I will be doing this lesson with my boys (ages 3 and 8) this Sunday as part of our homeschooling. For my oldest son, I am adding bible memory verses and discussion. I thought I'd share it with you. I found this in a book that I was able to view online at google books. Giving Thanks Bible Lesson Young children are interested in doing things with their friends. They love to hear stories with their friends- especially stories that happened long ago or "Once upon a time..." Use this lesson to help toddlers and preschoolers learn about Thanksgiving. Give them an opportunity to thank God for the blessings in their lives. The Lively Lesson 1. God Loves Me Every Day Greet each other, then gather in a circle. Tell your children that they're going to learn about Thanksgiving and have a chance to give thanks for their blessings. Teach the young children this song to the tune of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." Have them repeat line by line with actions,then slowly combine the lines together. I know God loves me every day (Hug self) God shows me in many ways (arms extended, seperated lightly, palms up) My family and the friends I meet (hands over heart) And the good food that I eat. (Touch lips) God's good blessings with me stay. (arms raised, palms open) I know God loves me every day (hug self) 2. Shake a story Pour 1 pint of cold heavy whipping cream into a see-through container with a tight fitting lid. Shake the container for up to five to six minutes to begin the butter making process. Kids will continue to shake during the activity-approxiamately two to three more minutes). Pass around the container filled with whipping cream. Explain that the kids will take take turns shaking the container to make butter while you tell the story of the pilgrims. Story: Once upon a time, long ago, the Pilgrims came to America. These people came from across the sea. When they got here, though, they didn't know how to grow foods in a new land. So the Indians showed them how to grow things like corn, pumpkins, and beans and how to prepare and eat turkey. Without the Indians' help, the pilgrims would have little to eat and would have starved. The first year, when all the foods were ready to eat, the pilgrims had a big feast and invited their Indain friends. They thanked God for all the delicious new foods and for their new friends. And each Thanksgiving Day, we do the same thing when we thank God for food, friends, families, and all the gifts God gives us. SAY: Today we'll celebrate our own Friendship Feast with the butter you've just been making. Let's thank God for our butter and all our blessings. SET the forming butter aside. 3. Pat a Pilgrim's Prayer Ask kids to pat their knees in rhythm. Tell them they're going to pat a prayer to a one-two beat. Ask the kids to repeat each line after you say it. Keep the rhythm going throughout the prayer: Thank you God, For these gifts: Food, Families, Friends, Our beatiful earth, Us, Jesus, He sure loves us, He calls us friends. Amen! 4. Friendship Feast (you'll need a Bible, the butter, crackers, a bowl, and a butter knife.) Help the children remove the lid from the container. Pour off the liquid into the empty bowl. Spread on crackers. Also serve chocolate milk or another drink kids will be thankful for. SAY: There's a Bible Verse that's nice for Thanksgiving. Listen to it as you eat your crackers and butter. Read Psalm 107:1 to the children from a children's Bible or use this wording: "Thank the Lord because He is good. His love continues forever!" Source: "Lively Bible Lessons for Preschoolers" By Cindy S. Hansen, Group Publishing, Mikal Keefer, Karen Ball Published by Group, 2003 ISBN 0764425439, 9780764425431 104 pages
Sandra, you might also like the Thanksgiving lessons on www.daniellesplace.com . Also check out her ABC I Believe lessons. The first few are free.
