Bean Candle Holders
Submitted by Kris
Candle holders: Use bulk dried mixed beans, mix in white glue, pour
into a Dixie cup to the depth you want. Immediately make a hole
(with pencil maybe?) in the center and add the candle. firm down
the beans. Let dry, then peel cup off. The glue dries clear,
but makes the beans shiny and attractive.
Or I've also made a Pilgrim man with 2 styrofoam coffee cups. Paint outside
of one cup all black. Paint outside of other cup 1/2 black and 1/2 tan
to resemble hair and face of a man. Cut a black circle bigger than the
top of the cup for a hat brim. Cut a white square notched out to resemble
a collar. Assemble with collar on the bottom, then cup painted 1/2 black
and 1/2 tan, tan side toward the collar notch, bottom of cup glued on white collar. Then
glue on black circle. Then glue upside-down black cup for hat. Add
buckle if desired, and face. Cute!
Pumpkin Butter recipe:
Submitted by mary
You will need: 2 cups cooked pumpkin, 1 cup molasses, 1 tsp.
cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. nutmeg, 1/2 tsp. ginger, 1/4 tsp. cloves
Cook all ingredients, stirring all the time, until thick and buttery.
We helped the kids cut cornbread with a pumpkin cookie cutter then
spread the pumpkin butter on top. Most of them liked the taste,
we were wondering how they would like the mixture of strong flavors.
Wear a Feather (Tune: Allouette)
Submitted by Suzi
Wear a feather, anywhere a feather
Wear a feather anywhere at all!
Can you wear it on your ______ (body part)?
We can wear it on our ______ !
On our _____ , on our ______.
Oh oh oh oh!
Repeat with other body parts.
Then you can use the feathers to decorate a large turkey shape on the wall!
Gobble, Gobble,
Ritz cracker Turkeys
Submitted by Janis
For this tasty snack ou will need the following:
ritz crackers
ritz bitz with peanut butter
M&M's
candy corn
peanut butter
To make the turkey, spread peanut butter on the ritz cracker. Put
the ritz bitz down at the bottom and cover it with peanut butter.
Use 2 brown M&M's for eyes that go at the top of the ritz bitz.
Put one candy corn point out at the botom of the eyes for the beak.
Behind the head,place 4 colored M&M's in a pattern, such as red,
yellow, red, yellow.Then add a candy corn on each side of the head
for the feet.
Delicioous! Messy, but they love it.
CANDY CORN ART
Submitted by Rebecca
Two ideas to share in a row. Noone is busier than I but it
is really pretty quick to share an idea now that I am actually doing
it!!
We do a VERY simple art project for "C" week. (I teach K) We
cut out a candy corn shape from white construction paper and then tear
(had to teach them how!) yellow and orange paper and glue it on to
make a "c"andy "c"orn. Great for fine motor and of course, we
had to have the real thing to look at for example!
THANSGIVING IDEAS
Submitted by Teri
Bread in a Bag
I haven't tried this yet but it sounds fun!
2 C. flour
1 package Fleischman's Rapid Rise yeast
3 T. sugar
3 T. nonfat dry milk
1 t. salt
1 C. hot water
3 T. oil
1 C. whole wheat flour
In a 1-gallon, heavy-duty freezer bag combine:
1 C. flour, undissolved yeast, dry milk, and salt.
Force air from bag and shake to blend ingredients.
Add hot water and oil and reseal bag.
Mix by working with fingers.
Add whole-wheat flour, reseal and mix.
Gradually add enough remaining flour to make stiff dough that pulls
away
from the bag.
On floured surface knead dough 2-4 times until smooth and elastic.
Cover dough with towel, rest 10 minutes.
Roll dough to 12x7-inch rectangle.
Roll up from narrow end.
Pinch edges and ends to seal.
Place in oiled loaf pan
Place 9x13 pan on counter; fill with boiling water. Place cookie sheet on
top of 9x13 pan and place loaf pan on the cookie sheet. Cover with towel.
Let dough rise 20 minutes or until double in size. Bake at 375 for 25
minutes or until done.
