Goldwood Students Are Thankful

As all of the students in the Rocky River City School District (and staff too!) look forward to a nice long Thanksgiving weekend, first graders at Goldwood Primary School have a lot to be thankful for.

On Tuesday, November 24, the first graders had their annual Thanksgiving Feast. Students decorated a placemat and place card to set their own spot at the table. They also made beaded necklaces and Native American headdresses to go with their costumes, which are handed down from year to year. Students started off with a few Thanksgiving songs, led by music teacher Mrs. Mahoney. Then they got down to lunch, including chicken nuggets and muffins.

In the afternoon, a naturalist from the Rocky River Nature Center came to Goldwood to present a program called Early Woodland Native Americans. Says First Grade Teacher Anne Davis, "the speaker brings in artifacts for the kids to see and touch and discusses how the Native Americans used the land for their food, shelter, clothing, and fun!" This annual visit often sees the naturalist bringing items like animal skins, mini-longhouse or wigwam, tools, bones, decorations, musical instruments, says Mrs. Davis.

By the time Goldwood's first graders leave for the long weekend, they will be ready for Thanksgiving. Not only will they have had a taste of Thanksgiving goodies, but they will have lots of information about the holiday to share with their friends and families.

Happy Thanksgiving!