Christmas Day Three - Olive the Other Reindeer

Reading
Preparation
Get book Olive, the Other Reindeer
Get a wand.  I use a craft stick with a star on the end.
Materials
Book
Wand
Teaching
1. Read book to your child.
2. Turn to a page in the book and use your wand to point out letters in the words, words in the sentence, spaces between words, punctuation at the end of the sentence.
3.Hand over the wand and have your child point out letters, words, spaces, punctuation, etc.

Phonics
Preparation
Book Olive, the Other Reindeer
Materials
Book
Marker or wand
Teaching
1. Show child page in the book.
Make it a game to find the following words: "the, of, is, and" (these are called high frequency words so we want to teach our children to memorize them)

2. Use the marker to circle the words, or the wand to point to the words.

Writing
Preparation
Using large dotted line paper (you can have a word doc copy of my paper I print out by emailing me at amyiswrite@gmail.com) write a capital "O" on the first line and a lower case "o" on the second line.
On the following lines write: l_ck, r_ck, d_g, f_g, h_g, h_p, m_p, d_t, h_t, p_t
Materials
Teaching

1. Teach child correct formation of letter "O" both upper-and lower case.

2. Have child write the letter "O" in the open space of each unfinished word to create a new word.

3.Read the new word created.

4. On a separate piece of paper write "I would help Santa by" and let child complete the sentence verbally.

5. Write what child said on paper, then have child illustrate the sentence.

Math
Preparation
Cut out 5 Christmas trees out of green paper.  Using Christmas stickers place 1-4 stickers on each tree. Write the number 5 on each tree.
Materials
Trees
Stickers
Teaching
1. Tell your child these trees don't have enough ornaments on them.  They each need 5 ornaments. 
2. Have your child add the remaining number of stickers to each tree to make 5 ornaments on the tree.

Exploration
Preparation
For exploration this week we are doing kind things for others. We visited and sang in a nursing home.


Art
Preparation
Prep materials
Materials
Brown piece of paper
white piece of paper
child safety scissors
markers
glue stick
Teaching

1. Trace, or have your child trace their foot on to the brown piece of paper.
2. Have your child trace their hands on to the white piece of paper.
3. Have your child cut out hand and foot prints.
4. Have your child glue hand prints to footprints to create a reindeer head and antlers.

5.Have child draw a nose and eyes to finish reindeer face.

Christmas Day Two - The Night Before Christmas

Reading
Preparation
Get book The Night Before Christmas
Materials
Book
Teaching
1.Read book to child.
2.Read book again, only this time, have your child act out the poem as you read it.

Phonics
Preparation

Write the poem, The Night Before Christmas." If you don't want to write it out, email me amyiswrite@gmail.com and I will send you a word doc of the one I wrote out, so you can skip this long step in prep
write the rhyming words on pieces of paper, and cut them into individual words

Poem
Marker
Paper divided into two sections, "twins" and "jail"
rhyming words
glue stick
Teaching
1. Read poem to your child and circle the rhyming words in the poem (you can circle, or your child can circle, your choice).
2. You don't need to do the entire poem, gauge your child's interest.  My son lasted about 1/2 way before he was done circling.  That's fine.  Stop before it becomes a chore.
3. Show the rhyming words to your child.  Line them up, one above the other so that the rimes align.
4. Ask, "Are these rhymes spelled the same, or are they different?"
5. If they are the same, your child glues them under "twins."  If they are different your child glues them in "jail."

Writing
Preparation
Using large dotted line paper, write a capital "N" on the first line and a lower case "n" on the second line.  On other lines write the following rimes: ab, ag, ap, est, et, ib, ip, od, ot, ub, un, ut
Materials
paper
pen
markers, etc
Teaching
1. Teach your child proper formation of the letter "N" both upper-and lower case.
2. Have your child add the letter 'N" to each rime to create a new word, word the word with your child.
3. On a separate piece of paper write, "If I met Santa I would"
4.  Have your child tell you what they would do if they met Santa.  finish the sentence, writing what your child told you.
5.  Have your child illustrate the sentence.


