5/9 - Thank You Notes
General Activity Outline
The 1 - 2 - 3 of each activity
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WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA?
The Big Idea is just that: the one nugget all advisees should leave the X-Block understanding. Share The Big Idea first thing - project it, post it, someone read it off the site, however you want to do it! With more opportunities for choice in activity this year, The Big Idea will work to anchor everyone to essentially the same outcome.
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HOW TO GET THERE
This section will outline the instructions for the activity. As much as possible, different options will be offered for how the content is reached. Every group is encouraged to work together to choose the best method, with the advisor having ultimate discretion. Try to make these calls by the Tuesday before the X Block period so you can request any needed materials. [TIP: use homeroom time or the last 2 minutes of X-Block to make choices for the next session] This section should take about 10-15 minutes.
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BEFORE YOU GO
A few minutes before the bell it is important to stop and wrap-up the actvitity, even if all the listed steps were not completed (remember: there are usually more things listed than there is time to do it - only to prevent idle time, not stress anyone out!). In the wrap-up, read the take away together, have a few people respond, and send along the responses. Submissions can be sent right through the webpage by a student or the teacher (BYOD!), just fill in the purple box!
REMINDER
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No Cell Phones out during advisory unless they are part of the activity
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All school rules apply in advisory
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All students should be participating in the Advisory Activity.
If you have a student who is disruptive or refuses to participate in a productive manner please send them to room 330 and send an email to Xblock@spyponders.com and the students dean.
TODAY'S BIG IDEA
Seniors will choose one person in their life who has made a difference, who has helped them, made their lives easier, better...and they will write them a thank you note, a real, hand-written thank you note to be delivered by hand or mail.
HOW TO GET THERE
"Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone."
-G.B. Stern
Before Advisory
In your mailbox, on Thursday morning you will find a stack of Thank You Cards.
If there are no cards or you have questions, comments or concerns please email xblock@spyponders.com.
During Advisory
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Thank You Cards
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Ask seniors: Who has made a difference in your life, either this year or over the past four years?
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Mention to students that this could be a teacher, coach, secretary, custodian, lunchroom staff member, club advisor, tutor, parent, guardian, teacher who wrote a recommendation or someone else. The list is endless.
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Students can brainstorm a list or they might already know who their person is going to be.
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Write a thank you letter. (we strongly suggest drafting a note on scrap paper before writing on the nice card) Remind students to do the following:
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make sure to address it properly starting with dear or to and the person’s name.
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Include why he/she made a difference in their life
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Say thank you
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Sign off with sincerely, fondly, from, regards and the student’s name
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Note: the message can be as long or as short, as simple or as complicated as the student likes, as long as it says thank you!
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Stuck? Check out these hints from Hallmark
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Feel free to decorate the cards and/or the envelopes as well!! Make it personal.
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Students should take the envelopes with them. Please encourage students to put them in the mail or hand deliver them.
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Before you go, fill in the feedback section below.
BEFORE YOU GO
TAKE AWAY
If students are willing to share who they wrote too we would love to know.
Who did you write to? Why?