First Grade Marks Thanksgiving with an Exploration of Gratitude

As faculty and students wrapped up their week in preparation for a week’s holiday in recognition of Thanksgiving, some Lower Schoolers learned how other cultures and communities express gratitude and shared what and how they celebrate. 

“First grade planned a unit to celebrate all that we are grateful for,” teacher Karrah Lewis explained. “We built connections with one another through sharing and noticing how we are alike and different in the ways we show appreciation for the joyful things in our lives. Today, for example, we added what we are grateful for to a “Tree of Thanks” in our classroom.

“We also learned how people around the world give thanks. For example, we learned that ‘Ostalihaliga’ is a Cherokee word that is used to express gratitude. Through a read-aloud, we took a journey through a year with a Cherokee family and their tribal nation as they express thanks for celebrations big and small.”