Math
Preparation
Draw a stocking on a piece of paper with sharp corners.  Placing another piece of paper behind your paper with the stocking.  Cut out stocking, so you have two exact copies. Cut the second stocking into about 5-7 shapes of triangles, rectangles, and squares.
Materials
Stocking
Pieces
glue stick.
Teaching
1. Tell your child that this is an empty stocking that Santa needs to fill.
2.Show the shapes to your child, have your child name the shapes.
3.Tell your child the shapes are presents for the stocking, and they need to help Santa fit all the presents into the stocking.
4. Have child rearrange shapes in stocking until they all fit, then have child glue pieces into the stocking.


Exploration
Preparation
For Christmas, all our Explorations are about doing kids things for other people.  Find a way to give gifts of kindness and services with your child.  Our church was buying presents for a homeless shelter so we signed up and I let my son help pick out a gift for the shelter.

Art
Preparation
Draw a picture, or print out a simple picture of Santa.
Materials
Santa picture
Crayons or markers
Cotton balls
Glue
Teaching
1. Have child color Santa's face and hat
2.Have child glue cotton balls on to beard and hat rim.

Christmas Day One - Nativity

Reading
Preparation
Choose a simple children's book, or a few, that are about the First Christmas.  See my list of Christmas books for my favorites.  You can also read from the Bible Luke chapter 2 verses 1-20. and Matthew chapter 2 verses 1 through 12. Here is a link to the King James Version online for Luke (shepherds) and Matthew (wisemen).  Draw or print out small pictures of the naativity. Tape these to popsicle sticks to form puppets.
Materials
Bble, and/or natvity books
Nativity pictures (mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, wise men, shepherds, angel, king herod)
Markers, etc.
Popsicle sticks
Teaching
1. Read the stories.  I like to read and explain the Bible verses, and then read the Nativity books and explain as we go, how they relate to the Bible story.
2.  Child can color pictures.
3. Have your child retell the story of Jesus' birth using the puppets.  You can help encourage by holding up a puppet, asking (or telling if they forgot) who it is, and how they belong in the story.
4. Have your child put on the puppet show for relatives at Christmas, siblings, etc.

Phonics
Preparation
Write the word "Christmas" then cut into individual letters.
Materials
Letters, cut up
Teaching
1. Tell your child that all these letters together make a word that is special at this time of year.
Say the following:
1. Make the word "as."
2.  Add a letter and make the word "has."
3. Change the last letter to make the word "hat."
4.  CHange the first letter to make the word "cat."
5. CHange the first letter to make the =word "rat."

6.  Change the first letter to make the word "sat."
7. Change the first letter to make the word "mat."
8. Change the last letter to make "mas," the end of our special word.
9.  The rest of the letters make the word that Christmas is all about. (slowly spell out "Christ" and sound it out for your child).
10.  This is the word "Christ" because our special word (put "Christ" and "mas" together) form the word CHristmas, and CHristmas is all about that Jesus Chrust was born!

Writing
Preparation
Using large dotted line paper, write a capital "C" on first line, lower case "c" on second line
write the following rimes on the lines below: ab, an, ap, at, op, ot, up
Materials
Teaching

1.Teach your child proper formation of the letter "C" both upper and lower case.
2. Have your child practice writing the letter C in front of each rime, creating a new word.
3.  On a separate paper write "If I was at the First Christmas"
4.  Have your child complete the sentence verbally, while you write down what they say.
5.  Have child illustrate the sentence.


Math
Preparation
Draw or print 20-30 sheep.
Materials
Sheep
Die (one dice)
Teaching
1. Put sheep in a pile.
2. First person rolls, die, and takes that amount of sheep.
3.Second person rolls die and takes the amount of sheep shoen on die.
4. Players continue playing until sheep are gone.
5. Players count their sheep to see who has the biggest flock, and wins. You can watch a video of my kids playing it here.

Exploration
Preparation
Our entire Christmas exploration will be about serving others.  Find ways to help your child serve others.  We made treats for our cousins, one in the military, one on a mission, and sent them to them for Christmas. You can make a treat and send or give it to someone.


Art
Preparation
Prep Materials
Materials
Paper
Markers, crayons, etc
Teaching
1. Have your child draw a picture of baby Jesus.

Jan Brett Day Three - Gingerbread Baby

Reading

Preparation

Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett. 

