A Harvest Thank You!
Thank-you cards matter
by Janice Ross
Suitable for Whole School (Pri)
Aims
To consider the importance of thankfulness.
Preparation and materials
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You will need a variety of cards that celebrate events such as a birthday, the arrival of a new baby, Christmas and Easter (or other religious festivals), and a get well soon card. These should be written and addressed to either yourself or different people in the room.
Note: the assembly suggests questions that are specific to these cards, but any cards could be used and the questions altered slightly at the teacher’s discretion. -
Optional: if possible, have available a thank-you card that has been handmade by a child.
Assembly
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There are many ways to send messages.
Ask the children for some examples. Examples could include text, phone, email and so on.
One of the most exciting ways to receive a message is when it is delivered in the post! I wonder if you like getting things through the post.
Ask the children if they can remember having something delivered in this way. How did they feel?
Listen to a range of responses.
It’s always exciting to see something that has your name on it. When you are an adult, the post is often not very interesting – it might be junk mail, a bank statement or even a bill. But at certain times of the year, there may be an exciting piece of post for everyone.
Let’s look at some post.
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Pick up the birthday card and read out the name on the envelope. (This may be yourself or someone else present. If there is a child who has a birthday on the day of the assembly, it would be good to choose him or her.)
Open the birthday card. Read out the following statements and questions and wait for the responses after each one.- Hands up if you like to receive this kind of card.
- How would you feel if you never received a birthday card?
- Stand up if you have received a birthday card this month.
Let’s take a look around at the people of all ages celebrating their birthdays this month and wish them all a very happy birthday. -
Open the new baby card. Read out the following statements and questions and wait for the responses after each one.
- Hands up if your family has received one of these cards recently.
- Has anyone met a new baby recently?
(Allow the children time to share about the arrival of new babies among their family and friends.) -
Open the Christmas card. Read out the following statements and questions and wait for the responses after each one.
- Hands up if you like to receive this kind of card.
- When do these cards pop through our letterboxes?
- What pictures might be on the cards?
- What do the cards usually say?
- Who might send you one of these? -
Open the Easter card (or a card celebrating another festival that is common to the children). Read out the following questions and listen to the responses after each one.
- When might these cards pop through our letterboxes?
- What pictures might be on the cards?
- What do the cards usually say?
- Who might send you one of these? -
Open a get well soon card. Read out the following statements and questions and wait for the responses after each one.
- Hands up if you have ever received one of these cards.
- What was wrong with you?
- Hands up if you have ever sent one of these cards. To whom did you send it?
- Why do people send get well soon cards? -
Explain that you have a favourite kind of card. It is a thank-you card.
If possible, show a handmade thank-you card from a child, talking about the drawings and the message. Read out the following questions and listen to the responses after each one.
- Why do you think I like these cards?
- How do you think they make me feel?
- Have you ever sent a thank-you card?
(Allow the children time to share to whom they sent the card and the reason why.)Suggest that a simple thank you can bring a great deal of joy to people.
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Point out that, at this time of year, people are especially reminded to say thank you because it is harvest time. Ask the children to think about whether there is anyone to whom they could say thank you or for whom they could make a special thank-you card.
Time for reflection
Many people use harvest as a time to say thank you to God for the beautiful world he has made for us to live in. People thank God for the sunshine and the rain that help plants to grow so that we have vegetables and fruits and cereals to eat.
What are you thankful for?
Is there someone for whom you could make a thank-you card?
What message will you write?
Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for harvest time.
Thank you that you have sent the sunshine and the rain.
Thank you that the farmers are busy in the fields bringing all the harvest in.
Thank you for all the lovely foods that we can eat and enjoy.
Amen.
