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The Grandparents Day Letters were mailed on September 9th, 10th, and 11th. This was a few days before Grandparents Day, so many of the letters may have reached a mailbox by Grandparents Day which fell on September 13th, 2026. It is also about 1 week before Open House. This is a great opportunity to share the activity and discuss how the letters have been received.
Since the letter is part of a US history class, we will share the responses in chronological order. After several years of completing the activity, a teacher can create a hall of fame of the top responses. We are presenting one year. We never know the direction the activity will take, it is exciting for the students and educators involved.
We will share some thoughts as well.
Sunday September 13th, 2026 (The 1st response)
Text: I received your letter yesterday. I loved it. I love you so much and I’m amazed to have a wonderful granddaughter like you in my life. I adore all the memories you mentioned and more. You’re my favorite and I’m so happy to have a granddaughter like you. I love the handwritten part of it. Tell your teacher that this made my day. I will be sending out my letter today. Have a good day and let me know if you need anything.
Analysis: The 1st response is a great start.
- “I adore all the memories” – The “memories of” part of the assignment serves two purposes: a brainstorming activity for the students and a list for the grandparents to see what the grandchild remembers.
- “I love the handwritten part of it.” The handwritten aspect of the assignment is critical and is not common today.
- “This made my day.” Goal accomplished! The goal was to let someone know they made a difference in your life. When was the last time something made your day?
Monday, September 14th, 2026
Text: Thank you for your lovely letter. What a surprise and what a thoughtful class assignment. I plan to write to my friend who I talked with many years ago. Grandma (1st grade teacher)
Analysis: We “stack the decks.”
- Grandma (1st grade teacher): Grandparents are the people who are most likely to write a handwritten letter, ESPECIALLY if a grandchild asks. We are pretty sure the majority of people who receive the 1st letter will write a second letter.
- “I plan to write to my friend who I talked with many years ago.” We often try to find out who a person will write the next letter too. It helps us understand a little more about how that one simple letter is impacting others.
Text: Your letter is the nicest thing that has happened to me. I can’t stop crying. I love you very much. Nana
Analysis: Double Whammy!
- “Your letter is the nicest thing that has happened to me (in my life is implied)!” OH MY! This one comment makes the entire activity worthwhile.
- “I can’t stop crying.” Goal accomplished.
- “I love you very much.” The students are starting a new chapter in their lives. There is uncertainty and anxiety. Knowing they are loved and supported might go a long way to starting off the school year well.
Text (read by the friend of the studen who received it): OMG! What a beautiful, well-written letter. You captured everything about us!! I’m so happy you have a great bond…. Your letter brought tears to my eyes. I am beyond grateful I have you as my granddaughter. You’re always there when I need you!! I love you so much 🩷🩷🩷
Analysis: We “stack the decks.”
- Text (read by the friend of the studen who received it): The teacher uses a google doc to record the responses. There are a variety of ways to share the text.
- Student reading aloud to the class with the text being shared on the whiteboard. This checks off the public speaking component of the program.
- A friend of the students reads the text aloud.
- The student reads the text after class privately on the teacher’s computer with the whiteboard off.
- “OMG! What a beautiful, well-written letter. You captured everything about us!!” The grandmother is sharing the student put a great effort into the letter and that is “well-written.” Grandma’s don’t lie, especially about the talents of their precious grandchildren. The teacher DOES NOT read the letters before they are pladed in the envelope. The teacher merely looks at the target length 1.5 pages and grades accordingly. This is an EFFORT grade.
- “Your letter brought tears to my eyes. I am beyond grateful I have you as my granddaughter.” Goal accomplished. Students also can learn the meaning of “beyond” grateful.
Text David Smith: Thank you for the letter you sent me. I’ll be responding to your teacher. That is a wonderful project. Aunt (Quincy)
Analysis: Keep It Simple Stupid.
- This shows that the recipients are responding in several different ways. It it a very simple, straightforward response that also reaffirms the value of the project.
