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The Power of Gratitude: Teaching Students to Write Thank You Notes

As elementary teachers, we have so many jobs! From learning to read and write to understanding basic math facts and ideas, our classrooms are bustling hubs of discovery & growth. But, there’s one skill that sometimes gets overlooked in the hustle & bustle of learning: the art of expressing gratitude through thank-you notes. While this is something that should also be taught at home, I think it’s very important that we spend some time in our classrooms reinforcing the importance of the thank you note.

In today’s digital age, handwritten notes might seem like relics of the past, but there is something so special about a real-life card! Teaching our students to write thank you notes isn’t just about instilling proper manners. It’s about nurturing empathy, fostering relationships, and cultivating a mindset of appreciation.

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The Importance of Writing Notes

When I was a kid, my mom would not let me play with a toy, spend the money I got, or wear that cute new outfit…unless I wrote my thank you notes! So you better believe that I was highly motivated to get those notes done!

At home, we use these darling fill-in-the-blank notes from Joy Creative Shop!

Here are a few reasons why I believe teaching students to write thank you notes is an essential life skill:

Cultivating Gratitude

In a world filled with distractions and desires for more {which I am definitely guilty of!}, cultivating gratitude is more important than ever. Thank you notes provide a tangible way for students to reflect on the kindnesses they’ve received and express genuine appreciation for them.

A young girl lies on her stomach on a bed, writing thank you notes with pens and paper scattered around her.

By regularly engaging in the act of writing thank you notes, we help our students develop a habit of gratitude that can positively influence their outlook on life.

Related Product: A Note from the Teacher Templates

Building Relationships

Relationships are the cornerstone of life! Teaching students to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of others through thank you notes lays the groundwork for building strong, meaningful connections. Whether it’s thanking a classmate for helping them with a challenging assignment or expressing gratitude to a teacher for their guidance, notes strengthen bonds build community.

Developing Communication Skills

Writing thank you notes isn’t just about saying “thank you.” It’s an opportunity for students to practice their writing and communication skills in a meaningful way.

A young girl with braided hair writing thank you notes in a notebook in a classroom, with other students in the background.

From crafting thoughtful messages to practicing proper letter format and handwriting, writing thank you notes provides valuable real-world writing experience.

Preparing for the Future

The ability to express gratitude gracefully is a skill that will serve our students well throughout their lives. From job interviews to networking events to personal relationships, knowing how to write a sincere thank you note can make a lasting impression. By equipping our students with this essential skill early on, we’re setting them up for success in all aspects of their lives.

So, fellow teachers, let’s make teaching thank you notes a priority in our classrooms. Let’s show our students that gratitude isn’t just a nice gesture—it’s a powerful tool for building relationships, fostering empathy, and cultivating a brighter, more appreciative world.

Need some easy ideas? Keep reading!

Read Books About Gratitude

Of course I love any excuse to slip a book into any lesson. Here are a few of my favorite books about gratitude {that I actually read at home with Luke, too!}

The Thank You Letter

This is my absolute favorite book about thank yous! After her birthday party, Grace writes thank you notes to show her appreciation for her gifts. However, she realizes that she has so much more to be grateful for beyond the gifts she’s received – teachers, her dogs, and other little things around her!

Illustration of a children's book titled "The Thank You Notes" by Jane Cabrera, surrounded by colorful school supplies and toys on a white table.

Thank You Thank You Thank You

This is a super sweet book that will give your students a chance to appreciate the little things that we all may take for granted each day – from trees to the songs of birds. I’ve used this book as a great chat on mindfulness, too!

A children's book titled "The Thank You Notes Book" by Mo Willems surrounded by colorful school supplies and numbered blocks.

The Thank You Book

Everyone loves an Elephant and Piggie book! They’re always teaching us lessons in the simplest ways!

A colorful image of a book titled "Thank You Notes," surrounded by stationery items, colored pencils, and number magnets.

Add Cards to a Writing Center

As the books point out, there is so much to be grateful for – beyond the physical gifts we get from friends and family.

In my class, we often write thank you notes. It’s an easy activity to slip into our writing center.

I have two types of thank you notes for kids to pick from – school staff and community helpers!

These School Staff notes give students a chance to write to the important people they are helped by throughout the day – from the bus driver to the librarian {and everyone in between} Of course there are a few options of paper included so you can pick the version that works best for your kids.

A collection of colorful, illustrated "thank you" cards featuring diverse children in various outfits, surrounded by crayons and markers on a white surface.

These Community Thank You notes help students understand that there are even more people that help us each day.

Model Writing Thank You Notes!

We need to practice what we preach, right? Well, I’ve made it easy! These Print & Go Thank You Notes are a simple way to express your gratitude to your students. Whether they bring you a coffee, a bouquet of flowers, a book for your classroom, or anything else, these print and go thank you notes are a great addition to have in your classroom.

You can check out the thank you notes for students and families here or read more here.

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