Snack
We made friendship fruit salad last week. Each child brought in a piece of
fruit. We cut them up, mixed and added cool whip. It was yummy!
Friendship Soup
· Potatoes, onions, celery
· Canned tomatoes, carrots, mixed vegetables
· Beef broth cubes
· Package of noodles
· Crockpot
· Large stirring spoon, plastic knives, mixing bowls,
vegetable brush, can opener
· Pan of water
Send home an assigned list of food that each child will bring. Plan
extra in case someone forgets. Let each child show the food he or she
brought. Ask each one: “Is this enough for all of us?” Tell
children: “If we all share the food and cook it together, there
will be enough for all.” Let children chop and prepare vegetables
for the soup. Teachers should open the cans of food. Allow each child
to take turns adding food to the soup in a cool Crockpot. Turn the
Crockpot on and allow soup to cook following directions. Read or tell
the story Stone Soup. Serve the food for snacks. Talk about what happens
when everyone shares.
Salt Biscuits or Hardtack
1 c. flour
1 t. salt
1 t. sugar
2 T. water
Mix this together. It should look like pie crust. You may need to add little
more or less water. Roll it out thin and cut it into squares about
the size of Cheese Nips. Poke holes in each square with a clean nail
or a fork. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees
for 15 min or until the edges are brown.
Have A Friendship Feast.
Each year, I go to my local bakery and purchase a three foot long loaf
of bread. I ask each child to bring in one topping for a friendship
sandwich. (turkey, cheese, tomatoes, mayonnaise etc) On the day of
the feast, each child gets to come to the table and add his topping
to the sandwich until the meal is complete. We add chips and fruit
and invite parents to join us. This is a lesson in cooperation and
sharing.
Dramatiuc Play
Re-enact the Mayflower Voyage
Put a large blanket on the floor and invite all of the children to climb on
board the Mayflower. Lead them through a pretend voyage. You will need spray
bottles and a fan to simulate a storm. Don't forget to bring along a snack.
Art
Deer Skin Placemats
If you crumple, wrinkle and twist a grocery bag over and over again it will
begin to look like deer skin. The Indians brought five deer with them to share
with the Pilgrims. Cut grocery bags into flat, rectangular shapes an
encourage the children to crumple and twist them. Then, let the children use
Q-tips to paint on the placemats with Fall colors. When the placemats are dry,
you can laminate them for durability or leave them natural.
FIVE TURKEYS GOBBLING
Submitted by Shellie of the KOS Loop
Five turkeys gobbling at Farmer Brown's door
One flew away and then there were four
Four turkeys gobbling at Farmer Brown's tree
One hopped the fence and then there were three
THree turkeys gobbling at the Moo Cow Moo
One went to play and then there were two
Two turkeys gobbling at he bright November sun
One went to sleep and then there was one.
One turkey gobbling, was he trying to say?
"I'm coming to visit you Thanksgiving Day."
MR. TURKEY
(tune Frere Jacques)
Mr. Turkey, Mr. Turkey
Run away, run away.
If you are not careful
You will be a mouthful
Thanksgiving day Thanksgiving day.
NO COOKING SNACKS
Submitted by Regina of the KOS Loop
I received these two no cook ideas from a friend at work.
Cornacopia
need: box of Bugles, marshmallow fluff, Trix cereal
procedure: roll or spread marshmallow fluff on the bugle then
roll in trix cereal. It's very simple and turns out really cute.
Turkey
need: round crackers (Ritz), vanilla frosting, hershey's
hisses (1 per turkey), candy corn
procedure: Spread frosting on 1 side of cracker. Place unwrapped
kiss on bottom part of cracker (it will stick on the icing). Put candy
corns around top half of cracker on icing as the feathers. Put 1 candy
corn right above kiss as the head. (optional) carmel square can be added
on the back with some frosting to make the turkey stand up.
Both are very easy for the children to do all by themself and they love eating
it when they are done. Hope you and your class enjoys!
Albuquerque Turkey tune: "Oh My Darling Clementine"
Submitted by Kristi of the KOS Loop
Albuquerque is a turkey
And he's feathered and he's fine
He's my Albuquerque turkey
And he's absolutely mine.
