Is the Gather Round Thanksgiving Unit Study the Perfect Fit for Young Kids?

Our homeschool always takes time to slow down and focus on what is truly important during the holiday season. This Thanksgiving, we used the Gather Round Thanksgiving unit study, which I purchased along with many other unit studies in the Gather Round series a year ago at the homeschool convention in Richmond, Virginia. I am currently homeschooling my children, ages 7 and 4, and we opted for the printed version of the pre-reader and early reader. Aesthetically, the materials are beautiful! The illustrations feel cozy and inviting. The thought of all my children gathered in one spot, diligently listening to the story of Thanksgiving, expressing gratitude in our hearts, and creating memorable moments is enough to make any homeschool mom eager to support Rebecca Spooner, the creator of Gather Round.

Unfortunately, no magic happened. When the kids and I tried to snuggle up and read, we found the content to be quite underwhelming. The workbooks contained little to no educational tasks; most of it felt like beautiful busywork. If you decide to take a break from traditional education and focus on this unit study, be prepared for a significant slowdown in learning. While I believe in taking breaks in our homeschool routine, I expect unit studies to present information in a way that aids retention and learning.

My kids found the content long and boring. The curriculum is divided into four sections, organized into four days of lessons. The discussion topics include the bigger picture, Canadian Thanksgiving, US Thanksgiving, and the overall meaning of the holiday. I learned a more in-depth version of Thanksgiving celebrations around the world and discovered interesting facts about the history of Thanksgiving. However, this approach was not what I hoped to teach my children at their ages. For early elementary and pre-K, I was looking for a more lighthearted and traditional study of the holiday. The content has a very deep historical undertone and even delves into the controversial aspects of American Thanksgiving. Now, don't get me wrong; I enjoy exploring the "truth" behind history, and I value an education that encourages critical thinking. However, I didn’t feel it was appropriate to approach these complex topics with my 7 and 4-year-olds. In my opinion, this curriculum would be better suited for an older group of students.

The curriculum is designed to be open and easy to use. If you know me, you understand that I avoid purchasing curricula that require excessive planning and a long list of supplies. We were able to complete this curriculum on time, and it proved to be efficient in that way. Most of the associated projects involve cooking activities. However, we chose not to complete the cooking projects because who wants to spend an entire week cooking only to turn around and cook again for Thanksgiving?

In conclusion, this curriculum was not what I was looking for during this season. I have traditionally enjoyed using Gather Round for different topics. I appreciate the concept of having everyone learn the same subject, and I admire how Rebecca incorporates a focus on Jesus throughout her curricula. She does an incredible job of pointing everyone back to Jesus in everything her company produces.