Email Monday, September 14th 10:59 AM: We were pleasantly surprised and pleased to receive this letter from our grandson Will. It meant a lot to us to see that he thought so much of us. We think this is a nice assignment that lets people know how you feel about them. It is also nice to receive a written letter in the mail!
Analysis: We love the element of surprise!
- People rarely expect to get a handwritten letter in the mail, especially from a young teenager.
Email Monday, September 14th, 2026 5:01 PM
Dear Teacher,
What a wonderful surprise to receive a thank you letter from my granddaughter! I think this is such a thoughtful assignment. I plan to Write It Forward in the next few days. Thank you for encouraging your students to express their gratitude.
Analysis: This points out that many students will express gratitude, something many students have difficulty expressing.
Email Monday, September 14th, 2026 5:01 PM 5:08 PM
Dear Teacher,
Thank you for giving my grandson the opportunity to write me such a thoughtful letter for Grandparents Day. It was very special to receive, and it brought a big smile to my face.
I truly appreciate the time and effort you put into making this a meaningful project for the students and their grandparents.
It was a wonderful surprise and something I will treasure.
Thank you again for helping create such a special memory. Warmly, [Grandma]
Analysis:
- “Thank you for giving my grandson the opportunity to write me such a thoughtful letter for Grandparents Day.” We never really thought of the activity as allowing the student to write a letter, but we do know nearly all the students would not choose to send a handwritten letter out of the blue to a grandparent.
- “[The letter] is something I will treasure.” This is a common response that the letter will be treasured. This is a concrete example of a grandchild’s appreciation. It is also positive for the student who has created something that will be treasured. In a sense, the letter itself is a treasure.
Monday, September 14, 9:11 PM
I received my letter from my grandson. I just want you to know that I cried for quite a while. You hope you are making an impact on their lives as a grandmother. After receiving my letter I can say he truly appreciates everything I have done for him and that has made my life complete. So thank you. [grandmother]
Analysis:
- “I just want you to know that I cried for quite a while.” This letter clearly touched the recipient deeply. It is nice to know that a few of the letters impact people at a deeper level.
- “After receiving my letter I can say he truly appreciates everything I have done for him and that has made my life complete.” Many of the letters are confirmation for grandparents who may be questioning the impact they are having on a grandchild.
- “and that has made my life complete.” WOW! The simple words of a freshman student on the first days of school have made a person’s life complete. This is a little overwhelming to process.
Tuesday, September 15th, 2026 10:12 AM
As the recipient of this letter from my granddaughter, it certainly had such an overwhelming and positive impact on me. We as a family always kiss each other with a kiss hello and kiss each other along with the words “I love You” as a good-bye. Sometimes we might ask ourselves what actually defines those words that they speak. Well to me to see it put in writing sent me in a wonderful place in terms how very special and uplifting those words and thoughts meant to me. Speaking from a grandmother’s perspective, this activity which in my opinion will hopefully teach the students how a very simple and sincere note can go along way! I am willing to bet the majority of us who were recipients of these letters – especially from these very special kids – shed some very happy and very proud tears! I certainly did! Keep up the good work! Proud Grandmother
Analysis:
- “it certainly had such an overwhelming and positive impact on me.” Strong words of how the letter impacted the recipient.
- “to see it put in writing sent me in a wonderful place in terms how very special and uplifting those words and thoughts meant to me.”
- “this activity which in my opinion will hopefully teach the students how a very simple and sincere note can go along way! I am willing to bet the majority of us who were recipients of these letters – especially from these very special kids – shed some very happy and very proud tears! I certainly did!” Mission accomplished. More tears of joy!
Tuesday September 15th 3:05 PM (5 hours ago)
Dear Teacher
I received my letter today Tuesday and I was very happy to receive a letter from my grandson expressing his thoughts, he would always tell me he love me and shows his appreciation for what I do but I am very happy that was a very nice thing that the class did and I will cherish the letter for the rest of my life. Thank you for a great suggestion.