Go to Jan Brett website and size, print out and tape the following animals to craft sticks: dog, pig, goat, cat,  gingerbread baby,(These are printable as big masks, so I copy, size in a word document to smaller, then print) gingerbread house.  Draw a mom and dad and tape them to craft sticks

Materials
Teaching
1. Read book to child
2. Using puppets (characters on craft sticks) have child retell the story of the gingerbread a baby.

Writing
Preparation

On large dotted paper write capital "G" on first line, lower case "g" on second line. On subsequent lines write: ag, et, ig, ill, ot, um, ut

Materials

Paper

Pen or pencil

Teaching

1.Teach child proper formation of capital- and lower case "G."

2. Have child add "g" to each rime ("ag," "et," etc)

 to create new word.
3.Have child read each new word as they create it.

Phonics
Preparation
Write the following: cat, dog, goat, pig, fox, milk, cheese, baby, mother, father, Martha, cookbook, Matti, candy, gingerbread, Madeline, peppermint. Cut out each word
Divide a piece of paper into thirds.  At top of first column write "1," second column :2,: third column "3"
Materials
words
Columned paper

glue stick

Teaching

1. Clap out the syllables in each word with your child.

2. Have child glue the word in the column with number representing the syllables in word (cat, dog, etc go under column labeled one, and so on)

3. See if your child can clap out syllables on their own.

Math

Preparation

Get materials together

Materials

60 plastic bricks (Lego's, etc)

Die (one dice)

Teaching
1. Each person rolls the die and takes that many plastic blocks, linking them together.
2. When you have a stick of 10 blocks, start creating a new stick.
3.The winner is the person who has three sticks of ten, or 30 blocks.

Exploration
Preparation
Get ingredients to make a gingerbread cookie
Write steps to making cookie on pieces of paper with a picture (see example below)

Materials
Ingredients to make a gingerbread cookie
Teaching
1. With your child make a gingerbread man.  (We made an extra large gingerbread baby)
2. Make connections to the book as you measure, mix, pour and bake without peeking!


Art
Preparation
Make icing, gather together small candies, etc.
Materials
gingerbread cookie
icing
candies, etc
Teaching
1. Decorate your gingerbread baby with your child!

My Allergy free Gingerbread Cookie recipe
Sift together:
1/2 cup rice flour
1/2 cup single grain oatmeal (baby food oatmeal)
1/2 cup single grain rice cereal (baby food)
3/4 tsp xanthan gum
2 TBSP Potato starch
1tsp Ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp salt
In a separate bowl cream together:
6 TBSP shortening
6 TBSP brown sugar
4 TBSP Molasses
2 TBSP applesauce
1 TBSP Water
1 1/2 tsp Egg replacer

1.  Mix dry ingredients into wet.
2.  Line cookie pan with tin foil. Put dough on baking sheet.
3. Cover dough with wax paper and roll out.
4.   Carefully cut out cookies, pulling away excess dough.   DO NOT TRY TO LIFT COOKIES!!
5.  Bake 350 for 10-12 minutes.
6.  Cool and decorate!
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda

**This week we are using books by the same author/illustrator, Jan Brett, and will begin each day with reading the book**

Don't forget to do your Daily 4

1.Alphabet

2.  Numbers to 100

3. Child Reading

4. Read to your child at least 5 books (Gingerbread Baby counts as one!)

Jan Brett Day Two - The Hat

Reading
Preparation
Get the book The Hat by Jan Brett
Create a mini book - make 2 mini books, gluing the covers together to create a longer mini book.
On each page of the book write _______ has a hat.
Print out animals from the Jan Brett website,size to fit mini book, print, and cut out
Materials
Mini Book
animals
markers or crayons
pen

Teaching
1. Read the book The Hat to child.
2. Read mini book to child. Have them choose an animal, paste it to the page. Write animal in the blank.
3. Have child draw a hat on animal.
4. Have child read the book to you, to a sibling,to a stuffed animal, etc.
5.Keep with other mini books, in an easily accessible place for your child.

Phonics
Preparation
Make a small poster with two boxes on it.  Label the top box "Words" and the lower box "Jail"
Draw bars on the "jail"
on a sticky note write "at"
On separate sticky notes write all consonants, and the following "fl," "st," "pl," "th," "tr," "ch," "cr," "dr," "br," "sp"
Materials
Poster
sticky notes
Teaching
1. Put a consonant or onset ("st,"etc) in front of "at."
2. Have your child sound out the word.

