Free sample lesson
Session 2, Reverence & Reciprocity: a 50 to 70 minute lesson with teacher notes and a student worksheet.
Elizabeth Zion · Teacher Hub
Gratitude-Based Sustainabilityfor Schools
A hopeful starting point for wellbeing, resilience and caring for the planet
Wellbeing, SPHE & ESDJunior & Senior Cycle40 to 50 minutesSingle session or three-part series
Why this matters
Young people care about the planet. Many also feel overwhelmed by it. Most sustainability lessons start with crisis. GBS starts somewhere else: with gratitude.
A different place to start
The biggest barrier to climate action is not knowledge. It is emotional. Young people care deeply but feel powerless.
A teacher-friendly resource and school sessions supporting wellbeing, emotional resilience and Education for Sustainable Development, created by Elizabeth Zion for Junior and Senior Cycle SPHE.
I believe young people don’t need more reasons to feel overwhelmed. They need a different place to start.
The three pillars
GBS in one minute
01 / 03
Recognising the value of things beyond their usefulness. Seeing the world as gift rather than resource.
Invisible Hands
Students trace an everyday object they use back through the hands that made it, then reflect using the three pillars.
How a session runs
01 / 05
An introduction to eco-anxiety and why it is normal
What’s included
School session with Elizabeth
Three sessions: Finding Your Voice, What You Notice, and Responsibility. Book as a set or on their own.
Student reflection pages
Take-home journal prompts for each session.
Teacher and educator training
Supporting schools to teach sustainability through hope-centred approaches.
Last checked 29 October 2026
SPHE at a glance
GBS is designed for SPHE. Here is the curriculum context in one place, with links to the official documents.
Junior Cycle SPHE
100 hours
Across first, second and third year, a core pillar of the Wellbeing programme.
- Understanding Myself and Others
- Making Healthy Choices
- Relationships and Sexuality
- Emotional Wellbeing
Four strands underpinned by three cross-cutting elements.
NCCA Junior Cycle SPHE Short Course, updated specification published in 2023.
Official specificationHow GBS fits the curriculum
These are natural connections by theme.
[PLACEHOLDER: detailed learning outcome mapping, after checking each outcome against the official specifications.]
Junior Cycle: Emotional Wellbeing
Managing feelings about big issues, including eco-anxiety, and gratitude as a daily practice
Closing reflection
Junior Cycle: Understanding Myself and Others
Values, empathy, seeing the people behind everyday things
Invisible Hands activity
Senior Cycle: Exercising rights, responsibilities and inclusivity
The Responsibility pillar and realistic action
Action planning
Senior Cycle: Thinking critically and empathetically
Tracing the human cost behind everyday products
Invisible Hands and discussion
Implementation dates & source notes
September 2023, the updated Junior Cycle SPHE curriculum was introduced for all first-year students.
2024, the Senior Cycle SPHE specification was published: a mandatory curriculum component supporting 60 hours of teaching and learning over the final two years of senior cycle.
Always refer to the official documents for the full specification.
Explore the framework & BLESS Goals
Gratitude-Based Sustainability
Evidence and credibility
Elizabeth's presentation was riveting and thoroughly enjoyed by all. She's the talk of the town! We look forward to having her back soon.
Elizabeth has been a part of our journey toward becoming a School of Sanctuary. Her visits provided a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about the right to asylum and inspired our community deeply.
Research, publication & pilot details
Published on the UN SDG Academy platform
Gratitude as a Virtue to Enable Education for Sustainable Development · November 2025Endorsed by Dr Patrick Paul Walsh, Vice President of the UN SDG Academy.
ESAI Annual Conference 2026
Selected from over 400 submissions to present at the Educational Studies Association of Ireland Annual Conference, May 2026.
MSc Sustainable Development, University College Dublin, First Class Honours, with the Spire Masters Graduate Scholarship.
Piloted in Loreto College Swords.
Safe and inclusive
Wellbeing
Sessions are not counselling. If a student is struggling, I signpost to the school’s guidance and wellbeing team.
This is agreed with the class teacher before each session.
School ethos
GBS is a faith-centred programme that can be adapted for secular audiences.
Child safeguarding
Garda vetted through Balbriggan Presbyterian Church, September 2026. A written Child Safeguarding Statement is provided to every school before the first session.
FAQ
Who is it for?
Transition Year and Senior Cycle (4th to 6th year). It can be adapted for other year groups.
How long is a session?
50 to 70 minutes. Book the three sessions as a set or on their own.
What do teachers need to prepare?
A classroom with a projector, screen and sound, plus pens and paper. The class teacher stays in the room throughout. Sessions can run in person or online.
Is it linked to the SPHE specifications?
It is designed for SPHE and maps to its themes. It is an independent resource and has not been developed or endorsed by the NCCA or the Department of Education.
Does it suit a school with no faith ethos?
Yes. GBS is a faith-centred programme that can be adapted for secular audiences.
Can my own teachers deliver it?
Yes. The free sample lesson includes full teacher notes and a student worksheet, so your own teachers can run Session 2. Teacher training is available on request.
How do I book?
Use the school session form below.
Bring GBS to your school
Get the sample lesson
Session 2, Reverence & Reciprocity: a 50 to 70 minute lesson with teacher notes and a student worksheet.
Sign up below and the lesson downloads straight away.
Official sources
- Senior Cycle SPHE specification · NCCA, 2024
- Junior Cycle SPHE Short Course specification · NCCA, 2023
- NCCA information note · Senior Cycle SPHE, September 2024
- Oide · Senior Cycle SPHE key documents
- Senior Cycle SPHE · Curriculum Online
- Parliamentary reply · Junior Cycle SPHE strands, January 2024
- Gratitude as a Virtue to Enable Education for Sustainable Development · SDG Academy
- Junior Cycle SPHE: information for parents and guardians · gov.ie
- Senior Cycle SPHE curriculum developments · NCCA
GBS is an independent resource created by Elizabeth Zion. It is designed for SPHE and has not been developed or endorsed by the NCCA or the Department of Education.