Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Give Thanks for Each Day by Steve Metzger


Give Thanks for Each Day by Steve Metzger is a precious story that simply describes the true meaning of being thankful to the toddler,  preschool, and kindergarten set.


A few of the memorable "thankful"
antidotes depicted in the pages of the story include their crayons, a hug, and even snowflakes falling from the sky.


This book is a must read for the upcoming holiday. A true Thanksgiving classic!


Post Reading Activities


  • Write down the phrase "What I Am Thankful For" and then vertically write your child's name on a piece of paper. Help your child try to think of words that he is thankful for that begin with each letter of his name such as D for ducks, A for astronauts,  and N for nuts for the name "Dan". They can then illustrate their name poem by drawing a picture next to each letter of their name such as a duck next to the letter "D" or use colorful stickers. (This project is best for Kindergartners and up).
  • Make a "thankful quilt".  Paste pieces of multi-colored construction paper or scrapbook paper squares on a small piece of poster board. You or your child can take pictures of various things she is thankful for such as a beloved teddy bear using a digital camera. Print out the pictures and cut around the image. Glue the picture onto a "patchwork" square. Continue taking pictures of items that she is thankful for to fill up her quilt. Alternative ways to decorate her "thankful quilt": Use clip art, cut pictures from magazines, or draw items onto the patchwork squares.  (This project is for toddlers and up).
  • Sing the following songs found below: 



    Let's Be Thankful
    (Sung To: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)
    Let's be thankful for this day
    For our friends and our play
    Let's be thankful; let's be glad
    For our food and the things we have
    Let's give thanks for you and me
    And our home and family.

    Thank You Song
    (Sung To: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star)
    Thank you for the sun so bright,
    Thank you for the moon at night,
    Thank you for my family,
    Thanks for friends who play with me,
    Thanks for everything I see,
    I am thankful, yes siree 

    (Source of songs: http://www.everythingpreschool.com/themes/thanksgiving/songs.htm

    • Go to the grocery store and buy canned foods to give to a local food pantry. Many people will be thankful for your generous and yummy donations during the holiday season!

    I hope everyone has a happy and healthy holiday!