Historical & Family Values
November 11 – Veterans day
4th Thursday – Thanksgiving day
Who are Veterans?
- November 11 is the day to honor and remember veterans who served and are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. There are five branches in the Armed Forces: Army; Navy; Marine Corps; Air Forces; Coast Guards.
- The theme of veterans has a direct connection to the family values: you might have people such as family members, relatives, grandparents who are serving or served in the army. And their stories or even old photographs can make a huge contribution to your child/student development.
Reveal Your Family Traditions
Thanksgiving day is one of the richest theme in the yearly school curriculum. It reveals endless amount of significant topics for lesson activities. Discovering family values and traditions is one of the favorite. We inhibit traditions, some sort of family morality, from our parents and close caregivers: we copy their behavior, reactions, gestures, tone of voice. The best way to share family values is to talk to your child, so if you use this theme in your unit, you should have some families involvement. For example, ask parents to create a family tree with photos or drawing portraits; share a family hobby; share a favorite recipe, etc.
History of Thanksgiving
Children love to play Indians and Pilgrims. This is the most joyful activity of the month that may include dancing, competitions, games, etc. Depending on the age of your children, you may introduce it in different formats: whole group discussion, set up table for Thanksgiving with plastic toy food, art with hats/bonnets and headbands, dress up yourself in a costume of an Indian or a pilgrim and share with children your story of the first Thanksgiving day.
November Food
The first image that comes to mind about Thanksgiving celebration is a table full of food with a roasted turkey. Types of food is an excellent idea for all lesson activities: vocabulary (songs about food, flash cards games), math & logic (compare, sort, measure), science (taste, turkey recipe), art, dramatic play, etc.
