GRATITUDE ATTITUDE

Here's a video where I demonstrate many special activities for November.

http://bit.ly/happiesNovember

It's November, and the perfect time of year to nurture a GRATITUDE ATTITUDE in our students - and ourselves! In studies of successful people, gratitude is frequently a characteristic that comes up. Gratitude is an emotion of expressing appreciation for what you have, rather than what you don’t have. Psychology Today reports that gratitude can be cultivated and it can increase levels of happiness when you do. Energy, optimism, and empathy are by-products of gratitude.

Model Gratitude
Make it a habit to include things you appreciate into daily conversations.

Brainstorm
What does it mean to be thankful? Write children’s responses on the board. What are some synonyms for thankful?

Gratitude Journal
Make a special journal for each child to use during the month of November. Several times a week ask them to draw, list, or write sentences about things they are grateful for.
*I used copy paper and wallpaper cut in 9” x 12” rectangles to make my journal. Take five sheets of paper and fold in half. Center on the wallpaper and sew down the middle. (You can do this by hand, or maybe there is a parent or grandparent with a machine who would do this for you.) It makes a lovely book.

      

Thankful Board
Designate a bulletin board or poster in the hall as your “thankful board.” Children can attach sticky notes or draw pictures of things they are thankful for throughout the month.

Gratitude Box
Cut a hole in the top of a shoebox and decorate. Place on a shelf along with paper and pencils. Children write things they are thankful for and place them in the box. When you have a few extra minutes, select notes and read them to the class.

Tell Me Something GOOD
Start the day by going around the room and asking each child to say something they are thankful for.

End with Something GOOD
Clap and slap thighs as you say this chant to end your day:
Hey, hey, what do you say?
What happened good at school today?

Hot Potato Pass
Children sit or stand in a circle and begin passing the hot potato (ball or other small object) around. When the music stops or when the teacher blows a whistle the child holding the potato must say one thing they are thankful for.

Charity
Find a project in your community that your class can do to help others.

VETERAN'S DAY

Veteran’s Day is November 11th, but we should thank our veterans every day! One teacher told me that she taught her children how to recognize veterans by their hat or clothing. Whenever they see a veteran they go up, shake their hand, and say, "Thank you!" You can't teach your students anything more important than that!!!

Veteran’s Day
(Tune: “Danny Boy”)
Today’s the day we celebrate our veterans,
The men and women who fought for our great land.
We’ll raise our flags and hold a moment of silence
And we will carry poppies in our hands.
Because we want to thank you for your service;
You traveled far to keep us safe at home.
You fought with pride and honor for our country.
Our veterans, oh how we love you so.

*You'll find this book and song in our "November Happies" packet.

Vocabulary

What is a veteran? For homework, have children interview their parents to find out about veterans in their family.

Here is a bulletin board from Carolyn Kisloski's school. The children fill out stars for each veteran in their family and then make a "Wall of Thanks" to honor them.

Poppies 

Take three 7” circles cut out of red tissue paper and fold them like a fan. Twist a green pipe cleaner around the middle. Open layers to resemble a poppy. Do a search on the internet to discover why the poppy is symbol for Veteran’s Day.

Guest Speaker 

Call a local military recruiting office and invite a guest speaker to share with the children what it’s like to have a job in the armed forces.

Letters to the Armed Forces
Here's a website where you can get information about writing letters to current military members and veterans. What a great way to show appreciation for our servicemen and women!
https://www.operationgratitude.com/writeletters/

THANKSGIVING STORY BRACELET

This has been one of the most popular posts on my website. I have done this countless times with different age groups and they always love it. (A big craft distributor "borrowed" this idea and sells a kit - and you'll see countless adaptations on Pinterest.) But, if you want the original REAL deal with the poem my daughter wrote, here it is! It's a craft that reinforces oral language, sequencing, and retelling a story.

Hint! It's going to be an "investment" when you buy the beads, so this might be a project to hand over to a parent. You can buy individual bags of beads or just buy a large container of beads at Walmart and let the children pick out the colors they will need. The only color I had difficulty finding was brown, so I just bought a little package of brown wooden beads.


