered the benefits of regular gratitude expression and how it positively influences their overall well-being.
However, I was surprised to learn that only about 48% of those who received expressions of gratitude responded very positively to it, and an additional 38.94% responded positively. The most unexpected finding was that approximately 3% of recipients had a negative reaction to receiving gratitude. On the following day, after someone had expressed gratitude, around 22% of people felt neutral about the experience, while a significant 76% reported feeling positive.
Overall, the data indicates that a majority of individuals experience feelings of happiness and believe that expressing gratitude enhances their well-being and strengthens their relationships. These insights highlight the importance of gratitude in our lives and its potential to foster positive emotional connections.
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to meet with my ten volunteers, each of whom had already shared letters of gratitude with someone who had profoundly influenced their lives. During our meeting, it became clear that all the volunteers felt a significant sense of relief after articulating their feelings, and they received heartfelt praise and thanks in return from their recipients.
Interestingly, six out of the ten volunteers discovered that the individuals to whom they read their gratitude letters felt a similar appreciation towards them. These volunteers remarked that they could have easily written letters expressing the same sentiments back to their recipients.
The experience proved to be quite emotional for many; several volunteers became visibly moved while reading their letters, and the recipients often shared in that emotional moment. A number of participants noted that if they had known expressing gratitude in such a heartfelt manner would feel so rewarding, they would have done it much earlier in their lives.
When I inquired about the reasons some had held back from expressing their gratitude sooner, the responses were varied: four cited fear as a barrier, two admitted they had never considered it, one referenced pride, and three others mentioned a struggle with finding the right moment or simply falling into procrastination. Overall, the meeting highlighted the powerful impact of expressing gratitude and the common hurdles people face in doing so.
**## 4.1Discussion.Responses.LedbyLove.docx**
**INSTRUCTIONS: Respond to the two following posts for Diamond and Travis.**
[**Led by Love**](https://brightspace.indwes.edu/d2l/le/262083/discussions/threads/5850352/View)
**Diamond**
The segment really brought out a quieter and more reflective side of the journey. Watching Dr. Dave return home and spend time with his family, especially his nieces and nephews reminded me how grounding it is to be around people who truly know and love you. There was something unique about him asking the children those questions at such young ages. It made me think about how often we overlook children’s wisdom because we assume they haven't lived enough to “get it,” when in reality, they see things more clearly sometimes. And when he discussed losing his father, that moment resonated with me. Grief has a way of humbling us. It doesn’t matter how strong or prepared we think we are.
After praying and reflecting on the question, “What would love do today?” I felt this reminder that love leads through softness instead of force. Love would remind me to slow down, to listen without rushing to fix, and to respond instead of react. If I let love lead me more consistently, I’d probably give myself more grace in the areas where I feel behind. Jesus’ life was the blueprint. He never moved with ego, only with compassion. And I think that’s the challenge for me: to let love, not pressure, nor fear be what shapes how I show up in the world.
References
Holy Bible, King James Version. (1769). Thomas Nelson. (Original work published 1611)
The Breadcrumb Studios. (2019).
_Dr. Dave and the Girl Who Couldn’t Laugh: A Breadcrumb Quest for Joy_
[**Led by Love**](https://brightspace.indwes.edu/d2l/le/262083/discussions/threads/5848909/View)
**Travis**
In the documentary, Dr. Dave returns home for Christmas to focus on family and reflects on the purpose of darkness in life. He discusses feelings of failure with Ruth, and she expresses regret for not writing a couple of books and wishes she could turn back her life clock by twenty years. Dr. Dave emphasizes the importance of letting love guide one's life. Inspired by a biblical scripture, he decides to apply its lessons. Dr. Dave revisits an old film project he created with his nieces and nephews, documenting their dreams for the future and following up years later for personal growth. He also shares poignant memories of his final moments with his father, highlighting how love has directed him toward connecting with his family.
I took a moment to meditate, to pray, and to really examine the answers to these questions. “What would love do today? This inspires me to be kind and compassionate with everyone I meet and to remember that even the smallest act of kindness can have an immeasurable impact. Just the idea of letting the course of my life be guided by love constantly sparked an image of increased connection with those around me and a lighter existence free of judgment and grudges. Gradually, reflecting on Jesus’ example of being led by love also showed me that his selflessness and readiness to serve others can motivate me to move in grace and humility, thus urging me to put compassion and empathy first in my everyday life. The thought of spreading love in this way sounds very transformational, as it could lead to a life of fulfillment in which every human wants to be fulfilled in some way.
