Kindergarten Sunday school: noticing kindness (Monday–Friday)
Children point to a real kindness before they are asked to say or write thank you. This Monday–Friday plan is for kindergarten children in a Sunday school group.
about 5 and 6- 5 to 10 minutes missions
- Monday–Friday
Noticing kindness for kindergarten in a Sunday school group
Children point to a real kindness before they are asked to say or write thank you. In this Sunday school room, kindergarten children (about 5 and 6) practice with “The music stand turned around.” Ms. Clark, the music teacher, she turned a music stand so a child could see the song. 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 morning-meeting turn, with children repeating one line together before anyone writes. The spoken line is “Thank you for turning the stand so I could see..” The note line is “Thank you for helping me see the song..” Alison Gilham’s program supplies the manual, the activity book, and the flashcards; this page is the plan for this group and this kindness.
What Ms. Clark'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 music stand turned around,” also set out a music stand. Show the moment first. Ask what the helper did with their hands. Accept the action before you ask for the polite words.
Five kindergarten missions in the Sunday school room
Monday does not add a new helper. It stays with Ms. Clark. Look only. Put a music stand where kindergarten children can see it. Name Ms. Clark, the music teacher, and say the kindness: she turned a music stand so a child could see the song. It happened at the music circle. Ask “What was blocking the song?” 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, Turn a paper away from a child, then toward them. Ask which way was the kindness.
Age tips for kindergarten (about 5 and 6)
Kindergarten is the right moment to make thank you a habit, because morning meeting already asks children to look at one another. The language stays simple enough for early readers. Missions stay short so they fit circle time without replacing the rest of the day. For this Sunday school plan, keep the mission inside 5 to 10 minutes. a morning-meeting turn, with children repeating one line together before anyone writes.
The note for Ms. Clark
The adult writes the helper’s name if needed. The child copies “Thank you for” and then adds a few of their own words or a drawing of the kindness. For this kindness the sentence is “Thank you for helping me see the song.” It has to mention the music circle or a music stand, not a general compliment to the music teacher.
Words to say about Ms. Clark
This is a script the Sunday school teacher can say with kindergarten children during noticing kindness. It uses “The music stand turned around,” 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 music stand turned around”
Spoken line to practice: “Thank you for turning the stand so I could see.” Reply children may hear: “Can you see the first line now?” Note line to write: “Thank you for helping me see the song.” Spanish line for the same kindness: “Gracias por girar el atril.”
Home work after The music stand turned around
Thank a family member who moves a lamp or a book so you can see. Write that in the activity book so the family sees Ms. Clark's kindness, not a blank “say thank you.” The adult writes the helper’s name if needed. The child copies “Thank you for” and then adds a few of their own words or a drawing of the kindness.
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.
If kindergarten children stall on Ms. Clark
Turn a paper away from a child, then toward them. Ask which way was the kindness. A child who keeps thanking the Sunday school teacher is avoiding Ms. Clark. Send them back to the music teacher and the moment at the music circle. Whispering “Thank you for turning the stand so I could see.” counts.
Books for this Sunday school kindergarten group
Spoken practice about Ms. Clark can start in the Sunday school room today. The activity-book template matters when kindergarten children are ready to write “Thank you for helping me see the song..” 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.
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 girar el atril.” The English line remains “Thank you for turning the stand so I could see.”
Before Ms. Clark comes up in the Sunday school room
The Sunday school teacher should be able to say the kindness in one breath: Ms. Clark she turned a music stand so a child could see the song. If that sentence is fuzzy, kindergarten children will write a vague thank-you. Keep a music stand in reach and keep the mission inside 5 to 10 minutes. 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.
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.