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Subject

English Language Arts (NYS P-12 Common Core)

Assessment

Book discussion:
SLMS will note student participation levels.

Art project:
SLMS will check to see that students are following directions in creating their pictures.
Teacher will check students’ spelling and handwriting of the word they choose.

• Lesson Rubric

 

Learning Context/ Introduction

As the winter holiday season begins in the United States, many elementary school teachers wish to present lessons about the history of the Thanksgiving holiday. However, many teachers are aware that misinformation and cultural biases have been part of past teaching about Thanksgiving. They want to provide correct information appropriate for the developmental level for the children, and also present a positive message. Please explore the Educator Resources below for background information.

This lesson offers one approach designed to address these concerns. Young children can relate best to lessons about their own experiences, but also need to grow in awareness of the values and similarities they share with others.

This lesson focuses on appreciation of Native American culture, particularly, the theme of thankfulness for the gifts of nature. After a basic historical background of Thanksgiving is presented in the classroom, including the information that the European settlers survived because of the knowledge of nature shared by the Native Americans, students will reflect on how they depend on various elements of nature (sun, water, animals, etc.), and compare their reflections with the traditional Thanksgiving message of a local Native American tribe, the Iroquois, through a library literature and craft activity.

Note: The Haudenosaunee celebrate seven major Thanksgivings throughout the year. They give thanks to the Creator on a daily basis for their spiritual well being. They do not celebrate the "Thanksgiving holiday" on the last Thursday in November.

Authors

Sherry Altman, LIS Student, University at Buffalo
Cecilia Driscoll, LIS Student, University at Buffalo

Collaborators

Marlene Napierela, first grade teacher
Jean Turner, library media specialist
Clinton Street Elementary School
West Seneca Central School District

Duration

Two half-hour sessions, adjust time as needed.

Essential Question

Why do the Iroquois people say the earth is like a "mother"? What do all living things need?

Instructional/Environment Modifications

For students who complete their art project early: A basket of books for varying reading levels with themes related to Native Americans, nature, harvest, etc. will be available. Internet computer activities about Thanksgiving will be available as well. Find related materials through this link.

Books and Sites

Procedure

Preparation

1. Teacher will have given children background information on Native American culture, specifically, emphasizing their harmony with the natural environment.
2. On a whiteboard or easel, list each element of nature mentioned in the book Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message by Chief Jake Swamp. Examples include water, grass, fruits and berries. Draw a simple picture next to each word to help the children recognize meanings.

First Session

1. Ask the students for their ideas on how the earth is like a mother. (Mothers have children, mothers take care of children, children need food, warmth, etc.) If the earth is a mother to all living things, what do all living things need to survive?
2. Go through the list of elements from the book. In the first column for each element, have the children predict how each element gives us something we need. (Ex: Sun gives light, warmth, etc.)
3. Read the story. Ask the children what they receive and why they are thankful for the elements on the list.

Second Session

1. Have the following materials available:
   • The word lists prepared for and with the children.
   • Colored Construction paper for background of mats, including the line of text "I thank Mother Earth for ____________"
   • Cutouts of sun, moon, river, mountain, flower, berries, rain, and other natural elements.
   • Glue sticks
   • Lined paper
   • Pencils and crayons
2. Direct children to select elements and glue them onto the background.
3. Have children complete the sentence: "I thank Mother Earth for ________________."
4. After the placemats are completed, the teacher and library media specialist will laminate them and return them to the students for use at their classroom Thanksgiving feast.

Reflections and Feedback

Teacher and SLMS will meet and discuss the learning experience after it has been presented. They will address the following questions:

• How well does the timeframe work with the lesson planned? Do adjustments need to be made?
• How actively have children participated in the discussion? Do they have adequate prior knowledge to participate? Do they need more preparation in the classroom?
• Is the student work an appropriate indicator of their success in meeting the learning objectives?
• Do the children appear to enjoy the lesson?

Student Work

Each student will create an art project to be made into a laminated placemat to use during classroom Thanksgiving feast. The activity will involve choosing at least three cutouts of elements of nature to glue onto a background page, drawing one picture to represent an element of nature, and completing the sentence, "I thank Mother Earth for ______________."

Related Resource

Picture Book: Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message, by Chief Jake Swamp, illustrated by Erwin Printup, Jr., New York: Lee & Low, 1995.

Information Literacy Standards

Standard 3: The student who is information literate uses information critically and competently.
Standard 5: The student who is an independent learner is information literate and appreciates literature and other creative expressions of information.

Educator Resources

Branum, Nell Carter. “Thanksgiving in Primary Literature.” School Library Media Activities Monthly Nov. 1996: 23-26.

Huppke, Rex W. “A Child’s First P.C. Thanksgiving.” FrontPageMagazine.com. 20 Oct. 2004. http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Printable.asp?ID=10956

Reese, Debbie. “Teaching Young Children About Native Americans.” ERIC Digest. 20 Oct. 2004. http://www.ericfacility.net/ericdigests/ed394744.html

Ross, Kathy; Robertson, Mary; et al. "Teaching About Thanksgiving." The Center For World Indigenous Studies. 20 Oct. 2004. http://www.night.net/thanksgiving/lesson-plan.html

Weenie, Angelina. "Post-colonial Recovering and Healing." Learn in Beauty: Indigenous Education for a New Century. 1 Dec. 2004. http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~jar/LIB/LIB6.html

Related Academic Standards

New York State

1W4 Create a response to a text, author, theme or personal experience (e.g., poem, dramatization, art work, or other).

RL.1.9.a With prompting and support, students will make cultural connections to text and self.

W.1.11 Create and present a poem, dramatization, art work, or personal response to a particular author or theme studied in class, with support as needed.

MST4.E.LE.1.1 Students describe the characteristics of and variations between living and nonliving things.

SS.E.1.3A Students gather and organize information about the important accomplishments of individuals and groups, including Native American Indians, living in their neighborhoods and communities.

ELA1.E.LR1A Students gather and interpret information from children's reference books, magazines, textbooks, electronic bulletin boards, audio and media presentations, oral interviews, and from such forms as charts, graphs, maps and diagrams.