3.If it makes an actual word, put it in the word box. If it doesn't make a word put it in "jail."


Writing
Preparation
Using large dotted line paper write a capital "H" on first line and a lower case "h" on second line. On other lines write the following rimes: ad, ag, am, at, en, id, ill, ip, op, ot, ub, ug, um, ut 
Materials
paper
pen or pencil
Teaching
1. Teach child how to properly form capital- and lower case H
2. Have child add an "H" to each rime and sound out new word they created

Math
Preparation
Remove face cards from a deck of cards
Materials
deck of cards
Teaching
1. Play War with child.
2.Shuffle and divide deck between the two of you.
3. Turn over top card at same time as child.
4.Whoever has highest card wins both cards.  If there is a tie go again, winner takes all four (or six, etc) cards.
5.Winner of game is person with most cards.


Art
Preparation
Cut out hat shape from construction paper
Materials
Hat cut from paper
markers, crayons, etc
glue, glitter
stickers, etc
Teaching
1. Have child decorate hat

**This week we are using books by the same author/illustrator, Jan Brett, and will begin each day with reading the book**

Don't forget to do your Daily 4

1.Alphabet

2.  Numbers to 100

3. Child Reading

4. Read to your child at least 5 books (The Mitten counts as one!)

Jan Brett - Day 1 The Mitten

**This week we are using books by the same author/illustrator, Jan Brett, and will begin each day with reading the book**

Don't forget to do your Daily 4

1.Alphabet

2.  Numbers to 100

3. Child Reading

4. Read to your child at least 5 books (The Mitten counts as one!)

Reading

Preparation

Get Book The Mitten by Jan Brett

Materials

The Mitten by Jan Brett

Teaching

1.  You are going to go on a "Picture Walk." A picture walk is when you look at the pictures in a book and make predictions about what is happening in the book, what may happen next, etc. Here is a video of how I took a picture walk with my son.

2.  Now read the book together.

Phonics

Preparation

Pictures of the mitten and the animals in the mitten (mole, rabbit, hedgehog, owl, badger, fox, bear, mouse) - these can be found at Jan Brett's website.
Make two copies of mitten, tape together around the edges.
Cut out animals

Materials

* Mitten

* Animals

Teaching

1.  You are going to give rhymes for the different animals.  When you give the rhyme your child needs to find the animals that goes with that rhyme.

2.  Say, "Look in the hole you might find a ______ (mole). Child finds mole in group of animal and puts it in the mitten.

3.  Make it a habit to look for the ______ (rabbit).  Child finds rabbit in group of animals and puts it in the mitten.
4.  Say, "Do you like tickles?  Find the animal with _____ (prickles - hedgehog). Child finds hedgehog in group of animals and puts it in the mitten.
5. Say, "A bird is a fowl, can you find the ____(owl). Child finds the owl and puts it in the mitten.
6.  Say, "It is dark and it is light, find the animal that's black and _____ (white - badger). Child finds badger and puts it in the mitten.
7.  Say, "Loon in a big brown box, you may find a little ___ (fox). Child finds fox and puts it in the mitten.

8. Say, "Use a brush to brush your hair, then you can find the ____ (bear)." Child finds bear and puts it in the mitten.
9. Say, "Look outside or in the house, then you can find the ____ (mouse)." Child finds mouse and puts it in the mitten.

Writing

Preparation

 Using dotted line paper (for a copy of dotted line paper I've made email me @ amyiswrite@gmail.com) write a capital "M" on the top line, a lower case 'm' on second line, then creating a space foe the letter "m" write the following on the remainder of page: -ad, -an, -ap, -at, -en, -et, -ill, -ink, -it, -ock, -op, -uck

Materials

"M" page created above

Marker

Teaching

1. Teach your child how to form upper and lower case letter "M." For how I teach this watch video for upper case "M" and lower case "m."

