This morning we began with a Thanksgiving grocery list. Gracyn had to re-write the list in ABC order. We discussed how to do this, especially when two words start with the same letter. We also talked about chunking words in parts when trying to sound out unfamiliar words. Next, we practiced using a Table of Contents with a worksheet about The First Thanksgiving. In this practice scenario, we found page numbers, chapter numbers, and made inferences as to what the chapter might be about based on the chapter title. In honor of Thanksgiving, we completed a sight word poem entitled "I Am Thankful", which practiced the word, each. We looked at proper handwriting techniques and wrote the word on each set of lines. We then read through the poem, which expressed thankfulness for some of Mother Nature's gifts such as little raindrops, leaves on trees, and little bugs. We ended our morning session with an activity requiring Gracyn to pay attention to details. In a field of 7, she had to eliminate the duplicate letters and circle the remaining single letter. These were displayed on turkey feathers. She then had to use the circled letters to solve a riddle which asks, "What is the best sentence to hear on Thanksgiving Day?" The response was, "Let us eat!"
This afternoon, Gracyn and I read a sweet non-fiction book, A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting. In this story, Mr. and Mrs. Moose invite all their animal friends for Thanksgiving dinner and the only one missing is Turkey. When they set out to find him, Turkey is quite afraid thinking they want him ON their table, not at it. We then reviewed the story elements of character and setting. She wrote these using proper sentence structure. We also talked about verbs and how they are the action words in the sentences. I then read 10 sentences from the story and she chose the verb. She did an excellent job finding the verbs! Gracyn and I read a funny Thanksgiving themed book entitled, Turkey Trouble. In this fiction story by Wendi Silvano, Turkey finds various ways to disguise himself in order to avoid becoming the Thanksgiving main course. We laughed at the whimsical turkey and his lack of knowledge of animals that humans eat. We finished the day with a craft activity in which we made an American Indian feather headband.