Materials: white, blue, green, black, brown, red, orange, yellow beads, pipe cleaners

Directions: Say the poem and demonstrate how to insert the beads when the appropriate color is mentioned. Model this several times and encourage the children to recall the colors and fill in words that rhyme.

Write the colors in order and put the pipe cleaners and beads in a center for the children to construct independently. You could also do this as a small group activity with younger children. Practice telling the story as the children touch the beads for a prompt. Make sure to send home a copy of the poem with the bracelet so parents can reinforce this activity at home.

Thanksgiving Story Bracelet
With this bracelet you will know (Start with a pipe cleaner.)
The first Thanksgiving that was long, long ago.
The Pilgrims set sail from far away
On the Mayflower with tall white sails. (Insert a white bead.)
They sailed many days across the ocean blue. (Add a blue bead.)
The seas were rough, but the ship came through.
At last they spotted land so green. (String on a green bead.)
They were so happy they cheered and screamed.
The first year was so hard and black. (Now a black bead.)
Many died and wished that they could go back.
But the Native Americans gave them a hand
And helped them survive in the strange new land.
They decided to celebrate in a special way
And that became the first Thanksgiving day.
They prepared a feast with turkeys brown (Add a brown bead.)
And red cranberries that they had found. (Time for a red bead.)
Yellow corn that they had learned to grow (Insert a yellow bead.)
And orange pumpkin pies, don’t you know! (Last an orange bead.)
But before they ate the turkey and dressing,
They all held hands for a thankful blessing.
(Twist the ends of the pipe cleaner to make a bracelet.)

LET'S TALK TURKEY

Let's Talk Turkey Today!

Albuquerque Turkey(Tune: “My Darlin’ Clementine”)
Albuquerque is a turkey (Put hands on hips like wings.)
And he’s feathered and he’s fine.
And he wobbles and he gobbles (Strut and wiggle.)
And he’s absolutely mine.

He’s the best pet you can get, (Pretend to stroke a turkey’s head.)
Better than a dog or cat.
He’s my Albuquerque turkey,
And I’m awfully proud of that.

Albuquerque is a turkey,
And he’s happy in his bed. (Lay hands on palms as you smile.)
Cause for our Thanksgiving dinner,
We’ll have pizza pie instead! (Palm up in the air like a pizza.)


Turkey Handshake

One child makes a fist and sticks out her thumb to make the head and body of a turkey. The other child opens his palm, spreads the fingers apart, and puts it next to their partner’s fist to make tail feathers.

Handprint Turkey

This idea is old as the hills, but it will be new to the children in your classroom. Have children place their hand on a sheet of paper extending all the fingers. Trace. Children turn the thumb into the head of the turkey and color the other fingers to look like feathers. Add legs, and there’s your turkey! You can also do this with paint. Paint brown paint on the child’s palm, red on the thumb, and a different color on each finger. Press firmly on a sheet of paper. Add legs and other details.

Turkey Glyph
What a fun math project for a small group of a center. Each child will need a cut out of a turkey's body. Provide them with paper feathers in the following colors. Children can add feathers to their turkey according to the foods they plan to eat for their Thanksgiving Dinner:
green – beans or peas
yellow – corn
white - mashed potatoes
orange – pumpkin pie
red – cranberries
purple – gravy
blue – dressing
brown – turkey
black – roll

*Challenge children to identify what their friends will eat from their turkeys.

Mr. Turkey and Mr. Duck
Mr. Turkey went for (Start with hands behind your back.)
A walk one day (Bring right thumb out in front of you.)
In the very best
Of weather.
He met Mr. Duck (Bring left thumb out in front.)
Along the way
And they talked (Have thumbs look at each other.)
Together.
“Gobble, gobble, gobble.” (Wiggle right thumb.)
“Quack, quack, quack.” (Wiggle left thumb.)
“Good-bye.” (Bow right thumb.)
“Good-bye.” (Bow left thumb.)
And they both walked back! (Wiggle thumbs behind your back.)

Gobble, Gobble
Gobble, gobble. (Teacher says.)
Who is that? (Children respond.)
Mr. Turkey (Children and teacher say together.)
Big and fat!

