3rd grade Sunday school: sponsoring this group (Monday–Friday)

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 3rd grade children in a Sunday school group.

  • about 8 and 9
  • 5 to 10 minutes missions
  • Monday–Friday
3rd grade Sunday school: sponsoring this group (Monday–Friday) — children learning gratitude with books and activities

Sponsoring this group for 3rd grade in a Sunday school group

The leader knows how a sponsor funds the manual, the activity books, and the flashcards, and how to ask. In this Sunday school room, 3rd grade children (about 8 and 9) 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 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 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.

Words to say about Ms. Nguyen

This is a script the Sunday school teacher can say with 3rd 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.

The note for Ms. Nguyen

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 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.

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.

Five 3rd grade missions in the Sunday school room

On Monday, 3rd grade children (about 8 and 9) stay with “The paint cups set out.” Look only. Put a cup of paint and a brush where 3rd 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. 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, Place one brush and one empty spot. Ask which seat shows the kindness.

Copy-ready lines for “The paint cups set out”

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.”

If 3rd grade children stall on Ms. Nguyen

Place one brush and one empty spot. Ask which seat shows the kindness. A child who keeps thanking the Sunday school 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.

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.

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.

Home work after The paint cups set out

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.” 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.

What Ms. Nguyen'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 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.

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 preparar la pintura.” The English line remains “Thank you for setting up the paint.”

Books for this Sunday school 3rd grade group

This page is about getting the set into the Sunday school room: 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.

Questions leaders ask

Plan on 5 to 10 minutes. 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. 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.

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.