illustration of a thank you note
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Debate,

Do You Have to Write Thank-You Notes?

Isaac thinks a phone call is the best way to say thanks, but his parents disagree. Who’s right?

From the September 2020 Issue
Lexiles: 500L-600L, 600L-700L
Featured Skill: Supporting an Argument,
Common Core Standards
  • R.1, R.2, R.6, R.8, W.1, W.4, W.10, SL.1, SL.3
TEKS Standards
  • Grades 2-3
    1a, 1c, 1d, 5a, 6b, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 9e, 11a, 11b, 11c, 12b

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Dear Mom and Dad, 

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I love the Star Wars LEGO set Aunt Laura got me for my birthday! I’m planning to call her today to thank her. I know what you’re going to say next. You think I should also send her a thank-you note. But I don’t think that’s needed. A phone call does everything a thank-you note does, plus more. 

On the phone, Aunt Laura will be able to hear the excitement in my voice when I tell her how much I love my gift. We can even switch to a video call. That way, I can show her when I put the last brick on the starfighter. She can watch me zoom it around the yard. I couldn’t do that in a letter! We can also talk about other things, like her new puppy. 

Plus, I can thank Aunt Laura on the phone today. She’ll have to wait to get my letter in the mail. 

Let’s face it, Mom and Dad, a thank-you note is a thing of the past. Phone calls are the best way to say thanks. 

Love,

Isaac

I love the Star Wars LEGO set Aunt Laura got me for my birthday! I’m planning to call her to thank her. I bet you think I should also send her a thank-you note. But I don’t think I need to. A phone call does everything a thank-you note does and more!

On the phone, Aunt Laura will be able to hear how excited I am. I can tell her how much I love my gift. We can even switch to a video call. I’ll show her when I put the last brick on the starfighter. She can watch me zoom it around the yard. We can also talk about her cat. I couldn’t do that in a letter!

Plus, Aunt Laura would have to wait to get my letter in the mail. Let’s face it, a thank-you note is a thing of the past. Phone calls are the best way to say thanks.

Love,

Isaac

Dear Isaac, 

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We’re so happy to see you enjoying the Star Wars LEGO set Aunt Laura got you! And you’re right, we do want you to send her a thank-you note. It’s sweet that you plan to call her on the phone. But it’s important that you take the time to thank her with a letter. 

Nothing can replace a handwritten note. Remember how good it felt to get all those birthday cards in our mailbox? Studies show that getting a letter in the mail makes someone feel loved.

If you take the time to write Aunt Laura a note, she’ll have it forever. She can even stick it on her fridge. Then she’ll be reminded every day that you love her and her gift! 

Think about it. Aunt Laura put in the effort to find the exact present you wanted. Shouldn’t you also put in the effort to thank her with a letter?

With love,

Mom and Dad

We’re so happy to see you enjoying the Star Wars LEGO set! And you’re right, we do want you to send Aunt Laura a thank-you note. It’s sweet that you plan to call her on the phone. But it’s important that you take the time to write a letter.

Nothing can take the place of a handwritten note. Studies show that getting a letter in the mail makes someone feel loved. Aunt Laura will have the note forever. She can even stick it on her fridge. Then she’ll see every day that you love her gift!

Think about it. Aunt Laura put in the effort to find the present you wanted. Shouldn’t you also put in the effort to write her a letter?

With love,

Mom and Dad

What do you think? 

Do you have to write thank-you notes? Go back to the letters and find reasons to support each side of the argument. Write down the information, then study the points on both sides. State your opinion in one sentence, which can be the introduction to an opinion paragraph.

What do you think? 

Do you have to write thank-you notes? Go back to the letters and find reasons to support each side of the argument. Write down the information, then study the points on both sides. State your opinion in one sentence, which can be the introduction to an opinion paragraph.

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Can't Miss Teaching Extras
Use This

Developed in conjunction with the United States Postal Service, our Show Someone You Care lessons will help your students improve their letter writing skills. Students will learn how to write letters of gratitude, letters to elders, letters to pen pals, and more. Be sure to take a look at our letter templates, too!

Get Creative With This

Help your students get artistic with their thank-you notes by using these fun stationery templates. They can choose a design and color it in. Or encourage them to design their own cards!

Foster Gratitude

The Greater Good Science Center’s list of “Gratitude Activities for the Classroom” was written with Thanksgiving in mind, but these ideas are great for any time of the year. 

Additional Resources

Looking for more media to spark conversations about gratitude? Take a look at these lists from Common Sense Media that suggest kids books and movies that will inspire gratitude. They also make great recommendations for families cooped up at home.

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
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1. PREPARING TO READ

Have students preview the text features. Ask:

    What is the topic of the debate? (Prompt students to use the debate title and the     heading on the chart as clues.) 

    What are the two opinions people might have about this topic?

2. READING THE DEBATE

Depending on the reading level of your students, read the debate as a class or break the class into groups.

Have students read the debate a second time. Prompt them to highlight evidence supporting each side as they come across it. Using two different colors of highlighters would be useful here.

3. DISCUSSING

As a class or in groups, have students discuss:

Which opinion has the best evidence to support it?

Is one side stronger than the other? Why?

What is your opinion? What evidence helped you form your opinion?

For more advanced readers: Do you think the author has an opinion on this issue? What is your evidence?

4. WRITING

Have students complete the chart in the magazine or our full-page printable chart (available in your Resources tab in PDF and interactive formats).

Guide students to write an essay on the debate topic, using the chart they filled out.

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