Hearts of Thanks: A Thanksgiving Study That Nurtures Gratitude, Faith & Wonder
By Lanette Judy
Thanksgiving has a way of sneaking up on homeschool families. One minute we’re enjoying fall routines, and the next we’re rushing to keep up with academics, plans, and holiday activities. That’s exactly why we created our Hearts of Thanks Discovery Guide, an intentional pause that brings our focus back to gratitude, truth, and the beauty of learning together.
This unit uses three delightful books:
📖 God Gave Us Thankful Hearts
📖 The Story of the Pilgrims
📖 Wild Turkeys
woven together with rich, integrated lessons in language arts, history, science, and faith.
But more than anything, Hearts of Thanks teaches a posture of gratitude that lasts far beyond November.
Choosing Joy: Gratitude in Everyday Moments
Our journey begins with God Gave Us Thankful Hearts, where Little Pup learns what every child (and mom!) needs to understand: joy is not based on circumstances, it’s rooted in gratitude.
Scripture calls us to this repeatedly:
“Give thanks no matter what happens.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Rejoice in the Lord always.” – Philippians 4:4
To help children practice this truth, we introduce the Gratitude Journal—a simple, powerful tool that trains the mind to notice God’s blessings. And because young writers need freedom, not perfection, this journal encourages sound spelling, creativity, and heartfelt expression. The goal is to protect the growing writer’s confidence while nurturing a habit of joy.
(And yes, you’ll find these Gratitude Journal pages available as free printables below!)
Freedom, Provision & Hard-Won Blessings
From gratitude we move into history with The Story of the Pilgrims, reminding children that Thanksgiving began with a deep desire for freedom to worship God.
The Pilgrims’ courage offers rich character lessons:
They left all they knew to follow God freely.
They faced fear, hunger, and uncertainty.
They learned to trust God in their “terrified” moments.
Isaiah 41:10 becomes an anchor here:
“Do not be afraid… I will make you strong and help you.”
Through extension activities like Needs vs. Wants, children learn to distinguish between modern conveniences and true provision. Packing a “Mayflower suitcase” invites them to imagine life with only necessities, helping them see Thanksgiving through fresh, grateful eyes.
The unit ends with writing a Thankful Prayer, turning learning into worship as children express gratitude to “the Holy One.”
Wonder, Science & God’s Creative Care
The final section, centered on Wild Turkeys, shows how gratitude grows when children understand God’s creation.
We teach essential nonfiction reading skills
using the Table of Contents,
navigating Headings,
and exploring the Glossary and Index
so students learn to read for information, not just stories.
A simple KWL chart (Know, Wonder, Learn) transforms reading into discovery.
Then, through labeling activities and fascinating turkey facts, students see firsthand that God designed every creature with purpose. Matthew 6:26 reminds us:
“Look at the birds… Your Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more?”
Science flows naturally into theology, and gratitude becomes rooted in who God is, not what we have.
And yes, we keep things fun. The hilarious “Sneaky Thanksgiving Turkey” poem gives students a chance to laugh while learning about integrity: nothing stays hidden from the Lord (Luke 12:2). Even the silly moments become spiritual teaching opportunities.
A Thanksgiving Learning Experience for the Whole Family
Hearts of Thanks isn’t just a unit study. It’s an invitation:
✨ to slow down
✨ to savor truth
✨ to enjoy learning
✨ to cultivate gratitude rooted in God’s Word
Through story, Scripture, hands-on activities, and joyful discovery, your children will see Thanksgiving not just as a holiday, but as a way of living.
And to help your family begin this journey, we’re giving away our beautifully designed Gratitude Journal printables for free.
May this season be filled with wonder, worship, and heartfelt thanks as your family celebrates God’s faithful provision.