The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs: So much to Be Thankful For

By Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern at The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs.

I can remember my grandmother sitting in her big rocking chair that was placed in her favorite spot, next to a picture window where she kept all of her plants. I would sit on her lap and she would sing about the beautiful autumn leaves dancing to the ground in their colorful dresses. I can’t remember the tune or the words, but that wonderful memory has always been vivid in my mind. as if it were yesterday. I’m so thankful for this experience.

I can remember standing on the front porch waiting for my mom to take me shopping downtown. I loved to shop with her. We used to go to a store called Eli Moore, they had everything that a little girl could want. First stop was the shoe department, and I’d get my black patent leather shoes, next we’d go to the clothes department. I was so spoiled back then, as an only child, I was showered with beautiful things to wear and great toys. Shopping done, we’d go to this café for lunch and a yummy desert. My mom passed on when I was 15 so these moments mean so much for me and I’m thankful for the short time that I was able to spend with her.

I have so many things to be thankful for, a wonderful husband, my Siberian Husky, friends and family who love me. We’re healthy, other than some aches and pains. Our house is in the woods and it is our own little paradise. I can’t think of anything else that I need, other than a few million dollars, lol!

As a teacher, I feel it’s part of my responsibility to help my students think about the good things that they have going, and to be thankful for their blessings. To introduce them to this activity, I tell them the story about my grandmother, and or my mom. Then I will pass out task cards with Thanksgiving images on them and ask the kids to write down what they’re thankful for and we put them into a decorated Thanksgiving box. They can write as many things as they wish, The Wednesday before Thanksgiving recess. I pass the box around the room and each child, as well as myself, chooses a card and we read what is on it, then try to guess whose card it is and give it to its owner.

I usually end up moved to tears and so do some of the kids, as this activity is so meaningful to all of us..

Please take a look at my values lesson What Am I Thankful For?