Notes of Thanks

Ruby Jewel Smith, a computer applications teacher at Bryan Station High School in Lexington, Kentucky

It's sometimes difficult for high school students to express love and appreciation to the adults in their lives so I developed an assignment to help. Just before Thanksgiving, I instruct my students to write an expression of thanks to a parent, guardian, or other adult caregiver. The expression can be in the form of a letter, poem, card or other form of their preference. The only requirement is that the content has to be in their own words. They are encouraged to use graphics and a variety of fonts to compliment their choice of expression. Finally, a portion of the grade requires students to present the "Note of Thanks" to the adult and have them acknowledge receipt. Some parents write notes to their children in response to the expression. Other students share their parents' responses to the assignment with the class. This assignment can be done for any or even no occasion!

COMMENTS:

1 - 5 out of 5 Comments | Add your comment

Kathleen Thomas | 2010/04/16

As a business and marketing teacher, I read Randy Pausch's passage from "The Last Lecture" about showing thanks and appreciation to my high school seniors when they are close to graduation. I then allow them to make their own or use notecards that I provide, to write a note to any adult in the building. Most of the kids choose a teacher, but some write notes of appreciation to our custodial staff or our cafeteria employees. The teachers LOVE the letters and many staff members have started a similar activity with their own students.

[Explicit] | 2010/04/12

[Explicit]

mytest | 2010/04/12

mytest

Donna Sweet | 2009/11/21

For many years, I have had my eighth grade English classes write a thanksgiving letter to their parent(s)/guardian, a past/current teacher and a friend (optional/ extra credit). I have had them type in the computer labs, my classroom student computers, or hand wrote them. I provided stationary. I just read the letters enough to verify the content was appropriate. I would give full credit for the first two if completed. I collected the teacher letters to place in their mailboxes in the office and/or sent to other district schools' teachers. I encouraged they give their letters personally.

Janet | 2009/11/11

I also do this but I often have the students write a note to a teacher or staff member who has done something nice for them and I put them in their mailboxes before we leave for Thanksgiving. You wouldn't believe how much that means to a teacher!

Add Your Comment

RATE THIS ARTICLE

Average User Rating (0 users)

3 stars

of 5.

Your Rating