For the past several years I’ve developed a Thankful List in
November. (See previous lists: 2010, 2011) With this Thanksgiving post I’ve decided
to share some of the items on my students’ lists.
I noticed a Facebook trend this month in which people list
things they’re thankful for each day on their status update. I think it’s a
great idea, and it’s been neat to see the different lists people share.
I decided to adapt this idea a little with my second graders
and have them make individual thankful lists. So, each day as part of our
morning routine during the month of November, the students open their ipad and
go to the Pages app where they add another thing they’re thankful for to their
list. We haven’t done any group brainstorming for ideas, although each week
students may share a few of their items with the class if they wish. And it’s
been fun watching them share their lists with each other in small groups. The
kids have found it fairly easy to think of a variety of blessings to be
thankful for. We’ve even talked about continuing our lists through the month of
December. As of yesterday, our lists consisted of 20 things (although several
students have gone ahead and were on #30 or 34!)
Although many of their items are fairly typical (family,
friends, etc.), I was impressed at the thoughtfulness and deep thinking of many
of their items. So, here’s a compilation of some of the things my second
graders are thankful for:
rain animals neighbors peace butterflies
colors books love water forgiveness
chapel music shoes faith Bible
time ice church sand tools
healing beach holidays sports grass
air sky The Cross Jesus heaven
We give you thanks, O God.
