Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving in America: 

Thanksgiving in America Thanksgiving Day falls on the fourth Thursday of November.

History: 

History The first Thanksgiving was celebrated by the pilgrims and Native Americans at Plymouth Colony (in Massachusetts). The pilgrims gave thanks to God for helping them survive their first winter in a new land, and thanks to the Native Americans, who taught them how to grow crops and trap fish to survive. The Native Americans and settlers celebrated together on the first Thanksgiving with a three-day feast in 1621. They ate things like corn, fish, deer, lobster, squash, berries, turkey, beets, and pumpkin.

The Main Idea: Being THANKFUL: 

The Main Idea: Being THANKFUL Thanksgiving is a day for Americans to think about their blessings and give thanks for them. Many families hold hands around the Thanksgiving table before the feast, and each person says what he or she is most thankful for. THANKFUL - GRATEFUL - APPRECIATIVE

The Thanksgiving Feast: 

The Thanksgiving Feast Turkey Stuffing Mashed potatoes Gravy Sweet potatoes Cornbread Cranberry sauce Turnips Green beans Pie: pumpkin, apple, pecan, sweet potato *In some homes, the mother cooks the Thanksgiving feast. In others, the whole family helps . *FAMILY is very important on Thanksgiving. Many families will drive long distances to spend Thanksgiving together.

Charity: 

Charity On Thanksgiving, people give thanks for what they have. Many kind people also try to give to help those who are less fortunate - giving them more to be thankful for. Donating to a food drive and volunteering to serve a Thanksgiving meal at a homeless shelter are common ways to participate in Thanksgiving charity.

Football: 

Football Football is played on almost every level on Thanksgiving Day, from backyard games of touch football, to the National Football League. Many families or groups of friends will play football together before the Thanksgiving feast. Others go to games or watch the NFL games on TV. The tradition of Thanksgiving Day football began in New England in the late 1800’s , when high school rivalries would have games, often for the season’s championship. Connecticut has more than 47 Thanksgiving football games. 2010 NFL Thanksgiving Day lineup Detroit Lions v. New England Patriots Dallas Cowboys v. New Orleans Saints New York Jets v. Cincinnati Bengals (prime time)

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Manhattan - NYC: 

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Manhattan - NYC *The first Macy’s parade didn’t have balloons - they brought live animals from the Central Park Zoo. In the 1920’s, many of Macy’s Department Store’s employees were first generation immigrants. They wanted to celebrate an American holiday with their European festival traditions. They marched down 145th Street to 34th Street in costumes with animals and a band. Over the years, the tradition has changed. Now, the most important part of the parade is the giant balloons of animals or cartoon characters. Now, Americans across the country watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and its concert performances on television on Thanksgiving morning.

The Turkey Pardon: 

The Turkey Pardon Each year at Thanksgiving , the President of the United States receives a gift of a live turkey ( along with an alternate in case something happens to the official turkey ). At a White House ceremony , the president traditionally " pardons " the National Thanksgiving Turkey and the alternate turkeys , allowing them to live out the rest of their lives on a farm.

Hand Turkeys : 

Hand Turkeys *A very common activity for small children at Thanksgiving time (especially in primary school!) Often, children will write things that they are thankful for on the fingers/feathers.

The Wishbone: 

The Wishbone Some families include breaking the turkey's wishbone as part of their celebration . The wishbone is found attached to the breast meat in the turkey's chest . After the meat has been removed and the wishbone has had a chance to become dry and brittle , two people each take one end of the bone , make a wish , and pull . Whoever ends up with the larger part of the bone gets their wish !

Discussion Questions: 

Discussion Questions What are the top 3 things you’re most thankful for? Give 3 specific reasons for each. If you got the bigger part of the wishbone, what would you wish for and why? Which Thanksgiving traditions would you most want to participate in or watch? (aside from the feast!) Would you prefer to have little and be grateful for what you have, or to have a lot and take your blessings for granted? Why?