Pilgrims, and Indians, and Turkeys.....OH MY!

Last week we talked about how Thanksgiving came to be, and what things we are thankful for. We learned of the pilgrims who came to America for religious freedom, and of the Native Americans who helped them survive.

We made these picture scenes from Oriental Trading where we recreated the scene of the First Thanksgiving.

The sand table was filled with popcorn and in it the kids found miniature food items. These items were things that they may have had during that time. 

We used a rock and a hard surface to grind corn into cornmeal just like the Native Americans used to do. This was a lot of fun. We probably wouldn't think that if we had to do it often as a necessity though!

We also had this center below that the kids could visit to try a cornbread muffin. They could also put some butter on it which was make by them! We shook whipping cream, like they are doing below, until it whipped into butter!

       We made a vest and a headband to dress as they dressed.

We had fun with these stamps that were in the shape of fall leaves, Indians, Pilgrims, pumpkins and more. We colored them different colors with washable markers and stamped them on our papers. I always feel bad because some kids always forget to take home their papers when they visit centers. So, just because your child didn't bring home a paper doesn't mean they didn't make one.

For a math center we gave turkeys some feathers. Each turkey had a number on the inside of the cup, and the kids added that number of feathers to the turkeys back.

And, for a letter recognition center we went fishing for turkeys and marked off the letter on their belly on our turkey sheet. I guess I didn't get any pictures of the kids at that center.

I am so thankful for your children. They bring me so much joy. I'm thankful for the time I get to spend with them and for the things that they do and say to make me laugh and smile!