12 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 5

Days of Thanksgiving

I've always loved these ideas that extend through multiple days to celebrate the holiday seasons (did you catch my 13 Days of Halloween posts?). This year I found ideas for the 12 Days of Thanksgiving and I couldn't resist sharing them with you. The ideas in this post came from a very vintage magazine called Copycat Press from 1990 (which just doesn't feel like it should be labeled very vintage, but I suppose that's because I am very vintage myself!) 

The ideas are centered around using the poetry from It's Thanksgiving by Jack Prelutsky. I didn't have this book in our Club library, but I did find a few versions of read alouds online. Here's the one that includes the entire book (which is helpful since you'll use different poems each day).

Fifth Day of Thanksgiving
Have the kids read silently the poem "I Went Hungry On Thanksgiving." Then have the group create some language experience stories. Ask members to tell about a time when they were incredibly hungry and couldn't stop eating. Members should describe the sights and smells and their reaction to them when they experienced these feelings of fullness or hunger. Have the class read their stories. Compare and contrast the feelings.

Note: Be aware of childhood hunger and the fact that not all of the kids in your care come from families where there is no shortage of food. If you have concerns with this activity possibly causing children to feel left out, you might alter the activity to have members think of a time where they wanted to do something, but could not because of circumstances they couldn't control - for example, a trip that was canceled due to weather or a missed party because of the flu.

Click on the image above to be taken to a larger image of the poem. I created this printable with graphics purchased from EduClips (<-- and there's the link in case you want to purchase some of her awesome work). You're welcome to use this in your Clubs, classrooms, or any kind of after school program. If you share it with others, please share my blog as well. Thank you!