Under His Construction
• Nov. 19, 2007 - The Sound of Thanksgiving
Well it is just about time for the big day of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and yummiest of all yummies, Pumpkin Pie! Mmmm! Each year we take the week (sometimes 2 weeks) prior to Thanksgiving and delve into a huge study all about the Pilgrims but this year I am doing things a bit simpler as we are getting ready to move. I have turned the study into more of a unit study this year. Now I know that does not really seem simpler but it actually is because I did not have to plan a big lesson, everything is already done for me on some Thanksgiving pages I got off the group files at the Yahoo Principle Approach group and also from various other sources. Great stuff that will even bring a little math into the week. So I thought I would share a little about what we are doing for each subject, some costume ideas, and some of our favorite resources. Then I am going to finish off with the perfect Bible lesson for Thanksgiving given by my Pastor two Sundays ago. He teaches very principled sermons and so I have a whole notebook of already prepared lessons from his sermons! How awesome is that! I think you all will enjoy the notes from his message titled 'The Sound of Thanksgiving'.
So here are our plans:
Geography: I don't remember where I got it but I found on my computer in the Pilgrims section of my History files a map skills lesson that is for including with a study on the Pilgrims. It is very good so we will take 30 minutes or so this week to complete the map.
Grammar: Again I have some pre-made worksheets focusing on vocabulary and dictionary skills.
Writing: And again I have a premade worksheet that lists questions to get the kids journaling about the all kinds of aspects about the Pilgrim story. We will do one a day.
Math: Besides yet another worksheet that has the kids calculate passenger and crew deaths we will be doing our regular math lessons as I have been feeling a pull to put a lot more time into this subject lately.
Music: We will be learning about Handel over at www.classicsforkids.com as he was the composer who lived closest to this time period. If you have not checked this site out then I encourage you to do so! My kids love their radio shows that you can listen to online. We pick a new composer from their list of past shows each week and listen to all 4 programs about that particular one. They also have lots of online games and other great features.
Science: Well this one is a no-brainer for us! We have all of Alton Brown's 'Good Eats' Thanksgiving episodes and so we will be watching these all week and learning all about the science that goes into making the perfect Thanksgiving feast. Then on Thanksgiving my kids will indeed be helping in the kitchen this year putting that new found knowledge to use! ( :
Art: My best friend from Jr./Sr. High School's dad was our 3rd grade teacher and still teaches. I became very close to her family and email with her mom on a pretty regular basis. She helps her husband with the art part of his lessons and is a very gifted artist herself! She is so sweet to send me the leftover craft kits that she buys for the classroom whenever she has some. So with that said I got a package from her last week with 4 kits to make the most adorable stuffed felt pumpkins so I am sure you all can guess what we will be doing for Art this week! ( :
Costumes: My daughter already has a dress that is perfect for making her into a cute little Pilgrim girl and we made these hats (http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/feature/famf118pilgrim/famf118pilgrim2.html) for my boys a couple years ago, so We will be making this bonnet (http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/feature/famf118pilgrim/famf118pilgrim3.html) for my daughter and my boys will be wearing black sweatpants pulled up to their knees like knickers and a black ribbon tied around the bottom. They will be wearing white knee highs underneath. They will also be wearing a black turtleneck and I will me making some simple collars and cuffs to go with.
On my two oldest kiddos reading list for this week are three great books that they are to read to their little brothers. The books are 'The Coming of the Pilgrims' (http://www.amazon.com/coming-Pilgrims-Governor-Bradfords-firsthand/dp/B0006BLSCW/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195481035&sr=8-1),
'Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving' (http://www.amazon.com/Squanto-Miracle-Thanksgiving-Eric-Metaxas/dp/B000H2MQEO/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195481122&sr=1-3) and Louisa May Alcott's 'An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving'.
I will also be reading to them from 'The Thanksgiving Primer' (http://www.visionforum.com/search/productdetail.aspx?search=thanksgiving&productid=36645).
We will be watching Nest Entertainment's William Bradford DVD as well as Little Bear Wheeler's Thanksgiving video.
We will be listening to the two latest stories from Homeschool Radio Shows and possibly another show coming this week. I am guessing it too will be about the Pilgrims.
In addition I will also be copying off some fun activity pages for my little guys to do when they are too little for some of the other activities.
So the only thing left is Bible. For this we will be doing one more worksheet and the following Bible lesson (this will also be a grammar lesson that I added into my notes from the sermon) that I mentioned above:
Psalm 100
Principle: God wants our heartfelt praise and thanksgiving.
Leading Idea: The more we know and understand God’s character the more we praise Him from the heart.
I. The Sound of Thankfulness
A. The Commands of Psalm 100
1. Shout (our verb word - a call to action) to the Lord
A. Who? All the earth. (That’s us!)
B. How? Joyfully! (our adverb that shows the heart behind what we do)
2. Serve (our verb word - a call to action) the Lord
A. How? Gladly! (an adverb again)
3. Come before His presence with singing (verb)
4. Know (verb) that He is God
A. The God who made us
1. We did not do it
B. The God who is our shepherd, our owner
1. We are His people, His flock.
5. Enter (verb) His gates
A. How? Thankfully (adverb)
6. Go into His courts praising (verb) Him
7. Be thankful (verb) to Him
8. Bless (verb) His name
B. Why?
1. The Lord is good. (Adjective)
A. How good?
1. Romans 2:4
2. James 1:17
2. His mercy (also translated loving-kindness from a word that means both loyalty and endurance) is everlasting (synonym - forever).
3. His Truth endures to all (superlative) generations.
Well - I hope this has inspired you to take the week and enjoy learning about Thanksgiving and our amazing Christian heritage. Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day!
Love in Christ,
Mandi
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• Nov. 19, 2007 - Thanksgiving
Pastor David's sermon sounds wonderful ~ and on my very favorite Psalm 100.
Love you all,
Mom