2. Read "-ad." Have your child add the "m" and sound out the word "mad."

3.  Repeat for each group of letters creating the words man, map, etc..

Math

Preparation

Use the same mitten and animals you used for phonics.  On four small pieces of paper write the numbers 5, 12, 23, 36

Materials

Mitten

Animals

Small pieces of paper

Teaching

1.  Put the small pieces of paper in the mitten.

2.  Have your child pull out one of the small pieces of paper.

3.  Using the animals count on to the number.  For example, if your number is "5" say "Five," then add the bear and say "Six," add the rabbit and say "seven." Continue with the rest of the animals.

**Counting on to various numbers is an educational standard for kindergarten, so you may need to help your child at first.**

Exploration

Preparation

Get yarn

Materials

Yarn

Teaching

1.  You will teach your child to finger crochet a bracelet.  If you aren't sure how to finger crochet watch my video here (my blog is cursed that videos don't play here).

Art

Preparation

Cut 2 mitten shapes out of a piece of construction paper. Using a hole punch, punch holes around the mitten.

Tape the end of a piece of yarn. Tie the untaped piece of yarn to the mitten.

Materials

Mitten cut out

Yarn

Markers, glue, glitter, etc

Yarn

Teaching

1.  Have your child "sew" the two mittens together through the cut out holes using the taped yarn. 

2.  When child is done, tie the yarn off and allow child to decorate the mitten.. 

Holiday Books - Christmas & Hannukah

Christmas Books

My Favorites:

Santa Mouse by Michael Brown

This is a favorite from my childhood.  This book sat near the fireplace  at my grandmother's house and every year I would read sit on her blue velvet couch and read this book.  This book brings me back to some of my fondest memories.

 I opened up my box of Christmas books this year, and this book was missing.  I plan on a thorough search of all my boxes, and if I can't find it, I'll have to find a copy.

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsberg

This is a great book.  Every child would love to ride the Polar Express.  I'm sure my children listen just as intently for this train's whistle as they do for Santa's sleigh bells.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

Classic! Every year I start to become a little Grinch-like as I think of all the unimportant To-Do's that surround the holiday, so this is a good book to remind me that Christmas doesn't come in a box, but is felt in the love we share.

Olive, the Other Reindeer by J. Otto Seibold

I love Olive. Please do not confuse this cute book with the awful Christmas special. Olive is a dog who believes in herself and makes things happen.

Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear by Stan & Jan Berenstain

Berenstain Bears do a great job of explaining things, including a visit to Santa Bear.

This is the Stable by Cynthia Cotten

Beautiful poem that explains in simple language the role of each person that First Christmas.

The Stable Where Jesus Was Born by Rhonda Gowler Greene

I love this book about the Nativity, too.  A poem that builds on itself.  Beautiful illustrations, beautiful poem, beautiful book.

Who is Coming to Our House by Joseph Slate

The animals in the stable prepare for Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus.

Christmas in the Manger by Nola Buck

Very simple, sweet explanation of the Nativity.  I love Felicia Bond's sweet, simple drawings.

More Christmas Books

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore

The Sweet Smell of Christmas by Patricia Scarry

The Christmas Magic by Lauren Thompson

If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Felicia Bond

The Gift of the Traveler by Wendy Matthews

Snowmen at Christmas by Carolyn and Mark Buehner

That First Night by B.G. Hennessey

Little Porcupine's Christmas by Joseph Slate

A Merry Little Christmas by Mary Engelbreit

Come and See: A Christmas Story by Monica Mayper

When Jesus Was Born in Bethlehem by Joseph Brickey

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathon Toomey by

Christmas Treasury  Compiled by Dalmatian Press

Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parrish 

Mooseltoe! by Margie Palatini

Santa and the Three Bears by Dominic Catalano

The Biggest Christmas Tree Ever by Steven Kroll

Christmas Mice by Bethany Roberts

Jingle Bell Mice Illustrated by Lisa McCue

The Littlest Christmas Tree by Janie Jasin

My Favorite Hanukkah Books

Yes, I have a few Hanukkah books, too. I kept these after I"retired from teaching" (became a stay at home mom) because they are great books! My kids love them and they are as much a part of our "Christmas Books" as How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric A. Kimmel My #1 favorite

The Chanukah Guest by Eric A. Kimmel I really love this book

The Magic Dreidels by Eric A. Kimmel

These are my favorite Chritmas books, what are yours? I'd love to hear about your favorite Christmas books, and Christmas memories.

