The leader knows how a sponsor funds the manual, the activity books, and the flashcards, and how to ask. This Monday–Friday plan is for 2nd grade children in a homeschool co-op group.

The leader knows how a sponsor funds the manual, the activity books, and the flashcards, and how to ask. In this co-op class, 2nd grade children (about 7 and 8) practice with “The paint cups set out.” Ms. Nguyen, the art teacher, she set out paint cups and left a brush at each place. The Monday–Friday calendar is the one that fits: This is the Monday–Friday format from the first half of the Operation Thank You Manual. You see the same children on five school days. Each day is one mission of 5 to 10 minutes. The note is the work of the later days, not of Monday.
The co-op teacher leads. You will not see these children tomorrow. Everything that matters has to happen in the meeting, with one small home mission written in the book. Children answer in a flashcard on the rug or the board, then quiet writing. The spoken line is “Thank you for setting up the paint..” The note line is “Thank you for putting a brush at my place..” Alison Gilham’s program supplies the manual, the activity book, and the flashcards; this page is the plan for this group and this kindness.
This is a script the co-op teacher can say with 2nd grade children during sponsoring this group. It uses “The paint cups set out,” a practice situation for this plan. It is not a list of the 30 printed flashcards. Those cards stay in the set and match the activity book. Use this script when you need the words in the room.
co-op teacher: “We are going to thank Ms. Nguyen. Ms. Nguyen is the art teacher. Here is the kindness: she set out paint cups and left a brush at each place. It happened at the art table. Look at a cup of paint and a brush.”
Ask them to read the note aloud to a partner before it is finished. The partner’s only job is to point out whether the person and the kindness are both clear. For this kindness the sentence is “Thank you for putting a brush at my place.” It has to mention the art table or a cup of paint and a brush, not a general compliment to the art teacher.
Second graders can handle a fuller thank-you note. They still need the flashcards, because a picture keeps the talk on one kindness instead of a lecture about manners. The same situations appear in the activity book, so the class can discuss and then write with more independence. For this homeschool co-op plan, keep the mission inside 5 to 10 minutes. a flashcard on the rug or the board, then quiet writing.
On Monday, 2nd grade children (about 7 and 8) stay with “The paint cups set out.” Look only. Put a cup of paint and a brush where 2nd grade children can see it. Name Ms. Nguyen, the art teacher, and say the kindness: she set out paint cups and left a brush at each place. It happened at the art table. Ask “What was already done before you sat down?” Stop at 5 to 10 minutes. No note yet. You will not see these children tomorrow. Everything that matters has to happen in the meeting, with one small home mission written in the book. If they freeze, Place one brush and one empty spot. Ask which seat shows the kindness.
Spoken line to practice: “Thank you for setting up the paint.” Reply children may hear: “The brushes are ready. Use them with care.” Note line to write: “Thank you for putting a brush at my place.” Spanish line for the same kindness: “Gracias por preparar la pintura.”
Place one brush and one empty spot. Ask which seat shows the kindness. A child who keeps thanking the co-op teacher is avoiding Ms. Nguyen. Send them back to the art teacher and the moment at the art table. Whispering “Thank you for setting up the paint.” counts.
A co-op class may meet once a week with children from several families. That is the once-per-week half of the manual. Each child still needs an activity book. Families can mix English and Spanish copies when the co-op is bilingual. You will not see these children tomorrow. Everything that matters has to happen in the meeting, with one small home mission written in the book.
A co-op class may meet once a week with children from several families. That is the once-per-week half of the manual. Each child still needs an activity book. Families can mix English and Spanish copies when the co-op is bilingual.
Thank the person who sets out supplies for a job at home, such as ingredients or clean clothes. Write that in the activity book so the family sees Ms. Nguyen's kindness, not a blank “say thank you.” Ask them to read the note aloud to a partner before it is finished. The partner’s only job is to point out whether the person and the kindness are both clear.
The Operation Thank You Manual is 98 pages. The first half is the Monday–Friday classroom sequence. The second half is the once-per-week sequence for clubs. Each child needs Why and How To Say “Thank You,” the classroom edition: a saddle-stitched activity book with situations for saying thank you, the How To Write A Thank You Note template, and extra pages to practice. The flashcard set has 30 cards, 8.5 by 11 inches, colorful, with rounded corners. The cards mirror the activity book so the group can look at one situation before writing. The manual, the activity book, and the flashcards are available in Spanish. The MISSION Reminders Supplement can be added when some children speak Spanish. Extra activity books are sold in packs of 10. For “The paint cups set out,” also set out a cup of paint and a brush. If the books are not in the room yet, practice the spoken mission anyway, and tell families how a sponsor or an order supplies the printed set.
If any child in the co-op class speaks Spanish at home, order the Spanish activity book for that child and keep the same situation. The Spanish line for this plan is “Gracias por preparar la pintura.” The English line remains “Thank you for setting up the paint.”
This page is about getting the set into the co-op class: the manual, one activity book per child, and the 30-card flashcards, so “Thank you for putting a brush at my place.” can be written about Ms. Nguyen. The leader asks on Find a Sponsor at no cost. Alison Gilham matches a sponsor or takes a chosen group in any U.S. state, then calls the leader before shipping. Payment is due when the package is ready. Groups over 30 add books in tens. Spanish copies use “Gracias por preparar la pintura.” beside “Thank you for setting up the paint..” Email info@cultureofthankyou.com or call 971-265-8262.
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