Grandma
Analysis:
- “I will cherish the letter for the rest of my life.” It doesn’t get much better than this. A treasure!
Wednesday September 16th, 2026
Wednesday September September 16th, 2026 9:34 AM
I received a letter of appreciation from my grandson, it meant the world to me.😊 I forwarded my letter of appreciation to someone very special to me. Thank you for doing this 😊
Analysis:
- “it meant the world to me.😊” This is very impressive. How often does something mean the world to anyone.
- “I forwarded my letter of appreciation to someone very special to me.” We know with the additional letter, we are one step closer to receiving a complete form. VERY quick turnaround time from receiving the letter to sending out the next one.
- “Thank you for doing this.” It is nice as a teacher to be thanked, but it really is the students completing a simple assignment that also allows a teacher to transition from summer to school.
Email Wednesday, September 16th 4:49 PM
Receiving a handwritten letter from my grandson today was such an honor and wonderful surprise! It meant so much to me and his Grandpa. As I was reading it, I began to feel “a little misty!” (an expression from the 60’s) I was so pleased that my grandson holds on to the memories we have made together. Even though I was a music teacher for 40 years and have become a photographer in the last 11 years, family memories are the legacy which I hope will stay with him and his brother. I always make a photo book of our extended trips so that each of them will have a something to help them remember our relationship and the experiences we have shared.
I have already decided I will be writing to my cousin as I continue “Write it Forward.” I think this is a wonderful project, especially during these digital days. I commend you on your creativity! Thank you for your efforts on behalf of and all of your students. I appreciate your dedication and support that young people need, particularly these days. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you or your class.
Sincerely,
Grandma
PS I am sending a hard copy of this through the mail.
Analysis
- “Receiving a handwritten letter from my grandson today was such an honor and wonderful surprise! It meant so much to me and his Grandpa…I began to feel “a little misty!” (an expression from the 60’s)” The goal is to write a letter that has an impact on the recipient. In many cases, that means bringing the person to tears. I think the outdated expression of feeling “misty” falls under this category.
- “I have already decided I will be writing to my cousin as I continue “Write it Forward.” Continuing on with the assignment is another goal and clearly the intention is to write to the cousin.
Email Monday September 16, 2026 6:24 PM
Hello
I am a recipient of a letter from my granddaughter. I wanted to share with you the profound impact the letter, and the timing of the letter, had on me. Saturday night I was celebrating my Sister’s birthday with her family and all my siblings. We lost her in February to cancer at age 64 and we all wanted to be together on her birthday. As the night went on, I was feeling a little sad watching my sister’s 3 beautiful grandchildren ages 3, 1 and 4 months. My sister was a 2nd grade teacher and loved children so she was looking forward to being a Nana. She would have loved every minute of being a grandmother and it just seems like she, and the children, got so robbed. Coming home after feeling lots of love from her family I was very emotional. Walking into my house I grabbed my mail, and I noticed there was a letter from my granddaughter. As I read the letter, tears filled up in my eyes because I felt so grateful, so extremely grateful for the time I have had with my beautiful grandchildren. In her letter Victoria thanked me and her grandfather for all the memories we have made over the years, and it made me take a moment to reflect on how truly blessed I am. I wanted to share with you how the timing of the letter made the content of the message even more heartfelt. The idea of telling people how much you appreciate them when you can, before they are gone, is a great lesson for your students to learn about life and the message may come at a time when that person really needs to hear it. Appreciate every person in your life and be grateful for the time you have with them. I am looking forward to making many more memories with my grandchildren and my sister Anne’s grandchildren.
Thank you for doing this great project with the kids and thank you for creating a special moment and memory for me.