He is big and fat and he (Spread arms wide.)
Gobble, gobble, gobbles. (Wiggle from side to side with hands on hips.)
He spreads his tail and he (Fan arms behind you.)
Gobble, gobble, gobbles. (Wiggle from side to side with hands on hips.)
But when Thanksgiving Day is here, (Point finger.)
Then it’s our turn to
GOBBLE! GOBBLE! GOBBLE! (Pretend to spoon food in your mouth!)

TWO TURKEY TALES

Many things go in and out of style, but a good story is everlasting. I've got two of my favorite turkey tales for you today. I first heard Timmy Turkey about 40 years ago. In the original story grandmother turns Timmy into a color that "everyone will like" and you pull out a picture of a roasted turkey on a platter. I thought that might be a little too graphic for the kiddles, so I adapted it to be "kinder and gentler." The alliteration and oral language, as well as the sequencing skills, are perfect for engaging children. I guarantee they'll want to hear the story again and again.


Directions: Download the pattern and cut the turkey's body out of the front of a file folder. Insert colors of construction paper inside the file folder according to the story. (brown, blue, red, green, yellow, purple, and multi-color) Glue the words to the back of the folder so you can just read it and remove one sheet of paper at a time.

*Encourage the children to join in on the chorus!

TIMMY TURKEY
Once upon a time there was a beautiful brown turkey named Timmy. One day as he strutted down the road he heard a bluebird say:

Ha, ha, ha! He, he, he!
You’re the funniest turkey I ever did see.
Timmy Turkey replied: Oh, dear, oh, dear! Oh, me, oh, me!
Why am I the funniest turkey you ever did see?
The bluebird answered: You should be blue like me. It’s such a peaceful color.
So Timmy went home a dyed himself blue. (Remove the brown paper to reveal a blue turkey.)

The next day as Timmy strutted down the road he heard a red hen say:
Ha, ha, ha! He, he, he!
You’re the funniest turkey I ever did see.
Timmy replied: Oh, dear, oh, dear! Oh, me, oh, me!
Why am I the funniest turkey you ever did see?
The redbird answered: You should be red like me. It’s such a bright color.
So Timmy went home and dyed himself red. (Remove the blue paper to reveal a red turkey.)

The following day as Timmy was strutting down the road he heard a green frog croak:
Ha, ha, ha! He, he, he!
You’re the funniest turkey I ever did see?
Timmy sadly replied: Oh, dear, oh, dear! Oh, me, oh, me!
Why am I the funniest turkey you ever did see?
The frog croaked: You should be green like me. Green is the color of life!
So what do you think Timmy did? That’s right! He went home and dyed himself green.
(Remove the red paper to reveal a green turkey.)

Timmy was strutting down the road a beautiful shade of green the next day when he heard a yellow cat say: Ha, ha, ha! He, he, he!
You’re the funniest turkey I ever did see!
Timmy answered: Oh, dear, oh, dear! Oh, me, oh, me!
Why am I the funniest turkey you ever did see?
The cat laughed and said: Who ever heard of a green turkey?
You should be yellow like me. It’s such a happy color.
Yes, you’re right! Timmy went home that night and dyed himself yellow. (Remove the green paper to reveal a yellow turkey.)

The next day Timmy was strutting down the road again when he heard a purple parrot squawk:
Ha, ha, ha! He, he, he!
You’re the funniest turkey I ever did see!
Timmy said: Oh, dear, oh, dear! Oh, me, oh, me!
Why am I the funniest turkey you ever did see?
The parrot squawked: Yellow’s no color for a turkey.
You should be purple like me. Purple is the color of royalty.
Timmy went home immediately and dyed himself purple. (Remove the yellow sheet of paper to reveal the purple turkey.)

Once again Timmy was walking down the road when he heard his turkey friends laughing. They said: Ha, ha, ha! He, he, he!
You’re the funniest turkey we ever did see!
Timmy cried and said: Oh, dear, oh, dear! Oh, me, oh, me!
Why am I the funniest turkey you ever did see?
The other turkeys replied: Who ever heard of a purple turkey?
You look so silly!
Timmy slowly walked home and as he walked he thought to himself, “I have dyed myself blue, red, green, yellow, and purple, and I have pleased no one.” Then he got a brilliant idea! He got all the bottles of dye and made all his feathers different colors. (Remove the purple sheet of paper to reveal the turkey with the colorful feathers.)
The next day as Timmy Turkey strutted down the road everyone laughed and cheered!
Ha, ha, ha! He, he, he!
You’re the most beautiful turkey we ever did see!
And that’s why you always see turkeys with beautiful tail colors!

