In a recent reflection from The Word Among Us, the author asked the readers to think about what they would have if they only had what they had given thanks for the previous day.  That stopped me in my tracks!  It was a very effective way to drive home the point that I should be thankful and grateful in all that I do.  Yes that includes even the very trying situations that we face in this life.  A very good friend has been teaching me to find the positive in situations that aren't the greatest.  In truth, these not so favorable situations do have valuable lessons to learn.  Those lessons help gain wisdom that can help me and others down the road.  So yes, I need to be more thankful for the good and the bad.  (Although, there are some situations that I don't know that I would ever be thankful for such as natural disasters and personal tragedies.)  After reading that, I began to think about everything for which I needed to be grateful.  Then I began to think about how I need to teach this to my kids more, as well.  In thinking about the various ways to teach gratitude and looking at different articles that address the topic, the reality is that that this is more than saying "please" and "thank you."  True thankfulness and gratitude includes being appreciative of others and having patience as well as counting your blessings.  The Focus on the Family website has a series called "Training Kids To Be Thankful."  The articles address these issues and offer a variety of practical ways to teach kids how to be thankful in the "me-centered" world.  https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/spiritual-growth-for-kids/gratitude/training-kids-to-be-grateful
     This month in guidance classes, we're  focusing on feelings, with a Thanksgiving twist.  Kindergarten students will see a power point about a dinosaur friend named Cryceratop and then create a small "Thanksgiving themed" book about feelings. The kindergarten transition class will be the first to have guidance centers, all focusing on feelings.  Each activity will have a fall/Thanksgiving theme.  First grade has a Safari Friends "Name That Feeling" game (very similar to Jeopardy).  The second grade students will be watching video clips from the movie, "Inside Out" and then playing a Thanksgiving feeling bingo game.  The kindergarten through second grade lessons teach students to look at body language and facial expressions to help determine how a person may be feeling.  The third grade students have a power point from the Hocus Pocus series, titled "Emotions Potions.  Students will learn the steps for voicing how they feel, in a non-confrontive way.  The students will then play a feeings story telling game, using scarecrow feelings cards.
     I hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I am so thankful to work with such amazing children and awesome staff at the K-3 Campus.  Please contact me if I can be of assistance in any way.  kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org  or (270)- 684-7583