Elaine Barden
Aka—NANA
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 7:52 AM
Good morning!! I am currently working on my letter and wanted to let you know I love the idea of this!!! Made me reflect and think of all the special moments I share with my person. There were definitely more I could have chosen but there is always that special person! I hope you get a great response from this!! 2nd letter to a parent’s mom
Analysis
- “I am currently working on my letter and wanted to let you know I love the idea of this!!! Made me reflect and think of all the special moments I share with my person.” Affirmation that people do like the idea, and when presented with an opportunity to write a special person, they willingly accept.
September 22, 2026 9:18 AM
Dear Teacher,
My husband and I were beyond thrilled when we received the letter composed by my granddaughter, regarding the difference we’ve made in her life.
I have the privilege and honor of being a grandmother and have been involved in babysitting weekly since she was born. She has developed into the smartest, kindest and most loving young lady right before my eyes. We are extremely proud of her.
As I read the letter out loud to my husband, tears were streaming down my face. To deeply realize, through her words, the difference we have made in her life was quite astounding!!! It truly made our hearts so full and happy! For her to remember things from way back when she was little, it really was awesome!
This written project that you presented to the children was extremely wonderful. I’m sure many grandparents were beaming with pride, as we were. I just cannot begin to tell you how happy you’ve made us, and I truly look forward to meeting you one day.
As the children get older, they seem to not need us as much, especially to “babysit” them, but this has truly made us feel so loved knowing the positive impact and difference that both my husband and I have made.
A very special and heartfelt thanks to YOU, Mr. Molloy, for also being a positive influence in Mari’s life and her favorite teacher at the high school!
Sincerely
“Mana and Popo”
Analysis
- “As I read the letter out loud to my husband, tears were streaming down my face. To deeply realize, through her words, the difference we have made in her life was quite astounding!!! It truly made our hearts so full and happy! For her to remember things from way back when she was little, it really was awesome!” This is an incredible response. It obviously had a positive impact and was very moving.
- “I just cannot begin to tell you how happy you’ve made us, and I truly look forward to meeting you one day.” Although this is a very personal activity, and a person hoping to meet the teacher is quite impressive.
Thursday September 24th, 2026 1:07 PM
Dear Teacher,
What a great idea- this project!!! So appreciated the letter from our Grandson.
How many times do we say thank you, or just think about people who impact our lives, our family, church or community??
We send Thank you’s for gifts or special efforts people make on our behalf. But this is different – a letter of Appreciation.
We were trying to decide who we would send our letter of appreciation to- there were so many people. We plan to send a few more written letters, not texts or emails – love the handwritten letter or note, it can be saved & opened to be enjoyed again & again!
Very thoughtful project. Thank you!
Analysis
- “What a great idea- this project!!! So appreciated the letter from our Grandson.” This is affirmation that the students are putting in a great effort and the grandparents see value in the activity.
- “We plan to send a few more written letters, not texts or emails – love the handwritten letter or note, it can be saved & opened to be enjoyed again & again!” We have converted to more people to the belief that ONE LETTER CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Monday, September 28, 3:03 PM
I wanted to send off a brief note of appreciation. The project you and your students have undertaken is noteworthy (pun intended).
Hopefully, your students will gain reinforcement of at least two important lessons to humankind. The first, the importance of kind words. The second, the significance and lasting impact of seeing those words in writing and to hold those words in your hand. There continues to be a special energy of seeing a personal letter in the mail, knowing that someone took time from their busy days to write a letter, to share their thoughts.
Thank you
Analysis
- “The project you and your students have undertaken is noteworthy (pun intended).” It is nice that someone in the world sees this activity as being noteworthy.
- Hopefully, your students will gain reinforcement of at least two important lessons to humankind. The first, the importance of kind words. The second, the significance and lasting impact of seeing those words in writing and to hold those words in your hand. There continues to be a special energy of seeing a personal letter in the mail, knowing that someone took time from their busy days to write a letter, to share their thoughts.” Real affirmation in the power of a handwritten letter as something that will be valued and treasure.
Over the years translating the directions to a different language would have been a tedious process which could take several hours for some students.
This project can be continued at Thanksgiving or at other points during the school year.