3rd grade Sunday school: thank you in English and Spanish (once a week)
Children practice the same kindness in English and Spanish, with materials that match the language they speak. This once a week plan is for 3rd grade children in a Sunday school group.
about 8 and 9- 5 to 10 minutes missions
- once a week
Thank you in English and Spanish for 3rd grade in a Sunday school group
Children practice the same kindness in English and Spanish, with materials that match the language they speak. In this Sunday school room, 3rd grade children (about 8 and 9) practice with “The turn at the slide.” Sam, the classmate, Sam moved aside and said the next turn belonged to someone who had been waiting. The once a week calendar is the one that fits: This is the once-per-week format from the second half of the manual, written for groups and clubs that do not meet daily. One meeting carries the mission. A single home task goes in the activity book. Do not try to compress five school days into one hour.
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 brief discussion the children can lead, with the adult keeping it on one kindness. The spoken line is “Thank you for letting me go..” The note line is “Thank you for giving me a turn on the slide..” Alison Gilham’s program supplies the manual, the activity book, and the flashcards; this page is the plan for this group and this kindness.
The note for Sam
They draft, then check three parts: who, what the person did, and a closing that is not a joke. The extra practice pages in the classroom book are for the draft. The note that goes out can be copied clean. For this kindness the sentence is “Thank you for giving me a turn on the slide.” It has to mention the slide or the ladder of the slide, not a general compliment to the classmate.
A 3rd grade note that says only “thanks for being nice” goes back. Ask what Sam did. The extra practice pages are for the messy draft. Spanish-speaking children write the same kindness in the Spanish activity book, using “Gracias por dejarme el turno.”
Words to say about Sam
This is a script the Sunday school teacher can say with 3rd grade children during thank you in English and Spanish. It uses “The turn at the slide,” 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.
Sunday school teacher: “We are going to thank Sam. Sam is the classmate. Here is the kindness: Sam moved aside and said the next turn belonged to someone who had been waiting. It happened at the slide. Look at the ladder of the slide.”
Sunday school teacher: “A thank-you that fits is ‘Thank you for letting me go.’ Say it with me.” The group repeats it. Then one child says it alone. If they drop the kindness and only say “thank you,” ask what Sam did, and have them put that piece back in the sentence.
Sunday school teacher: “Someone might answer, ‘You were waiting. Go ahead.’ We do not mock that voice. We say it so children hear that thank you lands on a person.” Ask 3rd grade children, who are about 8 and 9, to try the line looking at a partner. a brief discussion the children can lead, with the adult keeping it on one kindness.
Age tips for 3rd grade (about 8 and 9)
Third grade sits at the top of the program’s age band. Children can explain why thank you matters and write more of the note themselves. Missions still last 5 to 10 minutes so they do not crowd reading and math. Community thank-yous fit well at this grade. For this Sunday school plan, keep the mission inside 5 to 10 minutes. a brief discussion the children can lead, with the adult keeping it on one kindness.
One once a week meeting in the Sunday school room
This is the once-per-week format from the second half of the manual, written for groups and clubs that do not meet daily. One meeting carries the mission. A single home task goes in the activity book. Do not try to compress five school days into one hour. In the Sunday school room, the Sunday school teacher has one sitting with 3rd grade children, about 8 and 9. Do not replay a school week. 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.
Copy-ready lines for “The turn at the slide”
Spoken line to practice: “Thank you for letting me go.” Reply children may hear: “You were waiting. Go ahead.” Note line to write: “Thank you for giving me a turn on the slide.” Spanish line for the same kindness: “Gracias por dejarme el turno.”
What Sam's lesson needs
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. 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 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. For “The turn at the slide,” also set out the ladder of the slide. Teach one kindness, then say the thank-you line in both languages. Children use the book that matches the language they are writing in.
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.
Home work after The turn at the slide
Thank a sibling for a turn with a toy, and name the toy. Write that in the activity book so the family sees Sam's kindness, not a blank “say thank you.” They draft, then check three parts: who, what the person did, and a closing that is not a joke. The extra practice pages in the classroom book are for the draft. The note that goes out can be copied clean.
If 3rd grade children stall on Sam
Have two children stand at a pretend ladder. Practice the step-aside and the thanks before anyone climbs. A child who keeps thanking the Sunday school teacher is avoiding Sam. Send them back to the classmate and the moment at the slide. Whispering “Thank you for letting me go.” counts.
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.
Books for this Sunday school 3rd grade group
Spoken practice about Sam can start in the Sunday school room today. The activity-book template matters when 3rd grade children are ready to write “Thank you for giving me a turn on the slide..” 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.
The same kindness in Spanish
Say the English line “Thank you for letting me go.” and the Spanish line “Gracias por dejarme el turno.” on the same kindness. Do not save Spanish for a different week. Children should see that Sam did one thing: Sam moved aside and said the next turn belonged to someone who had been waiting.
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.