November is Native American Heritage Month, which coincides with Thanksgiving. It is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and contributions of Native Americans. This time of feasting is an opportunity to learn all about the sources of our food -- the land and the sea.
We bring all this to life in our preschool, parent/child music and twos programs with these books, songs and crafts. Now you can celebrate and explore the holiday with your kids at home!
Art Projects:
1) Turkey in the Straw: Trace the child’s hand on white paper. Let the child paint it with
watercolors, using any combination of colors. Draw an eye or add an eye sticker, and orange cut out beak, and a red wattle. Cut a sheet of yellow construction paper in half. Cut ½ into tiny strips for the straw. Let the child glue the strips to the other half of the yellow paper in a pile, a nest, or in a pattern of the child’s own creation. Glue the turkey to the straw.
2) Coloring Page: in Haida Totem Pole of Bear, Bear Woman & their two children:
Click Image to download printable coloring page:
Books:
I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato by Lauren Child – a humorous book about trying new foods.
Arrow to the Sun: A Pueblo Indian Tale and Raven: A Trickster Tale by Gerald McDermott -- two beautifully illustrated, child friendly Native American tales from very different traditions.
Legend of the Indian Paintbrush and The Legend of the Blue Bonnet, written and beautifully illustrated by Tomie DePaola—two traditional stories of Native American children who meet adversity with strength and courage.
Music:
Turkey in the Straw: performed by Sharon, Lois and Bram
Best of Carlos Nakai: Native American flute
Earth Sounds Ensemble: Carlos Nakai with Mongolian Throat-Singers and indigenous Australian didgeridoo
Chef Noah Recipe:
Hot Little Corn Muffins (or corn bread)
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup flour
1 teaspoons salt
3 teaspoons baking powder
1⁄4 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1⁄2 cup melted butter or oil
1 cup milk
Combine dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and mix until just combined—do not over mix. Fill a greased muffin tin, bread pan, or cast iron skillet. Bake 20 minutes at 425 degrees until lightly golden.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING from everyone here at Enchanted Garden!