**## 4.2Discussion.Responses.CapstoneProjectImplementation.docx**
**INSTRUCTIONS**: Respond to the following posts, Ashley and Travis, with insights about their projects, words of encouragement, and suggestions for overcoming obstacles, if necessary.
·
[**4.2 Capstone Project Implementation**](https://brightspace.indwes.edu/d2l/le/262083/discussions/threads/5846730/View)
**Ashley**
I met with my class this week. I had them complete the post survey and reviewed last week’s material, did a rundown of the main points, and then we discussed more about gratitude, growth mindset, and grit. This time I was much more relaxed. I wasn’t fighting with the Smart Board and the clock and trying to stick to my slides. I was more interactive, asking the kids questions and getting them to talk more. I think people learn less from a lecture style and more from engaging in discussion and reflection.
A highlight was that I asked them to write what their favorite part of the lesson was and what they are interested to learn more about. Most of the students responded they liked learning about more ways to calm down when stressed. They also like learning about the stress response, what happens during anxiety, how important sleep is, positive self-talk, and cultivating a growth mindset. I had them do a gratitude exercise at the end where I had them write down some things they are grateful for and what they like about themselves on cardstock shaped like leaves and apples with the thought that I would make a “positive gratitude tree” and give it to the class. We ran out of time so I haven’t collected the leaves and apples yet to see what they wrote.
I compared the pre and post survey results which showed improvement of knowledge. I asked the student five questions before and after the teaching. The questions had to do with sleep, the stress response, calming methods, the effects of gratitude, growth mindset, and negative self-talk. The results were as follows for correct answers:
Pre Post
1) 73% 96% (sleep)
2) 93% 93% (stress)
3) 64% 67% (calming methods)
4) 74% 92% (gratitude)
5) 69% 77% (growth mindset)
There was improvement but not as much as I would have thought. One thing to consider is that some students were absent on the first day but were present on the second day and some students were present on the first day but absent on the second. I did not control for that. I also worded the questions slightly differently on the post survey and that was a mistake I made in hindsight. The students seemed to be acutely aware of the stress response, with almost everyone getting those answers right both times. Overall, the feedback was positive and the students seemed excited to learn and discuss their answers and ideas. I’ve had several kids wave at me in the hallways and come up to me and say I was the one teaching them about growth mindset and stress, which I found heartwarming. Part of the district’s initiatives are that students feel like staff members care about them and that there are people they can go to if they need to talk about personal matters or they have emotions that are hard to handle.
·
[**4.2 Capstone Project Implementation**](https://brightspace.indwes.edu/d2l/le/262083/discussions/threads/5849405/View)
**Travis**
Last weekend, I finished my analysis from my 10-question survey. I mentioned last week that I received 110 responses instead of the 90 I initially anticipated. See the 10 questions below and analysis:
1. How often do you express gratitude to others?
2. Can you describe the situation in which you expressed gratitude verbally?
3. How did the person respond to your expression of gratitude?
4. What were your immediate feelings after expressing gratitude?
5. How did you feel the next day after expressing gratitude?
6. Do you think expressing gratitude has a positive effect on your relationships?
7. Can you provide an example of how expressing gratitude has positively impacted one of your relationships?
8. Please rank the following feelings you experienced after expressing gratitude from most to least intense.
9. What are the main reasons you express gratitude? Select all that apply.
10. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience with expressing gratitude?
For those who are interested in exploring the data further, I have included a link for easy access. I want to share some particularly intriguing findings from the study.
[The Power of Expressing Gratitude – Responses | SurveyMonkey](https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-k05RQ4iC_2F_2Bul91W7BaxsdQ_3D_3D/) (
**after you click on the link, click on the drop-down menu and click page 1 to bring up all of the responses and data)**
First, when participants were asked how often they expressed gratitude, an impressive 66% reported that they did so on a daily basis. This is an encouraging statistic, as it suggests that these individuals have discovered the benefits of regular gratitude expression and how it positively influences their overall well-being.
However, I was surprised to learn that only about 48% of those who received expressions of gratitude responded very positively to it, and an additional 38.94% responded positively. The most unexpected finding was that approximately 3% of recipients had a negative reaction to receiving gratitude. On the following day, after someone had expressed gratitude, around 22% of people felt neutral about the experience, while a significant 76% reported feeling positive.
Overall, the data indicates that a majority of individuals experience feelings of happiness and believe that expressing gratitude enhances their well-being and strengthens their relationships. These insights highlight the importance of gratitude in our lives and its potential to foster positive emotional connections.
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to meet with my ten volunteers, each of whom had already shared letters of gratitude with someone who had profoundly influenced their lives. During our meeting, it became clear that all the volunteers felt a significant sense of relief after articulating their feelings, and they received heartfelt praise and thanks in return from their recipients.
