Mai Lesson
The Woman Who Gave Us Thanksgiving
Language Arts · 30 min · Any age · You and your child together
Discover Sarah Josepha Hale, the woman who campaigned for 17 years to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. The Spark opens with the comic "The Woman Who Wouldn't Stop Writing," then explores the power of persistence and persuasion. It ends with your child writing their own persuasive letter for a holiday they wish existed.
What your child gets out of it
- Identify Sarah Josepha Hale's role in making Thanksgiving a national holiday.
- Explain the concept of persuasion and its effectiveness through long-term campaigning.
- Formulate and write a persuasive letter for a new holiday.
What you need
- Paper (or Notebook, Loose-leaf paper)
- Pen (or Pencil, Marker)
- Crayons — Optional, for decorating your letter. (or Colored pencils, Markers)
- Printable Worksheet — The 'Persuasive Letter Template' from the Spark pack.
How it runs
- Introduction · 5 min
- Explore & Plan · 8 min
- Discussion · 6 min
- Activity · 9 min
- Summary · 2 min
Why it matters
The ability to persuade and campaign effectively is essential in many professions, from marketing and law to politics and community organizing.
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