Bayou Cajun Homeschoolers: BCHS Thanksgiving Celebration

This was our 4th Annual Homeschool Thanksgiving Celebration. (1st as Bayou Cajun Homeschoolers) Like other years, we had six different stations for the kids to rotate for learning and hands-on fun. We had around 100 people this year. Each year it seems to grow. I think it gets better too. This year some of our station leaders really put in a lot of time and effort into their stations for a great learning experience for our children.

Candi and I work hard to make this happen and run smoothly each year. Since Candi allows us to have this event at her home, she gets a lot of the work setting up for the event. She prints name tags for each person, a group leader packet for each group that has instructions and a rotation sheet so that they will know where to go at each rotation. Thank you Candi for all of your hardwork and computer labor!!! I couldn’t do this event without you:)

Thanksgiving Info Station

Amanda did a fantastic job with this station. She prepared a great lesson on the first Thanksgiving with lots of facts and info. She had lots of books, charts, and maps.

In fact, she really needed a lot more time. The moms kept asking for more time….everyone really enjoyed this station.

Cupcake Turkey Station

Tiany did a great job making this station run smoothly. The children made edible turkeys out of cupcakes. This was a yummy activity.

Thanks Tiany for baking all 100 cupcakes!!!

After they made their turkeys, the children had make-a-turkey sticker sheets to keep them busy until it was time to rotate to the next station.

Weaving Station

Rachel had all of the paper prepared and cut into strips for the children to “weave” paper placemats.

Here’s two sweeties hanging out during their families turn at the weaving station:

Butter Making Station

Allison lead this station. She even brought some of her chickens and eggs for the children.

At this station, the kids made butter, ate homemade wheat bread, and learned how the Pilgrims and Indians had to be self-sufficient during that time period. They couldn’t run down the street to the store to buy their eggs, get their butter, bread, or other products.

I made 3 loaves of bread for this station with fresh wheat flour that I ground for the children to eat with their butter. I also brought wheat berries and wheat flour for the kids to see and touch.

Here’s some of the butter that was made along with buttermilk.

One of the chickens even laid an egg during the celebration! Here’s Karen showing off the egg:)

Corn and Squanto Station

Laura did a great job presenting information about the different types of corn and the different uses of corn. She even grew some of her own corn to show us and she made some popcorn for the kids to snack on during the presentation She also shared info on Squanto during this presentation. He was instrumental in teaching the Pilgrims about corn.

Thanksgiving Craft Station

Becky ran this station. She graciously took this station after one of our moms had to cancel due to an unexpected surgery. Thanks Becky!

The children made this Thanksgiving Craft at this station.

After we finished rotating through all of the stations, we enjoyed a wonderful feast together. All of the families brought food the share. It was delicious:)