Over the River (Traditional Tune – Happy Everything CD)
Over the river and through the woods
(Pretend to hold reins of a sleigh as you bounce up and down.)
To grandmother’s house we go.
The horse knows the way
To grandmother’s house we go.
The horse knows the way
(Put hands behind back and nod like a horse.)
To carry the sleigh
Through the white and drifted snow.
Over the river and through the woods,
To carry the sleigh
Through the white and drifted snow.
Over the river and through the woods,
(Pretend to drive sleigh.)
Oh, how the wind does blow.
Oh, how the wind does blow.
(Wrap arms around self and shiver.)
It stings your toes and bites your nose
It stings your toes and bites your nose
(Touch nose and point to toes.)
As over the ground we go.
As over the ground we go.
Through the country and cities far
(Pretend to drive a car.)
In sun or wind or rain.
We might go by train
In sun or wind or rain.
We might go by train
(Pull down on train whistle.)
We might take a plane.
We might take a plane.
(Fly hand like a plane in the air.)
Or maybe a bus or car.
Or maybe a bus or car.
(Hold out right hand, then left.)
Through low valleys and mountains high
Through low valleys and mountains high
(Look down low and then up.)
Now, grandmother’s house I spy.
Now, grandmother’s house I spy.
(Hand over eyes.)
Hurrah, for the fun!
Hurrah, for the fun!
(One fist in the air.)
Is the turkey done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!
Is the turkey done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!
(Cheer with other fist.)
Use a Venn diagram to compare what it would be like to visit grandmother a long time ago and how we visit now. How are things the same?
Make a graph of how they will travel to their Thanksgiving dinner. Car? Plane? Train? Bus? Boat? Stay at home!
Have children interview their parents to see what Thanksgiving was like when they were a child.
Holidays are a good time to talk about diversity. Not all families celebrate Thanksgiving, but most families do celebrate something. Ask children to bring in photos or celebrations they have in their home. Put their pictures together to make a class book.
Comparisons
Graphs
Make a graph of how they will travel to their Thanksgiving dinner. Car? Plane? Train? Bus? Boat? Stay at home!
Interviews
Have children interview their parents to see what Thanksgiving was like when they were a child.
Family Celebrations
Holidays are a good time to talk about diversity. Not all families celebrate Thanksgiving, but most families do celebrate something. Ask children to bring in photos or celebrations they have in their home. Put their pictures together to make a class book.
