GRATITUDE

Bob Hope

  • Bob Hope was born in England and came to America at the age of 4 through Ellis Island.
  • Bob Hope initially found success in vaudeville and went on to have a successful career in radio, film and television.
  • He is most famous for entertaining the troops for over 50 years during peace and wartime.
  • He spent every Christmas with the troops in some far away part of the world.
  • Bob Hope was made an Honorary Veteran in 1997.
 
Monday: Treating Parents With Respect/Essential Ingredients of Raising Children
Tuesday: Movie Stepmom
Wednesday: Quiz over Chapter 11
Thursday: Skill: Writing Thank You Notes/Leadership Principle: The Art of Decision Making
Friday:  Weekly Assignment Due
Write a letter to a parent or guardian expressing gratitude for his or her commitment, guidance and concern. Students should write a letter to parents that discusses the impact the parent had on their life. Invite parents to the class on Friday and host a party in their honor. Students will read their letters to their parents. Give parents the opportunity to respond to the letter. Please take the invitation home no later than Monday - it is located in the student handbook (handout 1 in the curriculum).

Basic Skill: writing Thank You Notes

Rationale:
​Whenever you receive a gift from a friend or relative, you should send a thank you note. Not only is it an expectation to send thank you notes when a personal gift is received, but it is a standard practice in the business world. Upon completing a job interview, the first thing you should do is send a handwritten thank you note. This is also true whenever somebody does business with you. It is a courtesy you extend to family, friends and business associates. It shows sincerity and professionalism. It lets people know that you
appreciate their time, effort and thoughtfulness. Young people need to understand that as a professional, sending thank you notes promptly can be the difference between obtaining a job and not. When two equally qualified candidates apply for a job, it is the little things that put you over the top.
Exercise:
Guest speakers have been attending class all semester. Each one has taken time out of their busy
schedule to share some of their life experiences with you. They were not paid to do so, rather they did so
out of the kindness of their heart. Hopefully, you made them feel welcomed and appreciated when they
were here. Now, you must take the extra step.
  • Each student will write a thank you note to one of the guest speakers (it’s okay if the guest speaker receives more than one).
  • The teacher should edit and critique these letters. Don’t be afraid to make the students rewrite the letter if it needs it.
  • When completed to the teacher’s satisfaction, these thank you notes will be signed by all members of the class.
  • Make sure to address the envelopes, put stamps on them and send them out.
The following is a standard protocol for writing a thank you note:
  • The letter should be done promptly (within 30 days of the event).
  • If possible, it should be written on stationery or a thank you note card.
  • The letter should be handwritten, not typed.
  • The letter should have a heading, body, closing and signature.
  • The letter should use proper grammar and spelling (probably two drafts will be needed).
In the body of the letter, be sure to:
  • Thank the person for his/her time.
  • Tell them how much you enjoyed having them and why.
  • Cite a personal example that particularly inspired you.
  • Finish by thanking this person again.
  • Do not write things like, “How are you doing? I am fi ne.” “This is an assignment from class, so …”
  • “My teacher is making me write this letter to you.”
  • You should use a closing like, “Sincerely,” and sign your name below it.
  • Make sure to leave room for everybody in the class to sign it.