While some people enjoy celebrating Thanksgiving, there are many who don’t adhere to this celebration and view it as a problematic holiday.
There tends to be many misrepresentations when it comes to this holiday. For instance, Indigenous People are either left out of the historical aspects of our teaching or we use cute and misappropriated images of Indigenous People and their customs.
It is important to be culturally sensitive and to provide accurate information when teaching about Thanksgiving. You can do this alongside your students using the following steps.
Actionable Steps:
#1. Focus on the Land
Teach children about the Indigenous People who lived on this land before they were displaced. Look at whose land your school is built on. Teach them about giving thanks for the land. Then, spend time talking about how they can take care of the land by voting on an activity and doing it as a class. This is an excellent way of putting your learning into practice.
#2. Read Culturally Appropriate Books
Read books that are culturally appropriate for your students. Focus on our First People and how they give thanks.
Relate it to how your students give thanks now and what they can take from their learnings so that they form new traditions and habits of gratitude.
#3. Learn About The Words
Focus on specific words that arise when we talk about Thanksgiving so that it’s not new for your students when you have discussions. It can be done in a fun way with the following resource:
#4. Teach Gratitude
Explain to your students the importance of giving thanks and build a habit of gratitude by having students practice it on a daily basis.
You can do that with these ready to use writing prompts:
Recap:
Let’s recap really quickly. Today, we looked at the following:
- The importance of being respectful when celebrating Thanksgiving.
- How to celebrate Thanksgiving respectfully: focus on the land, read culturally appropriate books, learn about the words, and teach gratitude.
Free Resources:
If your children are struggling to hand in assignments on time, check out the following video training: 3 Steps to Teach Children How to Overcome Procrastination to Increase Productivity.
Next Steps:
For calm down areas on a budget, for your students who have autism, CLICK HERE.
If you found this video beneficial, would you do me a favor? Share this with your family, your friends, your loved ones, your co-workers or someone who you think could benefit from this. Thank you!
I’ll see you next Friday at 5:30pm PST.
Until I see you next time, remember to create, experience & teach from the heart.
Take care,
Charlotte
