Session 31: Thanksgiving Part of Chalice Children In This Section Introduction From Chalice Children Give thanks for the homes that with kindness are blessed... — Hymn 69, "Give Thanks," Singing the Living Tradition Preschoolers contribute to their family's Thanksgiving with a food they make in this session. They reflect on giving thanks and use the word "gratitude." If your congregation gathers... Session-at-a-Glance From Chalice Children Activity Minutes Activity 1. Free Play 15 Activity 2. Circle Rhymes Transition 5 Activity 3: Circle Time 5 Activity 4: Story 5 Activity 5: Something Good for the Table 15 Activity 6: Circle Games 10 Closing 5... Spiritual Preparation From Chalice Children Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. Can you remember the first time you cooked something for your family? How did it feel to be on the giving end of food preparation? To prepare sustenance for loved ones can generate feelings of love and pride.... Opening From Chalice Children Description of Activity In the Chalice Children program, sessions begin with Activity 1, Free Play rather than a formal Opening. The chalice is lit in Activity 3, Circle Time. Activity 1: Free Play From Chalice Children Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Name tags Variety of free play options, such as toys, a puzzle, a storybook, manipulatives, dramatic play props, and markers and paper Preparation for Activity Make name tags for the children you are expecting and set these out with a few extra bla... Activity 2: Circle Rhymes Transition From Chalice Children Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Circle Rhymes posters Preparation for Activity Display the Circle Rhymes posters from Session 1. Description of Activity Using the same songs and chants each week will help the children transition smoothly and predictably from free play to Circle Time. Activity 3: Circle Time From Chalice Children Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice-lighting words, written on newsprint Chalice with tea light flame or other preschool chalice option Feelings Chart or Feelings Flashcards by Todd Parr Preparation for Activity Post the chalice-lighting words on the wall near the Circle Time... Activity 4: Story From Chalice Children Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Story book Preparation for Activity Choose a story from the following suggestions: Cranberry Thanksgiving by Wende Devlin and Harry Devlin, 2012. Grandmother certainly didn't want to ask Mr. Whiskers for Thanksgiving dinner!... Activity 5: Something Good for the Table From Chalice Children Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Thanksgiving Recipes Ingredients and supplies for the recipe of your choice (see Handout 1) Individual plastic bags or storage boxes (one for each child, plus a few extra), masking tape, and a black permanent marker Trash bag with liner... Activity 6: Circle Games From Chalice Children Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the games and songs. Display any posters you have made. Learn a new song, "I Am Saying Thank You," by UU Montana songwriter Judy Fjell, so you can teach it to the children. Listen to the free MP3 download on her website. Closing From Chalice Children Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home handout Markers or crayons Preschool chalice Optional: Envelopes, hole punch, and yarn or ribbon Optional: Handout 1, Thanksgiving Recipes Preparation for Activity Copy Taking It Home for each child.... Leader Reflection and Planning From Chalice Children Reflect on these questions and discuss them with your co-leader: How do we feel about what went on during this session? Why? What was the best part of this session? Why? What preparation do we need for the next session? Taking It Home From Chalice Children Give thanks for the homes that with kindness are blessed... — Hymn 69, "Give Thanks," Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY'S SESSION... we gave thanks for something important to us and made a contribution to the family meal. EXPLORE THE TOPIC TOGETHER. Share together... the suggested books for... Handout 1: Thanksgiving Recipes From Chalice Children Pumpkin Pie in a Cup, adapted from the recipe by Vanessa Levin, from her blog Pre-K Pages, used with permission. www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/pumpkin-fluff-dip-151030.aspx">Pumpkin Fluff Dip is a Cool Whip(TM)-based pumpkin dip for cookies and crackers, served in a scooped out pumpkin. Photo and... Find Out More From Chalice Children On the Poets website, "At the Common Table: Poems for Thanksgiving" discusses several poems including poems by Langston Hughes and Bruce Weigl. PREVIOUS: Find Out More UP: Chalice Children NEXT: Introduction Download all of Chalice Children (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.