The two days before Thanksgiving I subbed in a kindergarten class. Large sheets of cream colored paper, white paper plates, various colors of construction paper pre-cut into rectangles and one paper plate turkey model were laid out so I could instruct the children in a Thanksgiving craft.
As I organized the items for the activity, I thought about a section in Erika Christakis' book, The Importance of Being Little. She gave an impassioned plea for educators and parents to put down the worksheets and flashcards, ditch the tired craft projects (yes, the hand Thanksgiving turkey) and double-down on one simple word: play.
I knew it was important for me to change the focus of creating identical Thanksgiving turkeys and let the children "play" with their ideas. I gathered the children on the rug for a discussion about what they love most about Thanksgiving. Everyone (all 26 children) shared their ideas. The creativity was thrilling: Pilgrims, Indians, eating, no school, plates of food, blueberries, going to grandma's house, turkeys and more. I discretely put aside the paper plate turkey model and let the children play with their ideas.
Scissors, glue, and markers transformed paper plates and construction paper into unique, personal, creative, self-directed works of art. Some children even chose to come in from recess early to continue working on their project.
The most memorable project came from Leo who said, "I love thinking about animals at Thanksgiving." He put his all into creating a Thanksgiving giraffe.
The kindergarten children left school that day with a personalized Thanksgiving craft project. I left school that day with a greater appreciation and understanding that children are powerful, creative and inventive when given the opportunity to re-imagine their learning environment.
Our family will be enjoying roasted turkey for dinner on Thanksgiving, but we will express gratitude for every Thanksgiving giraffe.
Please read Marty's follow-up article "Why the Thanksgiving Giraffe Changes the World."
Happy Thanksgiving from Marbles Farm.
(Oh, and by the way, try to find the giraffe in the picture.)