감사편지 쓰는 즐거움: 감사의 힘 (3학년~5학년)

When most people think of a "Thank You" letter, they think of this in response to receiving a present ~ which is an excellent example. Yet, in this ongoing 30-week class, your learner will find many other forms of “gifts” to be thankful for and therefore, develop a life-long desire to express gratitude through writing.

This class is designed to instill joy in the writing process, while at the same time shift the emphasis from self-centeredness to others and the positive difference they make in our lives. We will be looking for and appreciating the good all around us.

In addition, this class raises awareness, expands knowledge, and develops open-mindedness. We will be creating a habit of taking time to value and connect with others. 

Each week, a recipient in one of these categories is the class topic:

1. A Present/Gift Giver
2. Someone In Our Daily Life
3. Someone In Our Community
4. A Stranger
5. A Leader or Someone Famous

These five categories are on a rotating 5-week cycle. The focus of our gratitude (the recipient of the "Thank You" Note) in these categories changes each week. 

IMPORTANT NOTES: 
The letter should be given to the community member, stranger, and the leader/someone famous under adult supervision. I send reminders of this in the Classroom Announcements on those particular weeks.
Please see the Class Schedule listed below for a better understanding of the intended recipients.

The agenda of each 45-minute class is as follows and includes time for your learner to  
write the letter in class with guidance but independently so that the letter is personalized ~ resulting in the greatest impact for the writer and the recipient:

🔸 Discussion amongst learners about the letter's recipient
🔸 Brain Storming & Note-taking  
🔸 Fun facts about the recipient (in general) to deepen our understanding and 
      appreciation 
🔸 Breaking the letter into 4 – 6 parts with templates designed by Miss Wendy: Organizing 
      thoughts/notes, and communicating "Thank You" clearly, concisely, and genuinely 
🔸 Opportunity to read the letter out loud 
🔸 Quick edit for capitalization and punctuation

In some cases, the letter will need to be mailed. While I will strive to be of some assistance with finding an address for a famous person, the parent will hopefully help their learner locate other addresses for mailing purposes but in many cases, will help the learner to hand deliver their letters.

2025 CLASS SCHEDULE:
(Subject to change.)
 
(Week of 1/6 - 1/12) A Gift Giver: Holiday, birthday, special occasion, or just because

(Week of 1/13 - 1/19) Someone In Our Daily Life: Parent

(Week of 1/20 - 1/26) Someone in the Community: Mail carrier or delivery person

(Week of 1/27 - 2/2) A Stranger: Someone who has complimented you recently

(Week of 2/3 - 2/9) A Leader or Someone Famous: Musician or artist

(Week of 2/10 - 2/16) A Gift Giver:  Holiday, birthday, special occasion, or just because

(Week of 2/17 - 2/23) Someone In Our Daily Life: Sibling or cousin

(Week of 2/24 - 3/2) Someone in the Community: Trashman/trash collector

(Week of 3/3 - 3/9) A Stranger: A speaker (at the library, at school, at place of worship, at an important event)

(Week of 3/10 - 3/16) A Leader or Someone Famous: College, amatuer, or professional athlete or coach

(Week of 3/17 - 3/23) A Gift Giver:  Holiday, birthday, special occasion, or just because

(Week of 3/24 - 3/30) Someone In Our Daily Life: Friend

(Week of 3/31 - 4/6) Someone in the Community: Someone who works in a store

(Week of 4/7 - 4/13) A Stranger: Someone who is homeless

(Week of 4/14 - 4/20) A Leader or Someone Famous: Movie star or TV star

(Week of 4/21 - 4/27) A Gift Giver:  Holiday, birthday, special occasion, or just because

(Week of 4/28 - 5/4) Someone In Our Daily Life:  Teacher (school, place of worship)

(Week of 5/5 - 5/11) Someone in the Community: Someone who works at a restaurant or the chef

(Week of 5/12 - 5/18) A Stranger: Someone who shares a smile with you 

(Week of 5/19 - 5/25) A Leader or Someone Famous: An elected official in your town, state or country

(Week of 5/26 - 6/1) A Gift Giver:  Holiday, birthday, special occasion, or just because

(Week of 6/2 - 6/8) Someone In Our Daily Life: Neighbor

(Week of 6/9 - 6/15) Someone in the Community: Your doctor, veterinarian, or dentist

(Week of 6/16 - 6/22) A Stranger: Someone featured in the news for making a difference 

(Week of 6/23 - 6/29) A Leader or Someone Famous: The leader of a company/business you or your family likes

(Week of 6/30 - 7/6) A Gift Giver:  Holiday, birthday, special occasion, or just because

(Week of 7/7 - 7/13) Someone In Our Daily Life: Coach or instructor

(Week of 7/14 - 7/20) Someone in the Community: Fire fighter or police officer

(Week of 7/21 - 7/27) A Stranger: Someone who shares an act of kindness with you or your parent

(Week of 7/28 - 8/3) A Leader or Someone Famous: Someone from the past that you cannot give the note to but that you are very thankful for