Interestingly, six out of the ten volunteers discovered that the individuals to whom they read their gratitude letters felt a similar appreciation towards them. These volunteers remarked that they could have easily written letters expressing the same sentiments back to their recipients.
The experience proved to be quite emotional for many; several volunteers became visibly moved while reading their letters, and the recipients often shared in that emotional moment. A number of participants noted that if they had known expressing gratitude in such a heartfelt manner would feel so rewarding, they would have done it much earlier in their lives.
When I inquired about the reasons some had held back from expressing their gratitude sooner, the responses were varied: four cited fear as a barrier, two admitted they had never considered it, one referenced pride, and three others mentioned a struggle with finding the right moment or simply falling into procrastination. Overall, the meeting highlighted the powerful impact of expressing gratitude and the common hurdles people face in doing so.
**## 4.1Discussion.Responses.LedbyLove.docx**
**INSTRUCTIONS: Respond to the two following posts for Diamond and Travis.**
[**Led by Love**](https://brightspace.indwes.edu/d2l/le/262083/discussions/threads/5850352/View)
**Diamond**
The segment really brought out a quieter and more reflective side of the journey. Watching Dr. Dave return home and spend time with his family, especially his nieces and nephews reminded me how grounding it is to be around people who truly know and love you. There was something unique about him asking the children those questions at such young ages. It made me think about how often we overlook children’s wisdom because we assume they haven't lived enough to “get it,” when in reality, they see things more clearly sometimes. And when he discussed losing his father, that moment resonated with me. Grief has a way of humbling us. It doesn’t matter how strong or prepared we think we are.
After praying and reflecting on the question, “What would love do today?” I felt this reminder that love leads through softness instead of force. Love would remind me to slow down, to listen without rushing to fix, and to respond instead of react. If I let love lead me more consistently, I’d probably give myself more grace in the areas where I feel behind. Jesus’ life was the blueprint. He never moved with ego, only with compassion. And I think that’s the challenge for me: to let love, not pressure, nor fear be what shapes how I show up in the world.
References
Holy Bible, King James Version. (1769). Thomas Nelson. (Original work published 1611)
The Breadcrumb Studios. (2019).
_Dr. Dave and the Girl Who Couldn’t Laugh: A Breadcrumb Quest for Joy_
[**Led by Love**](https://brightspace.indwes.edu/d2l/le/262083/discussions/threads/5848909/View)
**Travis**
In the documentary, Dr. Dave returns home for Christmas to focus on family and reflects on the purpose of darkness in life. He discusses feelings of failure with Ruth, and she expresses regret for not writing a couple of books and wishes she could turn back her life clock by twenty years. Dr. Dave emphasizes the importance of letting love guide one's life. Inspired by a biblical scripture, he decides to apply its lessons. Dr. Dave revisits an old film project he created with his nieces and nephews, documenting their dreams for the future and following up years later for personal growth. He also shares poignant memories of his final moments with his father, highlighting how love has directed him toward connecting with his family.
I took a moment to meditate, to pray, and to really examine the answers to these questions. “What would love do today? This inspires me to be kind and compassionate with everyone I meet and to remember that even the smallest act of kindness can have an immeasurable impact. Just the idea of letting the course of my life be guided by love constantly sparked an image of increased connection with those around me and a lighter existence free of judgment and grudges. Gradually, reflecting on Jesus’ example of being led by love also showed me that his selflessness and readiness to serve others can motivate me to move in grace and humility, thus urging me to put compassion and empathy first in my everyday life. The thought of spreading love in this way sounds very transformational, as it could lead to a life of fulfillment in which every human wants to be fulfilled in some way.
**## 4.2Discussion.Responses.CapstoneProjectImplementation.docx**
**INSTRUCTIONS**: Respond to the following posts, Ashley and Travis, with insights about their projects, words of encouragement, and suggestions for overcoming obstacles, if necessary.
·
[**4.2 Capstone Project Implementation**](https://brightspace.indwes.edu/d2l/le/262083/discussions/threads/5846730/View)
**Ashley**
I met with my class this week. I had them complete the post survey and reviewed last week’s material, did a rundown of the main points, and then we discussed more about gratitude, growth mindset, and grit. This time I was much more relaxed. I wasn’t fighting with the Smart Board and the clock and trying to stick to my slides. I was more interactive, asking the kids questions and getting them to talk more. I think people learn less from a lecture style and more from engaging in discussion and reflection.
