Classroom Tree of Thanksgiving

If there is one thing that I have noticed about children in this generation it is that they do not seem to be as grateful as children were from past generations. This is probably because America is richer than in previous generations and parents can afford to give their children more material items. Provision is not necessarily bad, if we continue to stress gratitude to students and make 'Thanksgiving' an important part of everyday life. Thanksgiving is the perfect time of year to start this great habit. Creating a tree of thanksgiving can begin to motivate students to recognize that there are many things in their lives to be thankful for.

You will need the following items:

1. Brown construction paper
2. Green construction paper
3. White construction paper
4. Red construction paper
5. Glue
6. Scissors
7. Markers
8. Sticky Tack

Follow the directions below to create your tree of thanksgiving:

1. Cut a tree trunk from brown construction paper.
2. Paste the tree trunk to the middle of the white construction paper background.
3. Cut out a large circle from green construction paper as the tree's leaves.
4. Glue the leaves on top of the trunk.
5. Cut as many apple shapes as you have students. If you have room you may want to give each student two apples.
6. Instruct your students to come up with one or two things they are thankful for this year. Have them use their markers to write their reason to give thanks on the apples.
7. Have each child glue their apple or apples to the tree.
8. Hang the tree of thanksgiving for the whole class to see.

This craft is best done after the Thanksgiving story is told. If you would like, you could read, Pilgrims First Thanksgiving by, Ann Mcgovern and Elroy Freem . It is available at Amazon.com brand new for $5.99 or $.04 for a used copy.