He's the best pet you could get yet
Better than a dog or cat
He's my Albuquerque turkey
And I'm awfully proud of that
And my Albuquerque turkey
Is so happy in his bed
'Cause for our Thanksgiving dinner
We had__________________instead!! (Have kids substitute different dishes
here)
THANKSGIVING UNIT
Following cross-curricular ideas submitted by Peg of the KOS Loophummingbirded@houston.rr.com
Movement
Read the following poem and let the children act out the movements
Great big giant cornstalk
Growing in the sun
Ripe juicy ears of corn
Let's pick some
Juicy tender yellow corn
Put it in the pot
Pout in the water -
Cook it till its hot
Juicy tender sweet corn
Ready on the plate
Is it time for dinner?
I can't wait!
Five Turkeys
Five big turkeys sitting on the gate,
The first one said "Its getting late."
CHORUS:
Gobble, gobble, gobble,
Fat turkeys, fat turkeys.
Gobble, gobble, gobble,
Fat turkeys are we.
The second one said "Who goes there?"
CHORUS
The third on esaid "There are farmers everywhere."
CHORUS
The fourth one said " Let's run, run, run!"
CHORUS
The fifth one said "It's just Thanksgiving fun!"
CHORUS
Five fat turkeys are we
We slept in a tree
When the cook came around
We couldn't be found
And that's why we're here you see!
Thanksgiving Children
This may be done as spoken verse and fingerplay. It can also be adapted
to the tune "Up On the Housetop", and used with finger puppets.
5 little children on Thanksgiving Day -
The first one said, "I'd like cake if I may."
The second one said, "I'd like turkey roasted
|The third one said, "I'd like chestnuts toasted."
The fourth one said, "I'd like pumpkin pie."
The fifth one said, "Oh, so would I!"
But befor they ate the turkey or dressing
Five little children said the Thanskgiving blessing.
MATH
Compare corn items: Set out a variety of corn items for the children
to toiuch and compare. For example, you might include corn stalks,
ears of fresh corn, dried Indian corn, popcorn kernaels, popped popcorn,
canned corn, cornmeal, cornflakes, and corn chips.
Let them sort these items with ice tongs.
SCIENCE
Sprouting corn: Place dirt in a small zip lock bag. Add water and a
few kernaels of popcorn. Seal the bag and hang in sunny window. The
popcorn kernels will begin to sprout in about a week.
Sprouting Indian Corn: Get an ear of Indian Corn and place entire
ear in rectagular pyrex dish with just enough water to cover bottom
of dish. Put in sunny place. Corn will sprout in about a week. Provide
magnifying glass for close inspection. As corn sprouts some of the
kernels fall of - these are great because it provides the children
with opportunity to actually handle the sprouting corn and look at
it closely.
The Turkey With The Terrible Temper
Submitted by Regan of the KOS loop
-I used the different colors of felt and cut my turkeys out on the
Ellison Press and cut the feathers individually:
Once there was a little BROWN TURKEY who had a TERRIBLE TEMPER. He
often flew into rages and ranted around until he was a nuisance in the farm
yard.
One day he lost his temper about some little thing and got so angry he flew
into a rage and went RED as a beet. The other turkeys laughed at him and said:
You're RED, RED
RED as a BEET:
RED from your head
To the tip of your feet.
Tom Turkey didn't like anyone or anything so he ran away and hid. He sat and
sulked for a long time. When he calmed down and came out of his hiding place
he was really RED all over. His head was RED and his neck was RED- he was RED
from head to his feet.
He hurried to the edge of the farm to visit Dr. Owl how was wise and knew all
the answers to everything.
"You will have to learn to control that temper of your's!" hooted Dr. Owl. " If
you don't remember in time you will end up being a very sorry turkey."
The next morning Tom Turkey was brown again except that he had a red feather
in his tail. He was very glad to be brown again, but he still thought it was
everybody else's fault that he gotten so angry the day before.
Tom's mother called him to help with the Monday wash. But Tom got the BLUES
as soon as he started working. He moaned and groaned until his mother said
he was acting like a baby. You can guess what happened next- he lost his temper
again. This time he went BLUE ALL OVER! As he was running away to hide all
the other turkeys yelled:
You're BLUE, BLUE
From your head to your toe,
BLUE all over
wherever you go.