Timmy Turkey Download
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljdVlScjd2UlZzdGc/view?usp=sharing

Note! To make the final turnkey I cut little feathers and glued them to make a collage as shown.


OWATAGOOSIAM
This next story is a tell and draw story. After you do it several times invite the children to retell the story and draw along with you.

Once there was a little old lady who lived out in the country.

Her house was shaped like an oval. (head)

It had a little window that was a circle. (eye)

She had a garden beside her house. (beak)

And she planted seeds there.

Near her house there was a lake. (body)

And there was a little island in the lake. (wing)

Campers from the city would come and pitch tents by the lake. (feet)

They would walk to the lake to look at the fish in the water. (legs)

They would also watch the geese on the island.

But the people made so much noise they scared the geese and away they flew. (feathers)

The little old lady heard all the commotion and went down to the lake to see what was going on. (neck)

What do you think she saw?

When she got home she laughed and said, “OWA TAGOO SIAM!”

Say this faster and faster and it will sound like, “Oh, what a goose I am!”

GOTTA JOKE FOR YOU!

If you’ve got a minute to spare, I’ve got some jokes for you. Yes, you can count these as using “instructional time” because you can integrate phonological awareness and double meanings of words. You might want to write one each day on the board and discuss it at morning meeting. It’s also good to tell these multiple times because it will take some of your kiddles a while to “get it.”

Knock, knock!
Who’s there?

Gladys.Gladys who?
Gladys Thanksgiving, aren’t you?

Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Harry.
Harry who?
Harry up, I’m hungry!

Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Aida.
Aida who?
Aida let you in if I knew it was you.

Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Dewey.
Dewey who?
Dewey have to wait long to eat?

Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Arthur.
Arthur who?
Arthur any leftovers?

Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Waddle.
Waddle who?
Waddle I do without you?

What kind of music did the Pilgrims Like?
Plymouth Rock

What key won’t open any door?
A turkey.

Why was the turkey the drummer in the band?
Because he had drumsticks.

Why did the turkey cross the road?
It was the chicken’s day off.

Why did the chewing gum cross the road?
It was stuck on the turkey’s foot.

Which side of the turkey has the most feathers?
The outside.

What do you find at the end of Thanksgiving?
The letter ‘G.’

What always comes at the beginning of parades?
The letter ‘P’.

If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?
Pilgrims

NOVEMBER HAPPIES

Carolyn Kisloski and I are grateful for YOU, and that’s why we’d like to give you a free copy of our NOVEMBER HAPPIES. You’ll find handshakes, cheers, attention grabbers, and finger plays with a QR code where I demonstrate them. We’ve got activities for beginning writers, days of the week, math, reading, and science, plus a special idea for Veteran’s Day. 

Here's a link so you'll be all set for a NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER!

 

03-November

https://bit.ly/drJFreeNov

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GRATITUDE ATTITUDE

It's November, and the perfect time of year to nurture a GRATITUDE ATTITUDE in our students - and ourselves! In studies of successful people, gratitude is frequently a characteristic that comes up. Gratitude is an emotion of expressing appreciation for what you have, rather than what you don’t have. Psychology Today reports that gratitude can be cultivated and it can increase levels of happiness when you do. Energy, optimism, and empathy are by-products of gratitude.


Model Gratitude
Make it a habit to include things you appreciate into daily conversations.


Brainstorm
What does it mean to be thankful? Write children’s responses on the board. What are some synonyms for thankful?


Gratitude Journal
Make a special journal for each child to use during the month of November. Several times a week ask them to draw, list, or write sentences about things they are grateful for.
*I used copy paper and wallpaper cut in 9” x 12” rectangles to make my journal. Take five sheets of paper and fold in half. Center on the wallpaper and sew down the middle. (You can do this by hand, or maybe there is a parent or grandparent with a machine who would do this for you.) It makes a lovely book.

