Thanksgiving
Thankful notes for students, one for each child in your class.
A thankful note tells a student one true thing you're grateful for about them: a moment you noticed, how they help, how they've grown. Add a few quick notes about each student, and a warm letter in your voice is ready for you to review, change and approve, with a matching certificate in an autumn design.
A class of 24, letter and certificate: $192 ($8 each)
Updated
What to write in a thankful note to a student
Name one real thing you noticed and why you're thankful for it. A real moment means more than a general compliment, and a sentence or two of notes is plenty.
- A moment this fall when they helped someone without being asked.
- Something they've worked hard at, and how it's going.
- How they make the room feel, in your own words.
- A question, idea or project of theirs you still remember.
- If you like, one small thing to keep working on, said kindly.
Two real examples
From a few notes to a letter they'll keep.
Ms. Lee's notes for two students in Room 12, and what came back. Shown exactly as written. The names are made up.
A letter to Maya, from Ms. Lee
What Ms. Lee said
“Maya reads every animal book she can find in our class library, and she just started writing her own book about sea turtles. She is the first to help anyone who is stuck in math. Working on slowing down to check her work.”
The letter that came back
Dear Maya,
I am so grateful for you and everything you bring to our classroom. You make Room 12 a kinder, smarter place just by being you.
You read every animal book you can find in our class library. The way you dive into learning about animals shows me how curious and passionate you are. And now you are writing your own book about sea turtles! That takes real creativity and dedication, and I cannot wait to see where it goes.
You are also the first to help anyone who is stuck in math. When someone needs support, you are right there, ready to explain and encourage. That kindness does not go unnoticed. You make your classmates feel like they can do hard things, and that is a gift.
I know slowing down to check your work can be tough when your brain is moving fast, but I believe in you. With a little more patience, your careful thinking will shine through even more.
Thank you for being such a bright spot in our class. I am lucky to be your teacher.
Ms. Lee
The certificate
The Animal Expert and Helper Award
You read every animal book you could find in our class library, soaking up facts and stories about the creatures you love. Then you took it even further and started writing your own book about sea turtles, sharing your passion and creativity with all of us. You were also the first to help anyone who was stuck in math, offering patience and encouragement when your classmates needed it most. Your curiosity, kindness, and willingness to lift others up made Room 12 a better place this year. Thank you for being such a thoughtful, enthusiastic learner and friend.
A letter to Eli, from Ms. Lee
What Ms. Lee said
“Eli was really quiet in September. Last week he volunteered to read his poem to the whole class, and he did it with a big smile. He always cleans up the science table without being asked.”
The letter that came back
Dear Eli,
I am so thankful for you. You make Room 12 a kinder, more thoughtful place just by being in it.
Do you remember how quiet you were back in September? I noticed it, and I understood. Speaking up in a room full of people is hard. But last week, when you volunteered to read your poem to the whole class, I saw something incredible. You stood up there with a big smile on your face, and you shared your words with all of us. That took real courage, Eli, and I was so proud of you. The way you have opened up this year shows me how much you have grown.
There is something else I want you to know. Every time I see you cleaning up the science table without being asked, it reminds me what a thoughtful person you are. You notice what needs to be done, and you just do it. That kind of quiet kindness does not go unnoticed, and it makes a bigger difference than you might realize.
Thank you for being exactly who you are. I am grateful to have you in our class.
Ms. Lee
The certificate
The Brave Poet Award
For standing up in front of the whole class and reading your poem with a big smile. You were really quiet in September, and watching you find your voice this year has been one of the best parts of teaching Room 12. You also clean up the science table without being asked, every single time, and that kind of thoughtfulness makes our classroom a better place for everyone. Thank you for your courage, your kindness, and for being exactly who you are, Eli.
Award title ideas
Awards that celebrate each person's own strengths.
Each certificate gets its own award title, written from your notes. A few come from the examples on this page; the rest are ideas in the same spirit. None of them rank one child against another.
- The Brave Poet Award
- The Animal Expert and Helper Award
- The Kind Words Award
- The Always Asks Why Award
- The Steady Helper Award
- The Big Heart Award
- The Never Gives Up Award
How it works
About a minute per person.
We use AI to draft each letter from only the notes you give us. Nothing is final until you approve it.
- 1
Pick the occasion and a design
Thanksgiving, the holidays, the end of the season, a thank you or just because. Choose a letter design, a certificate design and your group's colors.
- 2
Type or say a few notes about each person
A moment you noticed, how they grew, what you'll remember. A sentence or two is plenty, and short and messy is fine.
- 3
Review, change anything, print
Review each one, change anything you like and approve it. Then download print ready PDFs and print at home.
Thanksgiving designs, and the everyday ones
Questions
Last names are optional, stay on your device and are never saved. Everything is deleted 30 days after your order is finished, or 60 days after an order is started and never finished.
Who writes the letters?
You do, with help. We use AI to draft each letter from only the notes you give us. Each one is written in your voice, about that one person. You review each one and change anything you like before you download, and nothing is final until you approve it.
Do the letters compare kids with each other?
No. Each letter is about one person and never compares them with anyone else. Award titles celebrate that person's own strengths and growth.
How long does it take?
About a minute per person once your names are in. Most of that minute is you saying what you noticed. The writing, the design and the layout are done for you.
What do I get?
Print ready PDFs on US Letter pages: one file of letters and one of certificates. Print them at home or at any print shop. You can also email each one to the family straight from the app.
Do I have to enter last names?
No. First names are all we need. If you add last names so they print on the page, they stay on your device and are never saved.
Tell each student what you're thankful for.
Start with first names and a few notes. You'll have a letter and a certificate for each student, ready to print before the break.
Letters from $6 each for groups of 16 or more.