This time Tom Turkey sat and sulked and blamed his mother for losing his temper.
By morning he was BROWN again but now he had a blue feather next to the red
one in his tail.
You can guess what happened the rest of the week. On Tuesday Tom didn't want
to clean up the yard. He said he hated cleaning up with a PURPLE passion. Just
as soon he had said he was in a rage he turned PURPLE all over. The Turkeys
shouted:
You're PURPLE< PURPLE
That's all we can see,
You'd better go hide
Under your favorite tree.
Of course Tom Turkey sat and sulked and blamed everything onto to everyone
else.
On Wednesday morning he was BROWN again but he had a PURPLE tail feather
added to his the RED and BLUE one. He was beginning to feel ashamed that he
couldn't control himself when he wanted to.
He went out for a walk when he saw a big ear of corn that his turkey friend
was eating. Tom was GREEN with envy. He thought the farmer had no right to
give someone else the cob of corn. And before he knew it he had turned GREEN
all over, and was in another terrible temper tantrum. The turkeys all turned
on him and yelled:
You're GREEN, GREEN
GREEN as the grass
Why don't you get wise
And stop all the sass.
And of course again, Tom Turkey went to his hiding place to sulk and feel sorry
for himself.
On Thursday morning he was BROWN again but now he had a GREEN feather amongst
the other brightly colored tail feathers. But something was happening to Tom
Turkey. He was really beginning to want to change. He wanted to keep his temper.
He didn't feel like being ashamed of himself. He was determined to try hard
and do just that.
Of course all the turkeys liked to tease Tom and while they were playing a
game of Gobble and Waddle someone called Tom a coward. Before Tom started to
think he had flown into another tantrum. This time his face turned YELLOW and
his neck was YELLOW and the turkeys were saying he had a YELLOW streak down
his back. They yelled:
You're YELLOW, turkey.
Just like we said
Why don't you go home
and hide under the bed?
Tom Turkey had turned YELLOW all over because he had forgotten to control
his temper. But this time he sat under a tree and thought a long time about
everything. He had only himself to blame for his mistakes. He was beginning
to realize that he was the only one who could make things better.
When he awoke in the morning he was brown again with a new yellow feather in
his tail. He didn't say a word to anyone, he just went about his business and
said to himself: " I can do it, if I try hard
enough !"
Mother Turkey asked Tom to keep an eye on the little turkeys when she went
to the store on Friday. While she was gone all the baby turkeys ran through the
house with muddy feet. When Tom saw what they had done, Tom almost lost
his temper. But this time he just held his breath as long as he could. He
turned as pale as a ghost , but he didn't lose his temper. The turkeys yelled:
You're WHITE, WHITE
But your temper didn't show
Maybe you're changing
We really hope so.
All Saturday and Sunday he kept calm and was tickled PINK to think he had gone
two days without a terrible temper tantrum. He was still a little BROWN turkey
, and a very happy one too.
He reported back to Dr. Owl on Monday and Tom Turkey thanked him for his help.
Dr. Owl told Tom he had earned the right to wear the brightly colored tail
and that he should show it off proudly from now on.
So when you go to the farm and see the turkey with his fan shaped tail all
unfolded, remember this story about the turkey with the terrible temper.
This one is a little bit of work but well worth it!!
Extension to Above Story
Submitted by Cathy of the KOS Loop
I do a different version with The Terrible Turkey. I take a
clear jar and tape feathers and a little turkey face to the jar. Fill
the jar half way full of water. As you tell the story, add
a few drops of that color food coloring. When you finish he
is quite brown. On the last verse, you omit the part of his
finally becoming brown. Instead,
you fill the jar up with bleach and the children see him turn white(clear)
right before their very eyes!!! They think it is just amazing..."do it
again." is always the response!!
