Preschool Sunday school: thank you in English and Spanish (Monday–Friday)
Children practice the same kindness in English and Spanish, with materials that match the language they speak. This Monday–Friday plan is for preschool children in a Sunday school group.
about 4 and 5- 5 to 7 minutes missions
- Monday–Friday
Thank you in English and Spanish for preschool 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, preschool children (about 4 and 5) practice with “The shared crackers.” Riley, the classmate, Riley split a pack of crackers with a child who had none. 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 one picture and one question, answered out loud in a small circle. The spoken line is “Thank you for sharing your crackers..” The note line is “Thank you for sharing your snack with me..” 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 Riley
The note can be a dictated sentence. The child supplies the person’s name and the kindness. The adult prints it on the activity-book template so the child can see that spoken thanks and written thanks are the same idea. For this kindness the sentence is “Thank you for sharing your snack with me.” It has to mention the snack table or a pack of crackers, not a general compliment to the classmate.
A preschool note that says only “thanks for being nice” goes back. Ask what Riley 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 compartir tus galletas.”
Words to say about Riley
This is a script the Sunday school teacher can say with preschool children during thank you in English and Spanish. It uses “The shared crackers,” 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 Riley. Riley is the classmate. Here is the kindness: Riley split a pack of crackers with a child who had none. It happened at the snack table. Look at a pack of crackers.”
Age tips for preschool (about 4 and 5)
Preschool children can learn why thank you matters before they write much. They need a picture, a person, and one clear kindness. A long talk loses them. The leader shows the moment, the children say a short line, and the group stops while the words still feel friendly. For this Sunday school plan, keep the mission inside 5 to 7 minutes. one picture and one question, answered out loud in a small circle.
Five preschool missions in the Sunday school room
Keep Monday inside 5 to 7 minutes in this Sunday school group. Look only. Put a pack of crackers where preschool children can see it. Name Riley, the classmate, and say the kindness: Riley split a pack of crackers with a child who had none. It happened at the snack table. Ask “What did Riley have less of after sharing?” Stop at 5 to 7 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, Use two paper squares as crackers. Practice the offer and the thanks before anyone pretends to eat.
Copy-ready lines for “The shared crackers”
Spoken line to practice: “Thank you for sharing your crackers.” Reply children may hear: “You can have these.” Note line to write: “Thank you for sharing your snack with me.” Spanish line for the same kindness: “Gracias por compartir tus galletas.”
What Riley'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 shared crackers,” also set out a pack of crackers. 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 shared crackers
Share one snack at home and thank someone who has shared food with you before. Write that in the activity book so the family sees Riley's kindness, not a blank “say thank you.” The note can be a dictated sentence. The child supplies the person’s name and the kindness. The adult prints it on the activity-book template so the child can see that spoken thanks and written thanks are the same idea.
If preschool children stall on Riley
Use two paper squares as crackers. Practice the offer and the thanks before anyone pretends to eat. A child who keeps thanking the Sunday school teacher is avoiding Riley. Send them back to the classmate and the moment at the snack table. Whispering “Thank you for sharing your crackers.” 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 preschool group
Spoken practice about Riley can start in the Sunday school room today. The activity-book template matters when preschool children are ready to write “Thank you for sharing your snack with me..” 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 sharing your crackers.” and the Spanish line “Gracias por compartir tus galletas.” on the same kindness. Do not save Spanish for a different week. Children should see that Riley did one thing: Riley split a pack of crackers with a child who had none.
Questions leaders ask
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and say “Thank You” with meaning.