      

Thankful Board
Designate a bulletin board or poster in the hall as your “thankful board.” Children can attach sticky notes or draw pictures of things they are thankful for throughout the month.

Gratitude Box
Cut a hole in the top of a shoebox and decorate. Place on a shelf along with paper and pencils. Children write things they are thankful for and place them in the box. When you have a few extra minutes, select notes and read them to the class.


Tell Me Something GOOD
Start the day by going around the room and asking each child to say something they are thankful for.


End with Something GOOD
Clap and slap thighs as you say this chant to end your day:
Hey, hey, what do you say?
What happened good at school today?


Hot Potato Pass
Children sit or stand in a circle and begin passing the hot potato (ball or other small object) around. When the music stops or when the teacher blows a whistle the child holding the potato must say one thing they are thankful for.


Charity
Find a project in your community that your class can do to help others.

P.S.  Here's a video I did several years ago where I demonstrate activities for November.

http://bit.ly/happiesNovember

GOOD OLD DAYS

Teachers all over the USA are thankful that this is a short week! Forget "skills" and give your children some special memories. Here is a song memory from when I was little girl many, many years ago. It's still a great song and a meaningful way to compare/contrast and talk an about the "olden days."

Over the River
(Traditional Tune)
Over the river and through the woods (Pretend to hold reins of a sleigh
To grandmother’s house we go. and drive as you bounce up and down.)
The horse knows the way (Put hands behind back and nod
To carry the sleigh like a horse.)
Through the white and drifted snow.
Over the river and through the woods, (Pretend to drive sleigh.)
Oh, how the wind does blow. (Wrap arms around self and shiver.)
It stings your toes and bites your nose (Touch nose and point to toes.)
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 (Pull down on train whistle.)
We might take a plane. (Fly hand like a plane in the air.)
Or maybe a bus or car. (Hold out right hand, then left.)
Through low valleys and mountains high (Look down low and then up.)
Now, grandmother’s house I spy. (Hand over eyes.)
Hurrah, for the fun! (One fist in the air.)
Is the turkey done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie! (Cheer with other fist.)

Comparisons – 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? How are they different?


Graphs – Make a graph of how they will travel to their Thanksgiving dinner. Car? Plane? Train? Bus? Boat? Stay at home!


Olden Days
Bring in a rotary phone, typewriter, record player, and camera. (A note to parents might help you find one of these.) Talk about how they were used when their grandparents were kids. What do we use now instead?
*Hint! I think it's important for children to know what these items are because most of the books copyrighted before 2000 have pictures or reference them.

                                               

                           

THANKFUL BOOKS

Are you working on lesson plans today? Here are some books to encourage the "authors" in your classroom this week. These are a good example of what I call a "rabbit trap." Children will want to write in them, read them, and then take them home and share them with their families.

Napkin Book
Purchase seasonal napkins at the dollar store. Cut paper (4-36 sheets) the size of the napkin and staple it inside. Children can draw pictures and write about what they are thankful for.

Paper Plate Book
You'll need paper plates, blank paper, and pipe cleaners (cut in half) to make this book. Cut 8" circles out of the blank paper. Put 4 sheets of the blank paper between the two paper plates, punch a hole at the top, and bind with a pipe cleaner. Children can draw favorite foods or write what they are thankful for in this book.
*Younger children could cut out foods they like from magazines or grocery store flyers.

Thanksgiving Journal
Children can make this book and then use it over the holidays to record what they do. For each book you will need 2 sheets of white paper, a sheet of construction paper, a plastic fork, and a rubber band. Place the white paper on top of the construction paper and fold in half. Punch two holes 3" from the top on bottom on the creased side as shown. Insert the rubber band in one whole and loop the end of the fork through it. Insert the other end of the rubber band through the other hole and secure the fork.
Hint! Large plastic forks and skinny rubber bands work best.

We Give Thanks
(Tune: “Michael Row Your Boat Ashore”)
We give thanks for food we eat.
Hallelujah.
We give thanks for food we eat
Hallelujah.
We give thanks for families…
We give thanks for friends so dear…
We give thanks for all the earth…

*Let children suggest other things they are thankful for and insert the words in the song.

