Overthe River – 4th Thursday in November
(Traditional Tune– Happy Everything CD)
Over the river andthrough the woods (Pretendto hold reins of a sleigh
To grandmother’shouse we go. anddrive as you bounce up and down.)
The horse knowsthe way (Puthands behind back and nod
To carry thesleigh likea horse.)
Through the whiteand drifted snow.
Over the river andthrough the woods, (Pretendto drive sleigh.)
Oh, how the winddoes blow. (Wraparms around self and shiver.)
It stings yourtoes and bites your nose (Touchnose and point to toes.)
As over the groundwe go.
In sun or wind orrain.
We might go bytrain (Pulldown on train whistle.)
We might take aplane. (Flyhand like a plane in the air.)
Or maybe a bus orcar. (Holdout right hand, then left.)
Through lowvalleys and mountains high (Lookdown low and then up.)
Now, grandmother’shouse I spy. (Handover eyes.)
Hurrah, for thefun! (Onefist in the air.)
Is the turkeydone?
Hurrah for thepumpkin pie! (Cheerwith other fist.)
Comparisons – Usea Venn diagram to compare what it would be like to visit grandmother a longtime ago and how we visit now. Howare things the same?
Graphs – Make a graph of how they will travel to their Thanksgiving dinner. Car? Plane? Train? Bus? Boat? Stay at home!
Family Celebrations – Holidays are a good time to talk about diversity. Not all families celebrate Thanksgiving, but most families do celebrate something. Ask children to bring in photos or celebrations they have in their home. Put their pictures together to make a class book.
