2nd grade Sunday school: thanking a classmate (Monday–Friday)
Children thank a classmate for a real kindness from this week, using the classmate’s name. This Monday–Friday plan is for 2nd grade children in a Sunday school group.
about 7 and 8- 5 to 10 minutes missions
- Monday–Friday
Thanking a classmate for 2nd grade in a Sunday school group
Children thank a classmate for a real kindness from this week, using the classmate’s name. In this Sunday school room, 2nd grade children (about 7 and 8) practice with “The blocks back in the bins.” Eli, the classmate, Eli stayed after play and put the blocks back in the right bins. 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 Sunday school teacher leads. Opening and music already take time. The mission is one short block, then the note template only when the group has practiced the kindness out loud. Children answer in a flashcard on the rug or the board, then quiet writing. The spoken line is “Thank you for cleaning up the blocks with me..” The note line is “Thank you for putting the blocks away..” Alison Gilham’s program supplies the manual, the activity book, and the flashcards; this page is the plan for this group and this kindness.
Five 2nd grade missions in the Sunday school room
Monday in the Sunday school room belongs to the Sunday school teacher. Look only. Put two bins of blocks where 2nd grade children can see it. Name Eli, the classmate, and say the kindness: Eli stayed after play and put the blocks back in the right bins. It happened at the block corner. Ask “Which part of cleanup is easy to leave for someone else?” Stop at 5 to 10 minutes. No note yet. Opening and music already take time. The mission is one short block, then the note template only when the group has practiced the kindness out loud. If they freeze, Scatter five paper squares. Cleanup is not done until the thanks names the bins, not just “helping.”
On Tuesday, 2nd grade children (about 7 and 8) stay with “The blocks back in the bins.” Say the line. 2nd grade children tell a partner, “Thank you for cleaning up the blocks with me.” Name the kindness first, then the classmate. The classmate’s only job is to hear it. They do not have to make a speech back. If the kindness disappears, point back to two bins of blocks. Opening and music already take time. The mission is one short block, then the note template only when the group has practiced the kindness out loud. If they freeze, Scatter five paper squares. Cleanup is not done until the thanks names the bins, not just “helping.”
Wednesday does not add a new helper. It stays with Eli. Test the detail. Ask “What thanks sounds fair if you both worked?” Answers have to name what Eli did, not that the classmate was nice. a flashcard on the rug or the board, then quiet writing. Opening and music already take time. The mission is one short block, then the note template only when the group has practiced the kindness out loud. If they freeze, Scatter five paper squares. Cleanup is not done until the thanks names the bins, not just “helping.”
Who is in the Sunday school room
Sunday school time is limited. The once-per-week missions were written for groups that meet weekly, including church classes. Children can thank family, classmates, and people who serve the congregation. The series still ends with a thank-you note.
Age tips for 2nd grade (about 7 and 8)
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 Sunday school plan, keep the mission inside 5 to 10 minutes. a flashcard on the rug or the board, then quiet writing.
The note for Eli
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 the blocks away.” It has to mention the block corner or two bins of blocks, not a general compliment to the classmate.
Words to say about Eli
This is a script the Sunday school teacher can say with 2nd grade children during thanking a classmate. It uses “The blocks back in the bins,” 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.
Copy-ready lines for “The blocks back in the bins”
Spoken line to practice: “Thank you for cleaning up the blocks with me.” Reply children may hear: “The long ones go in this bin.” Note line to write: “Thank you for putting the blocks away.” Spanish line for the same kindness: “Gracias por guardar los bloques.”
Spanish materials in this group
If any child in the Sunday school room 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 guardar los bloques.” The English line remains “Thank you for cleaning up the blocks with me.”
Classroom and group notes for the Sunday school room
Sunday school time is limited. The once-per-week missions were written for groups that meet weekly, including church classes. Children can thank family, classmates, and people who serve the congregation. The series still ends with a thank-you note. Opening and music already take time. The mission is one short block, then the note template only when the group has practiced the kindness out loud.
If 2nd grade children stall on Eli
Scatter five paper squares. Cleanup is not done until the thanks names the bins, not just “helping.” A child who keeps thanking the Sunday school teacher is avoiding Eli. Send them back to the classmate and the moment at the block corner. Whispering “Thank you for cleaning up the blocks with me.” counts.
Books for this Sunday school 2nd grade group
Spoken practice about Eli can start in the Sunday school room today. The activity-book template matters when 2nd grade children are ready to write “Thank you for putting the blocks away..” If a sponsor is funding this Sunday school group, parents get a sample letter, and shipping is included on full and partial packages. The leader can ask at no cost.
What Eli's lesson needs
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 blocks back in the bins,” also set out two bins of blocks. Name the kindness first, then the classmate. The classmate’s only job is to hear it. They do not have to make a speech back.
Home work after The blocks back in the bins
Put one set of toys back where they belong and thank the person who usually does that alone. Write that in the activity book so the family sees Eli'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.
Questions leaders ask
Let's Grow a Culture of Thank You.
Whether you're a parent, teacher, organization, business, or individual looking to make a difference, there's a place for you in the Culture of Thank You.
Let's help the next generation learn to recognize kindness, appreciate others,
and say “Thank You” with meaning.