TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Good Little Pilgrims Learn About History

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOHN CEBALLOS

jceballos@tampatrib.com

Published: December 3, 2008

RIVERVIEW - For their first Thanksgiving at Summerfield Crossings Elementary, the school's kindergarten students looked nearly 400 years in the past for inspiration.

With help from the school's third-grade students,145 kindergartners took their cue from the first Thanksgiving feast shared between the pilgrims at Plymouth and members of the Wampanoag Indians in 1621.

The school hosted its second annual Kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast Nov. 25.

"We had this event last year and it was very successful," said Kelly McMillan, assistant principal. "The kids get to learn basic Thanksgiving lessons."

Rain pushed the outdoor feast inside to each of the school's eight kindergarten classrooms.

"We've been teaching them about the Native Americans, the pilgrims and the history and customs behind Thanksgiving and I though this was a good way for them to actually get involved," said kindergarten teacher Lindsay Johnson.

The day before the feast, third-graders helped the kindergartners snap green beans, shuck corn and make their own butter, giving them a taste of the first Thanksgiving.

Fortunately for the students, the turkeys were provided - and prepared - by their parents.

"They've been preparing for two weeks and I think the teachers and the kids both did a great job," said Shannon Durant, who volunteered during the event by helping serve food. Her son, Jeffrey, is in Johnson's class.

In addition to the food, the students also made pilgrim and Native American costumes to wear to their feast.

The third-grade students then joined the kindergartners in their classroom to enjoy the fruits - and vegetables - of their labors.

"Everything went really well today and I'm very proud of the kids and I think they're really proud of themselves," Johnson said.

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT