LESSONS OF THANKSGIVING
I don't know about you, but I am a big fan of OBJECT LESSONS. Often I would sit down with my 4 young (and not so young) cubs and we would discuss why they were grateful, how to live a thankful life and ways they could give back. I was always looking for object lessons to help my cause and back in "the good ol' days" would have to rely on the library because the internet, Pinterest, etc. was not available to us mommas.
Back then we had to rely on the "good old fashioned" word of mouth.
Now, it is different, we have a world of ideas at our fingerprints.
I want to share three object lessons that may help you as you teach your kids/grandkids/nieces/nephews
what Thanksgiving represents and the importance of being grateful.
Here's a cliff note history lesson to get started:
In the early 1600's, a group known as the Separatists lived in England. They were people who wanted to worship God, study the Bible and pray, but the English laws did not allow the Separatists to worship as they desired. They were to follow the laws or be silent.
Secretly they worshiped, despite English laws. They were hunted down, tormented, and locked up for many months because they continued to worship as they chose.
Eventually, they heard about freedom of religion in Holland, and planned to escape. After much hardship, England decided to let them leave.
Now called Pilgrims, they lived in Holland for 12 years, but left because they couldn't stand the hard life, and couldn't work their own trades. They wanted to find a Kingdom of God for their posterity to practice religion freely.
They had had enough, so they hired the Speedwell and the Mayflower to carry them across the Atlantic to a new land in America.
The Speedwell had many leaks and had to turn back. The Mayflower took in their passengers, making their total passenger list over 100. The Mayflower was only 90 feet long and had three levels. They sailed a total of two months and three days, cramped and hungry.
On November 11, 1620 the Mayflower spotted land. They landed in Province town, Massachusetts. For over a month, they sent crew of men to find the perfect place for them to build their colony. When they finally found a place, they called it Plymouth.
Right away they started building homes and a Common house to meet in, knowing that winter was near.
Unfortunately, a violent storm hit when the houses were not yet finished. The Pilgrims were forced to stay on the cramped Mayflower for their first winter in the new world. After this winter was over, over half of them had died.
The Pilgrims eventually made a good friend who helped them. His name was Squanto. He showed them where fish swam, how to hunt deer, and showed them how to plant corn. Squanto lived with the Pilgrims for the rest of his life.
Squanto was a Native American from the Wampanoag tribe. He was kidnaped earlier in his life and taken to England. This is why he was able to communicate with the Pilgrims. His friend Samoset also spoke English.
Translating for Massasoit, the Wampanoag chief, and other tribe members, a peace treaty was made between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans that lasted for fifty years.
With the help of the Native Americans, there was plenty for everyone to eat that first summer, and there was also plenty to last for the next winter.
The Pilgrims had so much to be thankful for. They gave thanks for good friends, new homes, freedom of religion, and plenty of food in a three day celebration with their Native American friends.
Today we continue the celebration of the Pilgrims and the Native Americans, and call it Thanksgiving.
OBJECT LESSON IDEA #1:
Showing Gratitude:
Sit with your kiddos in a half circle and discuss with them the different things that they are grateful for. Then lead the discussion into the things they thought the pilgrims might have been thankful for, and why they were thankful for them.
After teaching history of Thanksgiving, give your kiddos each a large piece of paper and crayons and have them fold their paper in half, on one side they will draw what they are thankful for, then on the other side they will draw what the pilgrims or Indians were thankful for.
Close with a discussion about the various things that they drew - and why.
This lesson offers a great opportunity to discuss that we all need to be thankful for what we have, and we should not take for granted what we have.
Focus on what the pilgrims and Indians had to do in order to survive, and then discuss how those things come easily for us.
OBJECT LESSON IDEA #2:
Five Kernels of Corn
Your kiddos will understand how the Pilgrims had to suffer through a long hard winter and what it takes to be thankful for what they have.
Materials needed:
Canned corn
Paper plates
Five grains of corn article from "The Glory of the Sun" by Sterling W. Sill
Give each of your kiddos 5 kernels of corn each and explain to them that this is all they get for the entire day, so they may want to save some of it.
After a few minutes, tell your kiddos that they really will get their regular lunch, but you wanted them to experience what it was like for the pilgrims.
Summarize the story of the five kernels of corn by explaining your kids how at one time this was all the Pilgrims had to eat - per person - per day.
Talk to them about being grateful for what we have.
Tell them to remember how the Pilgrims suffered, and that they had the first Thanksgiving after their first successful harvest - to show gratitude for what they had been given.
This is an opportunity to have your kiddos write down 5 things they are thankful for and remember to have them share their worksheets to see what kinds of things they are thankful for. If they have put things like toys, sports, money, etc. then they haven't gotten the point!
Make sure to discuss what kinds of things the Pilgrims were grateful for, like food, clothing, homes, etc.
I Am Most Grateful For These Five Blessings
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
OBJECT LESSON IDEA #3
The Wampanoag Indians Helped the Pilgrims
Your kiddo will be able to recognize the hardships the Pilgrims faced when trying to adjust to a new and different environment and lifestyle and will be able to describe some of the natural resources the Wampanoag Indians showed to the Plymouth settlers.
Materials:
Chart paper
Squanto and the First Thanksgiving by Teresa Celsi
Picture books showing the way the Pilgrims lived
If handy around the house, various vegetables, seeds, tools, etc. for your kiddos to explore
Discuss with your kiddos what life was like for the Pilgrims that first year when they arrived in Plymouth. Great for discussion about shelter, food, clothing, feelings, health, etc.
Remind your kiddos that the Pilgrims had been living in cities in London where there were shops, doctors, and other goods and services.
Suggested article: Squanto and the First Thanksgiving. Can ask your kids "What did the Wampanoag Indians teach the Pilgrims?"
If possible, have your kids explore vegetables, seeds, tools and utensils that the Pilgrims may have used.
The main point of this lesson is to help your kids understand the hardships the Pilgrims faced and how the Wampanoag Indians helped the them.
Please share your ideas ~
Happy Thanksgiving!
