KS1 Topic: Celebrations Block E: Saying Thank You

Session 6 Celebrating Family!
Early Learning Goals / UW ELG 13 P&C Chn talk about past and present events in their own lives and in the lives of family members. They know that other chn do not always do the same things, and are sensitive to this; They know about similarities and differences between themselves and others, and among families, communities and traditions.
Teaching Objectives / To think about Our Families, and to be thankful for the life and love shared together.
Resources:
Information sheet with Thank you song for family members. ‘My Dad Is Brilliant’, ‘My Mum Is Fantastic’, ‘My Grandma Is Wonderful’, ‘My Grandpa is Amazing’ by Nick Butterworth; ‘My Mum’, ‘My dad’, My Brother’ by Antony Browne; ‘So Much’, ‘Full, full, full of love’ by Trish Cooke. / Weblinks
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/12184972/Mothers-Day-Everything-you-need-to-know-about-Mothering-Sunday-2016.html - Teacher info;
http://ukbankholidaydates.co.uk/fathers-day/ - Teacher info; http://www.ob.org/mothers-around-the-world/ - Photos of mums from around the world;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9siyDPch-6c - ‘Wheels on the Bus’ song with a difference!
Whole class: Before the session, arrange selection of books that can be easily seen by chn (see resources). Admire the books and appear to hesitate over which one to select and read to chn: I want to read them all, but must choose just one for now, you need to help me choose! On count of 3, chn to ‘grow’ into family character they want you to read, mime an action character might do. ‘1-2-3!’ chn take up position of chosen character then mime a common activity. Comment on actions: Sammy, you’re playing football – is that something your dad does? Ashlea, you’re knitting – does your Grandma knit? Count the characters depicted and select the book with majority vote. Promise the other books will be read at another time. Read aloud and enjoy selected book. Ask chn: Do your family member acts like the ones in the book? What else does your family member do or say? Listen to feedback and celebrate the positive/funny/special memories. These people are very special to us and we have special days when we all think about them. Mothering Sunday (UK) or Mother’s Day is celebrated around the world on different dates; show photos of mothers and chn around the world (see weblink); Father’s Day is in June and we also have Grandparents Day and Siblings Day!
Activities
Let’s play families! Chn use dolls, soft toys, teddies, small world, to recreate family life. Adults join in if necessary, to have fun and help model activities, e.g. eating meal together, looking after baby, getting in the car to go on holiday. Have resources, such as card, collage materials, glue and pens, easily accessible for chn who would like to make thank you cards for family members.
Plenary / Gather chn together to watch and join in singing this unusual version of ‘Wheels on the Bus’ (see weblink). Ask for volunteers to explain what they played in the activity time. Consolidate awareness that all families are different and do not always do the same things as other families. Pick out examples that demonstrate being thankful for each other within our families: Sasha, you had Daddy Teddy cooking the dinner for his family. Who else had people cooking the meals? Lots of you! There were Mummies and Grandmas as well! Did the people in your play families say thank you? Use other examples as well. Families look after and care for one another because families love each other. It is good to be in a family and we can be thankful we are in families. (PSHE opportunity – safe touching). Sing ‘Thank you Lord’ for mums and dads, brothers and sisters. Alternatively refer to the Information sheet with Thank you song for family members (session resource) and take chn’s suggestions for new verses focusing on different family members.
Outcomes / Children will:
·  Grow in awareness that other chn do not always do the same things as their families do and develop in understanding that there are similarities and differences between themselves and others, and among families, communities and traditions
·  Recognize opportunities to thank family members for all they do

© Hamilton Trust. This activity may be adapted for use by a teacher in his/her own class. It may not be reproduced for any other purpose.

We refer you to our warning, at the foot of the block overview, about links to other websites.