Here is a link to run off the above book.
drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2007/11_Nov/1booksNov/weGiveThanks.pdf

GRATITUDE ATTITUDE

It's November, and the perfect time of year to nurture a GRATITUDE ATTITUDE in our students - and ourselves! In studies of successful people, gratitude is frequently a characteristic that comes up. Gratitude is an emotion of expressing appreciation for what you have, rather than what you don’t have. Psychology Today reports that gratitude can be cultivated and it can increase levels of happiness when you do. Energy, optimism, and empathy are by-products of gratitude.

Model Gratitude
Make it a habit to include things you appreciate into daily conversations.

Brainstorm
What does it mean to be thankful? Write children’s responses on the board. What are some synonyms for thankful?

Gratitude Journal
Make a special journal for each child to use during the month of November. Several times a week ask them to draw, list, or write sentences about things they are grateful for.
*I used copy paper and wallpaper cut in 9” x 12” rectangles to make my journal. Take five sheets of paper and fold in half. Center on the wallpaper and sew down the middle. (You can do this by hand, or maybe there is a parent or grandparent with a machine who would do this for you.) It makes a lovely book.

      

Thankful Board
Designate a bulletin board or poster in the hall as your “thankful board.” Children can attach sticky notes or draw pictures of things they are thankful for throughout the month.

Gratitude Box
Cut a hole in the top of a shoebox and decorate. Place on a shelf along with paper and pencils. Children write things they are thankful for and place them in the box. When you have a few extra minutes, select notes and read them to the class.

Tell Me Something GOOD
Start the day by going around the room and asking each child to say something they are thankful for.

End with Something GOOD
Clap and slap thighs as you say this chant to end your day:
Hey, hey, what do you say?
What happened good at school today?

Hot Potato Pass
Children sit or stand in a circle and begin passing the hot potato (ball or other small object) around. When the music stops or when the teacher blows a whistle the child holding the potato must say one thing they are thankful for.

Charity
Find a project in your community that your class can do to help others.

GRATEFUL FOR FAMILY TIES

I'm GRATEFUL to Laura Pearson for sharing these meaningful activities that can help us create special family memories.

Cultivate Family Ties with Engaging Home Projects

The hustle and bustle of contemporary life often pushes quality family moments to the backseat. Yet, the very space one calls home offers abundant opportunities for families to bond, learn, and create. Delving into home improvement activities not only embellishes one's surroundings but also forges stronger familial links. Embarking on these projects means more than just refining manual skills; it represents the fusion of shared moments and mutual growth. This guide from Dr. Jean and Friends offers some great ideas!

Chalkboard Canvas

Every household needs a central point of communication. By turning a plain surface into a chalkboard area using special paint, families can establish an interactive zone. Here, weekly schedules, playful sketches, or essential reminders can be penned down. Not only does this innovative space keep everyone in sync, but it also offers a platform for artistic expressions.

A Wall of Moments

Having a designated space to display photographs and mementos infuses warmth into a home. By crafting a dedicated memory wall, families can revisit treasured instances, ranging from celebratory events to simple daily joys. This evolving visual storybook not only serves as a testament to love and growth but also keeps past adventures alive, fueling conversations and reminiscences.

Digital Record Keeping

In the midst of acquiring materials for various tasks, one often finds themselves inundated with paper receipts. By taking the step to transition into a digital realm, and realizing that then you can scan a document, there's an opportunity to bring order and efficiency to these records. Ensuring timely access to historical purchases, adeptly monitoring expenses, and promoting environmentally conscious habits become effortless. Embracing these innovative solutions amplifies the efficiency of everyday activities.

Collaborative Constructs

Working on a mutual construction project can be both fulfilling and educational. For instance, creating a bespoke bookshelf requires planning, measurement, and assembly. Families can engage in brainstorming sessions, decide on designs, and then collaboratively bring their vision to life. Such undertakings foster unity and result in a functional artifact that serves as a reminder of shared efforts.

Crafting Candles

Diving into the world of homemade candles can be a delightful sensory experience. Families can explore various fragrances, colors, and molds to produce bespoke creations. These self-made luminaries not only add ambiance to the home but can also serve as thoughtful presents for acquaintances. Engaging in such artistic ventures encourages creativity and offers a chance to learn a new skill.