Daily Four

I realized as I have written my blogs that I have written my specific lesson plans for preschool, but have omitted the very important things to do each day.  I'll call them "The Daily Four."  These are important to do everyday to help your child learn.They are:
1.  Review letters of alphabet, both upper and lower.  This may include flashcards, or an Alphabet poster.
2.  Counting to 100 with a poster of numbers to 100.  Point to each number as you say the number.  Have child point to number, too.
3.  Reading easy-reader books.  I make a lot of these as part of my preschool teaching.  Just hold on to them and have your child read them.  I also love BOB books.  I've seen BOB books at Costco for a great price.or you can go to amazon, eBay or your local teacher supply or bookstore.
4.  You read to your child at least FIVE books a day.  Read short books, poetry, holiday books (see my posts for favorite Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas books)

So those are my Daily Four. Make sure you do these in addition to posted lesson plans.  Good luck!
And remember, if you have any questions please leave a comment!

Thanksgiving - Day 3

Phonics
Preparation

Write word indian and cut up into individual letters
Materials
"indian"
Teaching
1.  Tell your child you have a secret word of the day.  Have them create the word in the following way:
in, din, an, dan, and, ad, then tell them how to spell "indian" and sound it out for child.

Writing

Preparation

Create on large dotted line paper:

Capital "I" on first line, with dotted out line of "I'

lower case "i" with dotted outline "i"

On the paper space in front of each group of letters room for "i" write k_ck, d_d, w_g, h_ll, f_n, S-nk, t_p, k_t

 Materials

Paper

Marker

Teaching

1.  Teach your child proper writing of letter "I" (See my video here)

2.  Teach your child proper handwriting of lower case "i" (my video for teaching is here)

3.  Read each set of letters to your child (for instance "k_ck") have your child write a "i" between the letters and sound out the new word.

4.  Repeat for new word.

Math

Preparation

Stamp various patterns on a piece of a paper
I did:
ABAB, AABB, AAB, ABB (or in other words: Pumpkin turkey, pumpkin turkey ABAB; Pumpkin, pumpkin, turkey, turkey AABB; pumpkin, pumpkin, turkey AAB, and pumpking, turkey, turkey ABB)
Leave extra lines for your child to create their own patterns

Materials

Paper
2 Thanksgiving Stamps (I did pumpkin and turkey)
Teaching
1.  Read each pattern. Have your child complete pattern to end of line. It is important that your child doesn't just add the next stamp, but actually iterates the complete pattern. ** The blue squiggles on picture below indicate where my pattern stopped and my son's began**

2. Have your child create patterns for you to finish.   

Reading

Preparation

Get a copy of book on First Thanksgiving for young children.  I couldn't find any that I liked, so I wrote my own. For a copy you can e-mail me.
Materials

Book

Teaching

1.  Read the book to your child

Art

Preparation

none

Materials

Brown, yellow, red, blackconstruction paper

Marker

Scissors

Glue or stapler

Teaching

1.  Using construction paper have your child cut out two thin rectangles to create a band for their head and decorate with markers.  You staple bands together to form head piece.  Draw feather shape on colored paper, have child cut out feathers.
2.  Make a pilgrim hat using a large black rectangle stapled on to head band of construction paper.

Exploration

Preparation

Reading Thanksgiving book 

Materials
Pilgrim and indian headbands made in art
Teaching
1.  Act out the first Thanksgiving with your child.  Make it VERY simple. 
2.  Have child wear pilgrim hat.  say something like, "The pilgrims left England because they wanted to worship God in their own way, not the king's way." Then have child say "We are going to a new land to worship." Say, "The pilgrims came to America" Have child say, "I see land!" Say, "The winter was hard and many pilgrims got sick." Have child act sick.  Say, "Many died."
3.  Have child wear indian headband, and you put on pilgrim headband. Say, "In spring the Native Americans (or Indians) came to help the pilgrims plant.  Have child say "PUt some fish with your seeds.  It helps them grow."  The seeds grew and grew and soon there was pleny of food.  The pilgrims wanted to hold a feast and invited the Native Americans to join them.  Thy feasted for three days. We celebrate Thanksgiving, just like the Pilgrims did, to Thank God for all He has given us."