"The Best Snack, EVER!"

Our 'Thanksgiving Gratitude Snack', AKA "Cornucopia Snack!"

According the my students...!  The children shared a special 'Thanksgiving Gratitude Snack' today.  This was a special event, not only because we sat altogether to enjoy each other's company over food, but also because we took the time to think about the things we are thankful for.  To mark this special holiday, the kids prepared their own cornucopias, which were sugar cones, and filled them with fruit salad.  We have been discussing how the cornucopia is a symbol of abundance and serves as a reminder of everything for which we are thankful.  In addition to assembling a cornucopia, each child was able to frost a pumpkin cookie.  As you can imagine, this was met with much enthusiasm and glee!  The following is a picture of how I set up the snack preparation table with the materials necessary for the cornucopia and cookie icing.

First, the child takes a plate and one "cornucopia."  Then, they fill it with the fruit salad.  Next, they take a cookie and spread on some yummy icing - they did really well with this and resisted temptation to use too much icing! :)



'Thanksgiving Gratitude Snack' in the making, and next to the table for some inspiration...



...our Thanksgiving poetry basket along with a pilgrim lady decoration.  She has been aptly named by the kids, "Cornucopia Girl."  :)



Giving thanks together at the first set of tables...

...and at a larger table.  Notice the wheat stalks for centerpieces?  They are representative of the "yellow fields of grain" from our "Thanksgiving" poem.

In my perfect Montessori world, I would have had the children cut and prepare the fruit salad themselves.  These days however, have been passing much too quickly, and with the upcoming week long vacation, I found myself without enough time to have the kids do that part!  So, I am writing with much gratitude and thanks to the parents who graciously sent in the fruit salad and festive plates and napkins. The kids declared, "This is the best snack, EVER!"

Throughout their time eating together, the following cheerful words were heard from the children:  "I am thankful for the whole wide world."  "I'm thankful for my whole family!"  "I'm thankful for my food."  "I'm thankful for this classroom."  "I'm thankful for everything!"  :)