Indoor Gardens

Introducing a hint of green indoors can be both therapeutic and instructive. Starting an in-house herb garden is a venture that all family members can participate in. From selecting plants to understanding their care requirements, it's a journey of discovery. As the greens thrive, they provide not just aesthetic appeal but also fresh culinary ingredients, making meals even more special.

Reviving Furnishings

Every home has furnishings that may be worn out or outdated. Instead of discarding them, families can team up to give these items a new lease on life. By repurposing and renovating these pieces, not only is there an environmental benefit, but it also instills a sense of accomplishment. Each revamped item becomes a testament to teamwork and innovation.

Entrepreneurial Initiatives

When multiple home improvements yield visibly impressive results, it may inspire families to consider a broader horizon. Launching a home-focused business can be an exciting joint venture. From brainstorming services to setting objectives, this entrepreneurial plunge can be both challenging and rewarding. It's about harnessing cstrengths and navigating the business world as a united front.

Integrating these home projects into routine family activities achieves a dual purpose: beautifying living spaces and nurturing family relationships. From innovative communication walls to joint business aspirations, these endeavors underscore the values of collaboration, innovation, and shared growth. With hands-on projects waiting to be explored, families have a plethora of opportunities to weave memories and fortify their bonds.

THANK A VET!

Veteran’s Day is November 11th, but we should thank our veterans every day! One teacher told me that she taught her children how to recognize veterans by their hat or clothing. Whenever they see a veteran they go up, shake their hand, and say, "Thank you!" You can't teach your students anything more important than that!!!

Veteran’s Day
(Tune: “Danny Boy”)
Today’s the day we celebrate our veterans,
The men and women who fought for our great land.
We’ll raise our flags and hold a moment of silence
And we will carry poppies in our hands.
Because we want to thank you for your service;
You traveled far to keep us safe at home.
You fought with pride and honor for our country.
Our veterans, oh how we love you so.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV_UrfgjvRI

Vocabulary – What is a veteran? For homework, have children interview their parents to find out about veterans in their family.

Here is a bulletin board from Carolyn Kisloski's school. The children fill out stars for each veteran in their family and then make a "Wall of Thanks" to honor them.


Poppies – Take three 7” circles cut out of red tissue paper and fold them like a fan. Twist a green pipe cleaner around the middle. Open layers to resemble a poppy. Do a search on the internet to discover why the poppy is symbol for Veteran’s Day.

Guest Speaker – Call a local military recruiting office and invite a guest speaker to share with the children what it’s like to have a job in the armed forces.

Letters to the Armed Forces
Here's a website where you can get information about writing letters to current military members and veterans. What a great way to show appreciation for our servicemen and women!
https://www.operationgratitude.com/writeletters/

If you missed my Facebook Live with activities for November you can watch it here:
http://bit.ly/happiesNovember

NOVEMBER JOKES

If you’ve got a minute to spare, I’ve got some jokes for you. Yes, you can count these as using “instructional time” because you can integrate phonological awareness and double meanings of words. You might want to write one each day on the board and discuss it at morning meeting. It’s also good to tell these multiple times because it will take some of your kiddles a while to “get it.”

Knock, knock!
Who’s there?

Gladys.Gladys who?
Gladys Thanksgiving, aren’t you?

Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Harry.
Harry who?
Harry up, I’m hungry!

Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Aida.
Aida who?
Aida let you in if I knew it was you.

Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Dewey.
Dewey who?
Dewey have to wait long to eat?

Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Arthur.
Arthur who?
Arthur any leftovers?

Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Waddle.
Waddle who?
Waddle I do without you?

What kind of music did the Pilgrims Like?
Plymouth Rock

What key won’t open any door?
A turkey.

Why was the turkey the drummer in the band?
Because he had drumsticks.

Why did the turkey cross the road?
It was the chicken’s day off.

Why did the chewing gum cross the road?
It was stuck on the turkey’s foot.

Which side of the turkey has the most feathers?
The outside.

What do you find at the end of Thanksgiving?
The letter ‘G.’

What always comes at the beginning of parades?
The letter ‘P’.

If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?
Pilgrims