Thankful Thursday

Our guest blog is brought to you by two outstanding educators and the co-authors the book, Teachables: Bite-Size Strategies That Make a Major Impact in the Classroom, Cheryl Abla and Lisa Maxfield! This book is jam-packed with outstanding resources! Be sure to check it out!

A Little More About Our Two Guest Hosts:

Cheryl Abla believes in all students' capacity to achieve at high levels and is passionate about helping educators use their full potential to make a positive impact on students. She coaches K–12 teachers and school leaders on effective instructional strategies, problem-based learning, classroom technology, teacher coaching, second-language learners support, and creating engaging school cultures and climates.

Lisa Maxfield brings over 30 years of experience in educational institutions and currently holds the role of project/partner success manager. She assists educators in using observational software, manages projects, conducts technical training sessions, and fosters lasting relationships with educators.

Take it away, my friends!

Guest Blog

You know that feeling when you receive a handwritten note from a friend, family member, or student? It brings a smile to your face, and you put it on your desk, keep it in your “special folder,” or place it where you can read it often.

Thankful Thursday is an excellent way to teach your students the importance of gratitude by letting others know they are appreciated. An act of kindness leaves the contributor and the recipient feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

Once a month, give students a few minutes to write a thank-you note. The note can be written to anyone they choose: a classmate, a family member, another teacher, a former teacher, you (because you are wonderful), cafeteria staff, or even themselves. They should be sure to mail or deliver the note to the person.
Have your students record a brief (one to two minutes) thank-you message on Zoom, TikTok, or Instagram to share with the person to whom they are grateful. A written note is wonderful, but it’s beautiful to see someone’s facial expression as words of gratitude are spoken.
On occasional Thursdays, bring your students together in a circle and have each one state what they are thankful for at that moment. This should take no more than five minutes, and it sets a positive tone for the class period or day.
Create a “gift of kindness” bulletin board and post various acts of kindness onto the board. Students can contribute their creative ideas to the board as well. Each week, introduce a new random act of kindness for students to carry out. Encourage reflection through writing or sharing stories, and assess whether acts of kindness are creating a positive change to their day. Here are some examples of random acts of kindness that your students can try:
- Write positive messages and post them around the classroom or school.
- Say thank you to school staff (e.g., bus drivers, custodial, cafeteria, and front office).
- Invite a classmate you don’t typically eat with to join you at lunch.
- Write a note to a family member telling them how they had a positive impact on you.
- Give a compliment to someone you don’t normally talk to.
- Call a relative on the phone and ask them questions about their life.
Create a “shout out” board and provide colorful paper for students to anonymously write positive affirmations for one another. This promotes a culture of encouragement and motivation. Seeing positive affirmations from their peers can uplift students’ spirits, boost their self-confidence, and inspire them to excel in their endeavors. It acts as a constant reminder that their efforts are recognized and valued by others, which can have a profound impact on their academic and personal growth.

If you want to go above and beyond, check out these items located on the Teachables website:

Watch the eight-minute “Random Acts of Kindness in School: The Breakfast Club” video. See what a difference a group of eighth-grade students made in their school. Oh, and you may need tissues for this one. If appropriate, share with your students.
The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation website provides free lesson plans, coloring pages, quotes, posters, videos, and more to use in your classroom. They have loads of ideas on how to spread kindness any day of the year (e.g., send an uplifting text, give an unexpected gift, pick up litter). And be sure to mark these two days on your calendar now:
- February 17: Random Acts of Kindness Day
- November 13: World Kindness Day

We all enjoy receiving thanks when we have performed an act of kindness, but it can be even more rewarding when you are the person expressing gratitude. Experiment with one of the 'Thankful Thursday' strategies to observe how your students respond to positivity.

Share on social media the Thankful Thursday strategy you try. If you have other ideas, please share those as well. Be sure to tag us. #Teachables @cherylabla @leemaxfield29