THANKSGIVING SONGS
Following submitted by Shelley of the KOS Loop
Five Turkeys Gobbling
Five turkeys gobbling at Farmer Brown's door
One flew away and then there were four
Four turkeys gobbling at Farmer Brown's tree
One hopped the fence and then there were three
THree turkeys gobbling at the Moo Cow Moo
One went to play and then there were two
Two turkeys gobbling at he bright November sun
One went to sleep and then there was one.
One turkey gobbling, was he trying to say?
"I'm coming to visit you Thanksgiving Day."
MR. Turkey
(tune Frere Jacques)
Mr. Turkey, Mr. Turkey
Run away, run away.
If you are not careful
You will be a mouthful
Thanksgiving day Thanksgiving day.
THANKSGIVING UNIT
Submitted by Teri
Day 1 I made a large Mayflower ship out of
refrigerator boxes. We discussed how the pilgrims left their
homes and got on this boat. We discussed how crowded it was,
the number of children aboard and how long they sailed. Then
we ALL (18 children plus me) got into the boat. It was
a little crowded but it showed the children how it must have felt
for the Pilgrims. Then we talked about the fact that the Pilgrims
had to eat a lot of biscuits on the journey. Then I gave the
children a some biscuits to snack on. While the children were
eating we talked about what the children must have done for entertainment. They
came up with some wonderful ideas. We sang some songs and read a
story.
Day 2 and 3 Today we landed in America. The children discussed
and decided what the Pilgrims had to do first. They decided that
they needed homes and food. So I gave each group of 5 children
another large box that I had made into a house shape. The group
painted it to their liking. Then we had to plant out crops. I
put dirt in the discovery table and the children planted seeds, etc.
Day 4 Today we harvested our food. When the children
came in I had corn where they had planted the seeds. We
discussed that it would never have happened that fast. They children
shucked corn and painted with corn cobs.
Day 5 Today we started preparing for the feast. We
discussed Indian friends, etc. We made butter and popcorn.
Day 6 Today we invited out Indian friends (parents) for a feast. This
was fabalous. The parents wore Indian necklaces and the children
made pilgrim hats to wear. Each family brought a couple of dished
and we had a
feast. It was so much fun. The children showed their parents the
Mayflower and the houses they had painted. It was a great unit.
Title: Pioneers
Submitted by Peg
Class project - make butter using recipe below.
Say this authentic Pioneer poem while shaking the jar:
"Come butter, come
Come, butter, come
Peter standing at the gate (substitute child's name as they take
turn shaking the jar)
Waiting for a butter cake
Come, butter, come
Butter Recipe
Heavy crème (not whipping)
Jar with secure lid
Marbles
Strainer
Butter molds (optional)
Fill clean, dry jar ¾ full of crème. Add marbles (about
2 or 3)
Have each child take turn shaking the jar. In a bout 15 minutes you should
hear little chunks of butter
Strain
Put butter in molds or shape with fingers and lay on waxed paper
Cool in fridge
Use during harvest feast!
Native American Patter Rug
Submitted by Peg
materials: Brown felt squares (one per child), Various colors of felt
cut into small squares, scissors, fabric glue
Have the child cut fringe along the edges of their large piece of
felt with the scissors. Then glue the colored felt squares on the large
piece to make a pattern.
Title: Cloth Dying
Submitted by Marilyn
Give the children some background that Native Americans used vegetable
to dye their clothing. They did not have stores to purchase colored
cloth, so they made their own.
Take beets, spinach, blueberries and place in separate pots on stove. Add
a small amount of water and boil. After the water cools, (the
next day) have the children paint with these natural vegetable dyes
on pieces of white cotton cloth.
THANSKGIVING
Following submitted by Kris of the KOS loop Krisplu@aol.com
Turkey picture
I have modified the traditional handprint turkey. I paint the
thumb and palm brown, and paint stripes going across the fingers
of the other colors: yellow, red, green, orange. After the
child places painted hand down on paper I help to hold the thumb
and palm still and tell the child to wiggle their other fingers on
the page. This creates more of a 'fan' for the turkey tail
feathers. After the paint is dry, have child add eyes, wattle,
beak, feather marks, legs and feet with crayon or markers.
