Thanksgiving week was short but definitely sweet!  The students brought in everything from talking turkeys to actual turkey delimeat at lunchtime!

On Monday, the students constructed beautiful decorative turkey puppets using feathers and construction paper.  The students could hardly wait to try the turkeys on and start gobbling away!

Later in the afternoon, we discussed the story of Thanksgiving by reading Bethany Roberts, Thanksgiving Mice.  In the story, some English Pilgrim mice set out on a long boat ride over to America.  Unfortunately for the mice, the long boat ride takes a real toll on the mice as many of the mice fall ill.  Just as the mice thought their luck was running out, one mouse shouted, “LAND!”  The mice rushed to land but it was a cold winter and things were not looking up for the mice.  The mice braved the harsh winter and the springtime finally came and then they made friends with some mice from America.  The story detailed the events of the first Thanksgiving in a fun and friendly way that the students really enjoyed.

On Tuesday, the teachers led a discussion about the first Thanksgiving with people this time, not mice!  View the video to see one student describing the events leading up to the first Thanksgiving.

After learning all about the story of Thanksgiving, the students had an opportunity to transform into Pilgrims and Native Americans themselves.  The most identifiable feature of a Pilgrim and a Native American would be their headwear.  The students used a black hat with a gold buckle to transform into a Pilgrim and a brown construction paper “leather” headdress with feathers to transform into a Native American.  The projects were not only fun but adorable!

Later in the afternoon, the students learned a silly Thanksgiving song and also discussed the various reasons that people were thankful for (which made for a great bulletin board).

Five Little Turkeys

Five little turkeys by the barn door,
One waddled off, then there were four.
Four little turkeys out under the tree,
One waddled off, then there were three.
Three little turkeys with nothing to do,
One waddles off, then there were two.
Two little turkeys in the noonday sun,
One waddled off, then there was one.
One little turkey – better run away!
Soon will come Thanksgiving Day.

On Wednesday, the students had an opportunity to choose whether they would like to be a pilgrim or a Native American.  Depending on their choice, the students either created a pilgrim hat, or a Native American headdress.

The students wore their hats/headdresses around the classroom proudly throughout the morning.  It was particularly sweet to see them all sitting together “feasting” at snack time just like long ago.

The staff at Park Prep would like to take this time to say that we are thankful for all of the wonderful students and families currently (and formerly) enrolled in our school.  We look forward to making many more memories together and wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday.  See you next week!

-PPA