Happy Thanksgiving!!

Wow, we have had a fabulous November, learning all about Pilgrims and Native Americans. A yummy snack was enjoyed by all as we made log cabins with pretzels, graham crackers, frosting, and marshmallows.

Summer Blossom, Cloudy Chipmunk, Flaming Moon, Early Bull.....these are some of our new names!

 

We shared our birth stories and gave ourselves new Native American names. The first part of our names tell about our birth, and the second name was chosen by each student. Mrs. Miles called us by our Native American names till Thanksgiving! We used our patterning skills to decorate a huge tepee in our classroom and got to play with Native American dolls, canoes, baskets, and furs inside the tepee on "buffalo hide". We learned about Native American symbols, drawing or tracing our favorites onto paper tepees. We danced just as if we were at a powwow and wore "buckskin" shirts and dresses. Watching videos of Native American dancing was a favorite and we loved dancing with bells, keeping the beat with each jingle.

 

We also learned about Tepees, Hogans, Longhouses and Pueblos.

 

Our Thanksgiving Play was the highlight of this week! Our hard work was noticed by our wonderful grandparents who came to watch us on Grandparents Day!

 

I am so thankful for each and every child in my class!

I am thankful for...

Summer Blossom's gentle nature.

Cloudy Chipmunk's spunk and determination.

Summer Star's work ethic.

Flaming Moon's excitement in all that we do.

Little Bunny's artistic abilities.

Christmas Horse's creative thinking.

Rising Moon's thoughful ways.

Early Bull's willingness to keep trying.

Swift Bat's zest for learning.

Singing Deer's willingness to "go with the flow".

Sea Hawk's kindness toward others.

Gliding Owl's exuberant nature.

Morning Star's happy smile and sweet nature.

I would like to thank you, wonderful parents, for allowing me the priviledge of teaching your children this year!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Running Deer

 

 

 

 

 

 

What was it like to be a Pilgrim?

It has been exciting to learn about the Pilgrims. What was it like to be a Pilgrim girl or boy?
As we read about Sarah Morton, and Samuel Eaton, two Pilgrim children, we learned how difficult life was for families. We recited and acted out this poem, inserting new tasks the children had to do daily such as tend the fire, feed the chickens, milk the goats, reap the harvest, pound spices, etc.

Pilgrim children just like you,

had so many things to do

They served dinner, and helped out

without a whimper or a pout.

Then when all the work was done

Pilgrim children had time for fun.

They played marbles, shared secrets too.

Were tucked in bed, just like you.

 

 

 

We discovered first hand, a little about pilgrm life. We learned that the children had to stand and serve their parents at meal times. Many times there were not enough chairs for the family. They also were not allowed to speak unless spoken to. They draped their napkins over their shoulders and ate with spoons and knives...no forks! We had lunch and I was served by the children! I was the only one to sit....everyone stood for the entire lunch. We had real cloth napkins to put over our shoulders and at only with spoons and knives. Some of us were weary of standing but couldn't complain because they weren't allowed to speak unless I asked them a question!