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Session 06: Thanksgiving Wonder

Overview

Grade: Kindergarten | Duration: 25 minutes | Session: 6 of 17

Students celebrate gratitude by creating a class thankfulness project, connecting scientific observation to appreciation for God's gifts.

Session 06: Thanksgiving Wonder

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Express gratitude for specific gifts from God

  • Create art representing thankfulness

  • Recognize that scientists study God's gifts

  • Share appreciation with others

Materials Needed

  • 📦 Large paper for class mural OR individual papers

  • 🎨 Crayons, markers, colored pencils

  • 📸 Nature photos from previous sessions (optional)

  • ✂️ Scissors (teacher use)

  • 🌿 Fall items: leaves, acorns, small pumpkins (optional)

Catholic Integration

Saint Connection

St. Thérèse of Lisieux — She found God in small, everyday things and was grateful for simple gifts!

Scripture

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." — Psalm 107:1

Opening Prayer

Dear God, we have so much to thank you for! Thank you for families, friends, food, and all the wonders we've discovered. Help us remember to say "thank you" every day. Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (4 minutes)

  1. Gratitude Moment — Go around: "One thing I'm thankful for is..."
  2. Review Our Year — "What have we discovered in C-STREAM?"
  3. God's world (nature)
  4. Building
  5. Light and colors
  6. Ramps and rolling
  7. Today's Project — "We're making a Thankfulness Mural!"

Main Activity: Thankfulness Mural (15 minutes)

Part 1: Brainstorm (3 minutes)

  • Categories of thankfulness:
  • 🌿 Nature (animals, plants, weather)
  • 👨‍👩‍👧 People (family, friends, teachers)
  • 🎁 Things (home, food, toys, school)

  • 💝 Feelings (love, happiness, safety)

  • Each student picks one thing to draw

Part 2: Create (10 minutes)

  • Students draw their thankful item

  • Add details and colors

  • Teacher helps write labels

  • Arrange on class mural paper

Part 3: Gallery Walk (2 minutes)

  • Admire the finished mural together

  • Point out each person's contribution

Wonder Journal (3 minutes)

  1. Draw something you're thankful for
  2. Add: "Thank you, God, for ___"

Closing Circle (3 minutes)

  1. Read the Mural — Teacher reads thankfulness labels
  2. Prayer of Thanks — Each child says: "Thank you, God, for..."
  3. Closing Prayer — "Dear God, our hearts are full of thanksgiving. Help us share our gratitude with others and take care of all your gifts. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Expressed specific gratitude

  • Contributed to class project

  • Participated in sharing

  • Showed appreciation for others' work

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Pre-draw outline for them to color

  • Offer choice of 3 things to draw

  • Work alongside a buddy

For Advanced Students

  • Write their own thankfulness sentence

  • Draw multiple thankful items

  • Help others with their drawings

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: Create a "Thankfulness Jar" at home. Each day, family members write or draw something they're grateful for. Read them together at Thanksgiving dinner!

Teacher Notes

  • Display the mural for parent viewing

  • Consider photographing for family newsletter

  • Save Wonder Journals to show growth over time

  • This is a good time for a "semester checkpoint"

Previous: Session 05 — Simple Machines
Next: Session 07 — Advent Light