Thankful Bulletin Board
Before I do this activity we spend time at circle time talking about
what it means to be thankful and discussing how we are blessed and
what we have to be thankful for. Unfortunately, for many children
this is a new concept!
I have copied a large turkey head, neck, body and legs that I have
laminated. For my bulletin board I put the turkey on the board
and add a feather for his tail for each child. On the feathers
I write "Dylan is thankful for ........." . (This is nice to add to
the child's Memory book, if you do one)
Necklaces
Color rigatoni macaroni with alcohol and food coloring. Let child
string rigatoni however they would like.
Feast
Our school has an annual feast where each class helps to prepare the
food. We ask for donations from the parents. We prepare
corn muffins, carrot and celery sticks, stuffing mix, chickens (cooked
by volunteer parents), and individual pumpkins pies. The different
classes dress as Indians or Pilgrims, we all eat together and invite
the parents to come watch us, take pictures, as well as serve and
clean up. We are in Southern CA, and the last two years we
have done this outside -- which has worked out very nice for us. We
eat at 11:30. ***The children prepare everything***
Corn Napkin Rings
Submitted by Peg
Materials: Toilet tissue rolls cut into rings, Glue, Indian Corn
Brush glue all over the rings. Roll in Indian corn. Let dry.
Title: Handprint Turkey Cards
Submitted by Jan
Area: Art
Have childen make handprints on a card. The thumb is the head
and the fingers are the feathers.Add legs, eyes, beak to complete
the turkey. Inside the card print the following verse:
This isn't just a turkey,
As anyone can see.
I made it with my hand,
Which is a part of me!
It comes with lots of love
Especially to say--
I hope you have
A very happy Thanksgiving Day!
Love _________
Title: Feathered Turkey
Submitted by Marilyn
Give each child a large, long pine cone. Have many different
colors of small feathers on the table and containers of glue. Have
the children dip the end (tip part) of the feather into the glue
and then insert between the folds of the pinecone. Wrap a chenille
bumpy (purchased at any craft store) in the front of the pinecone
as the turkey's head.
Title: I AM THANKFUL
Following songs.fingerplays submitted by Peg
("She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain")
I am thankful for my doggy and my cat
And my teddy bear so furry, soft and fat
I am thankful for soft kittens, and my nice warm woolen mittens
And my swing set and my baseball and my bat
I am thankful for my crayons and my books
And the way our brand new baby smiles and looks
I am thankful for potatoes, and for juicy ripe tomatoes
And for all the tasty food that mommy (or "daddy") cooks
I am thankful for my mommy and my dad
They both love me whether I am good or bad
I am thankful for the flowers, and refreshing summer showers
All the pretty things around me make me glad
Title: A TURKEY RAN AWAY
Tune - Cartoon Diddy
A turkey ran away before Thanksgiving Day
He said "They'll make a roast out of me if I should stay"
The pumpkin... "pumpkin pie"
The apple... "applesauce"
The corn... "cornbread"
Title: Vegetables (tune: Mary had a little lamb)
We are pumpkins, big and round,
Big and round, big and round.
We are pumpkins, big and round,
Seated on the ground.
We are string beans green and fine.....growing on a vine.
We are onions round and white....we make soup taste right.
We are carrots, orange and long...help us sing the song.
We are cabbage green or red....see our funny head.
We are corn stalks tall and straight...don't we just taste great!
Title: I've been Working in The Kitchen
I've been working in the kitchen all the live loing day
I've been working in the ktichen.
Cooking is as much fun as play!
Mommy likes for me to help her, and I know it's true
If she didn't have a helper, then what would she do?
Stir a bowl here, stir a bowl there
Set the table and the chairs
Stir a bowl here, stir a bowl there
Set the table and the chairs
Someone's in the kitchen with Mommy
Some one;s in the kitchen, you see -ee -ee
Someone's in the kitchen with Mommy
And that someone is ME!
Sing again and change Mommy to Daddy, Granny, Auntie, etc…
Title: Harvest Time
(tune: twinkle, twinkle)
Harvest time is here again
In the garden we must dig
Carrots, radishes, onions too
All so fresh and yummy too.
Harvest time is here again
Won't be long till you know when!! (thanksgiving)
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