Thank-You Notes for Teachers
At the end of the school year, what do you and your kids do to show thanks to their teachers?
It’s an important question to ponder after more than a year of pandemic uncertainty, pivots, and perseverance. Our teachers have shown up for our families through thick and thin!
Showing gratitude is a wonderful skill to nurture in our children, and picking out a thoughtful gift for their teachers is a great way to support its growth! Invite conversation with your kids about unique gifts for their teachers.
And then, consider working on these two “THANK YOU TEACHERS!” activities this month.
ACROSTIC POEM USING YOUR TEACHER’S NAME:
on a rough piece of paper, start your first draft of the poem. Print your teacher’s name in capital letters, vertically on the page.
then brainstorm lots of ideas about the teacher. What are his/her characteristics and funny habits? What’s your favourite memory of him/her? What are some important things you learned from your teacher? What is your teacher the best at doing?
each line of the acrostic poem must start with a letter in the vertical name. Using the ideas you brainstormed, match words with the appropriate letter. Younger students may choose one or two adjectives for each letter, while older students may want to write sentences using figurative language and rhythm.
you can work in any order that you like! You don’t have to complete each letter in order.
when you finish your first draft, read it over a few times and try to make it better. Choose interesting vocabulary by using a thesaurus. Listen to your poem as you read aloud to make sure words sound pleasing together.
have an adult check for accurate spelling and grammar.
create a “good copy” with materials such as construction paper, pencil crayons, crayons, markers, tissue paper, and glue.
A HAND-WRITTEN NOTE
Encourage your child to print a note for the teacher on beautiful stationery or craft paper. Before writing, talk about the teacher. Reflect on memories of the year and feelings of gratitude. Show your child how to create a hand-written note, with a greeting, a closing, and a couple of sentences.
Writing thank-you cards is a dying craft, thanks to the smart phone and everything digital. Learning this skill, and using it when appropriate (and spontaneously) will encourage a habit that later on can set your child apart from the masses. By taking the time to put pencil to card, sharing heartfelt thanks, and then following through by delivering it, you’ll leave an impression on the recipient. You’ll make their day, too!
And, if there are classroom assistants, be sure to show your appreciation to those important educators too.
Research reveals that showing gratitude boosts our overall mental health. Build this skill with your kids this June by taking time to show teacher appreciation. In the process, they’ll build their communication skills, too.
Most importantly, they’ll bring a smile to their teachers faces!