Today in class your student will be introduced to a classic American example of a tradition that revolved around food, Thanksgiving.
In today's class discussion the students will get a chance to talk about their different backgrounds and/or cultures, and you get to contribute to your students point of view. If America is your culture, the students will get to share their version of their families American traditions.
One of the main examples we will talk about (as mentioned above), is having turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. Other simple traditions that come with it would be:
- the ceremonial carving of the turkey, who does it in your house?
- splitting the wishbone, what is the significance or meaning?
- stuffing, why is it so closley connected to turkey?
- having the turkey leg, does this relate back to the start of the tradition?
All cultures and backgrounds have a way of giving thanks.
If your culture and background is different than others I encourage you to share your way of giving thanks with your student.
If your way of giving thanks is through the American tradition of Thanksgiving, I will encourage you to share with your student your personal traditions or why you think the turkey has become the symbol of this holiday. Maybe your ancestry plays a part.
**Tonight's homework will require your student to think of their favorite food and research/think about the origin of this food.
- Is there any traditions linked to it?
- How did it come to be popular? if it is not popular why should it be?
- How were they introduced to it?
- Common food you find in the grocery store? Or is it unique? Something mom invented?
