Middle School and High School students have participated in holiday troop support for the last six years.
- Each student creates one card.
- Starting before Thanksgiving going over key words they can use in their cards and card designs.
- A patriotic card using the U.S. flag
- A card that reflects their state
- A card that reflects their school spirit
- A holiday motif
- Use heavy card paper, glitter, buttons, sequins, all kinds of colored pens and crayons and other
supplies such as cotton for snow etc.
- Stress the idea that they are sending the troops cheer and smiles.
- The lesson for the letter begins with "how to write a formal letter." The form of a letter is shown
using an over-head projector
- Discuss things the students can use for their message.
- A bubble map for a letter outline asking students to simply talk about themselves; their families,
their town, school, pets, favorite subject in school, send a joke, their activities such as football.
- Explain that they need to thank the service member for their service to our country. Key words
we talk about are "hero, patriotic service, independence, liberty, bravery, commitment etc.
- Students can add their candy canes on the front of the card or the inside. Punch holes in the
card, thread a red or green ribbon through the holes and then attach the cane with a little bow.
- For younger children, it is suggested that teachers enlist parent volunteer help.
Prepared by Ida Hägg, Director of Adopt A Platoon and Texas public school teacher.
Operation Holiday Smile Teachers Guide
