Throughout the year, we often find ourselves occupied with tasks and problems, which can make us forget about the things that truly matter. When we focus on the wrong things, we can become stressed, anxious, and tired, leading to feelings of bitterness. It’s important to remember how blessed we are to live in this country, have a loving family, teach and train the next generation, and enjoy good health. In "Pastor Rick Renner's Seven Things to Do Every Day to Become Spiritually Strong," he shares the importance of taking time throughout the day to acknowledge God and express gratitude for our blessings, both big and small. A thankful heart can reduce stress, calm nerves, establish peace, and encourage joy. This month, our focus will be developing a thankful heart. In this lesson, you and your family will have the opportunity to slow down and discuss the reasons you are thankful. AMW
Veterans Day
As a family create a care package filled with necessities, gifts, and snacks to honor as a way to show appreciation for members of the military community. You can deliver your care package to a local retirement home with veteran residents or explore ways to send care packages to deployed service members through Hero Care Packages.
Invite middle to high school students to express their gratitude through writing by offering these Wounded Warrior Project Veterans Day essay and poem prompts. These Veterans Day activities will give students the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of veterans and the importance of their service.
Soldiers’ Angels offers opportunities to support military service members, veterans, and their families. Volunteers can send baked treats to deployed service members, adopt a service member, write letters to service members, write letters or make cards for veterans, or create handmade gifts for service members, veterans, or military families.
Thankfulness
Create a Gratitude or Thanks Jar
Invite children to decorate a jar with stickers or drawings with permanent markers. Place it somewhere accessible so everyone in the family can contribute. Encourage each family member to write (or draw, for younger kids) one thing they’re thankful for each day on a small slip of paper. Every week, take time to read the notes together—or for an extra special moment, open and share them on Thanksgiving!
Bake a Thankful Treat
In the month of November, choose a few neighbors as a family to thank with a homemade treat. Decide what you would like to bake and enjoy spending time in the kitchen as a family. Everyone can help in a different way. Some can bake the treats, others can decorate the containers, and someone can write a thoughtful note expressing your gratitude. Once everything is ready, deliver your treats and share how thankful you are to have them as part of your community.
Create a Thankful Shirt
Before Thanksgiving or on Thanksgiving Day, have each family member wear a shirt in their favorite color. Using Crayola fabric markers or permanent markers, everyone writes something they are thankful for about the person wearing each shirt. By the end of the activity, each family member will have a special gift filled with loving, encouraging reminders of why everyone is thankful to have them in their lives.
Volunteer as a Family
Throughout the month, plan a family field trip to give back to others. Here are a few ways your family can make a difference:
Teens: Volunteer at Children’s Hospital Colorado to participate in craft projects with children.
Kids: Help sort food at Food Bank of the Rockies.Animal Lovers: Volunteer at a local animal shelter to help care for animals in need.Visit Seniors: Call a local assisted living facility to ask whether they welcome visitors. You can contact Golden Oaks Apartments at 303-644-3748 or Prairie Creeks Living Center at 303-622-6262 to ask about visiting opportunities.Pack Christmas Boxes: Visit Samaritan’s Purse to help pack Christmas gift boxes for children overseas through Operation Christmas Child. This opportunity begins November 25 at 8648 South Peoria St., Englewood, CO 80112. To sign up, visit Operation Christmas Child Volunteer Sign-Up.
Native American Month
Twinkl video Native American Heritage Day, children will learn about the history, cultures, traditions, and contributions of Native American people.
National Geographic has a multi-part Virtual Field Trip: Native American Stories on YouTube for older students that shares three storytellers’ unique perspectives.
How to Make a Rain Stick
How to Weave a Basket
How to do Formline Drawing
Younger students can listen to Indigenous children share their favorite traditional family meals.
In this video, families can learn about different Native American foods, which tribes ate them, and their health benefits.