A highlight was that I asked them to write what their favorite part of the lesson was and what they are interested to learn more about. Most of the students responded they liked learning about more ways to calm down when stressed. They also like learning about the stress response, what happens during anxiety, how important sleep is, positive self-talk, and cultivating a growth mindset. I had them do a gratitude exercise at the end where I had them write down some things they are grateful for and what they like about themselves on cardstock shaped like leaves and apples with the thought that I would make a “positive gratitude tree” and give it to the class. We ran out of time so I haven’t collected the leaves and apples yet to see what they wrote.
I compared the pre and post survey results which showed improvement of knowledge. I asked the student five questions before and after the teaching. The questions had to do with sleep, the stress response, calming methods, the effects of gratitude, growth mindset, and negative self-talk. The results were as follows for correct answers:
Pre Post
1) 73% 96% (sleep)
2) 93% 93% (stress)
3) 64% 67% (calming methods)
4) 74% 92% (gratitude)
5) 69% 77% (growth mindset)
There was improvement but not as much as I would have thought. One thing to consider is that some students were absent on the first day but were present on the second day and some students were present on the first day but absent on the second. I did not control for that. I also worded the questions slightly differently on the post survey and that was a mistake I made in hindsight. The students seemed to be acutely aware of the stress response, with almost everyone getting those answers right both times. Overall, the feedback was positive and the students seemed excited to learn and discuss their answers and ideas. I’ve had several kids wave at me in the hallways and come up to me and say I was the one teaching them about growth mindset and stress, which I found heartwarming. Part of the district’s initiatives are that students feel like staff members care about them and that there are people they can go to if they need to talk about personal matters or they have emotions that are hard to handle.
·
[**4.2 Capstone Project Implementation**](https://brightspace.indwes.edu/d2l/le/262083/discussions/threads/5849405/View)
**Travis**
Last weekend, I finished my analysis from my 10-question survey. I mentioned last week that I received 110 responses instead of the 90 I initially anticipated. See the 10 questions below and analysis:
1. How often do you express gratitude to others?
2. Can you describe the situation in which you expressed gratitude verbally?
3. How did the person respond to your expression of gratitude?
4. What were your immediate feelings after expressing gratitude?
5. How did you feel the next day after expressing gratitude?
6. Do you think expressing gratitude has a positive effect on your relationships?
7. Can you provide an example of how expressing gratitude has positively impacted one of your relationships?
8. Please rank the following feelings you experienced after expressing gratitude from most to least intense.
9. What are the main reasons you express gratitude? Select all that apply.
10. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience with expressing gratitude?
For those who are interested in exploring the data further, I have included a link for easy access. I want to share some particularly intriguing findings from the study.
[The Power of Expressing Gratitude – Responses | SurveyMonkey](https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-k05RQ4iC_2F_2Bul91W7BaxsdQ_3D_3D/) (
**after you click on the link, click on the drop-down menu and click page 1 to bring up all of the responses and data)**
First, when participants were asked how often they expressed gratitude, an impressive 66% reported that they did so on a daily basis. This is an encouraging statistic, as it suggests that these individuals have discovered the benefits of regular gratitude expression and how it positively influences their overall well-being.
However, I was surprised to learn that only about 48% of those who received expressions of gratitude responded very positively to it, and an additional 38.94% responded positively. The most unexpected finding was that approximately 3% of recipients had a negative reaction to receiving gratitude. On the following day, after someone had expressed gratitude, around 22% of people felt neutral about the experience, while a significant 76% reported feeling positive.
Overall, the data indicates that a majority of individuals experience feelings of happiness and believe that expressing gratitude enhances their well-being and strengthens their relationships. These insights highlight the importance of gratitude in our lives and its potential to foster positive emotional connections.
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to meet with my ten volunteers, each of whom had already shared letters of gratitude with someone who had profoundly influenced their lives. During our meeting, it became clear that all the volunteers felt a significant sense of relief after articulating their feelings, and they received heartfelt praise and thanks in return from their recipients.
Interestingly, six out of the ten volunteers discovered that the individuals to whom they read their gratitude letters felt a similar appreciation towards them. These volunteers remarked that they could have easily written letters expressing the same sentiments back to their recipients.
The experience proved to be quite emotional for many; several volunteers became visibly moved while reading their letters, and the recipients often shared in that emotional moment. A number of participants noted that if they had known expressing gratitude in such a heartfelt manner would feel so rewarding, they would have done it much earlier in their lives.
When I inquired about the reasons some had held back from expressing their gratitude sooner, the responses were varied: four cited fear as a barrier, two admitted they had never considered it, one referenced pride, and three others mentioned a struggle with finding the right moment or simply falling into procrastination. Overall, the meeting highlighted the powerful impact of expressing gratitude and the common hurdles people face in doing so.