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Educational Thanksgiving Activities for the Whole Family

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Noodle Staff November 21, 2012

Want your Turkey Day to be memorable? Have a fun and educational Thanksgiving Day with these activities ideas that will entertain the entire family.

In this course, participants learn core principles, concepts, and methods of continuous improvement and explore the history of continuous improvement efforts. In a series of lectures, Master Black Belt in Six Sigma Shane Wentz, Ph.D., enables learners to enhance, optimize, and stabilize business processes and to augment quality control through varied methodologies. Participants gain the skills and knowledge to reimagine internal processes, engage in advanced problem-solving, and empower employees. The course covers high-level foundational principles of Lean, Six Sigma, and DMAIC processes before diving deep into Lean Six Sigma methods. Learners will analyze the tools of process mapping, Kaizen (a continuous improvement method/tool deemed a prerequisite for Lean transformation success), Lean (a continuous improvement philosophy that emphasizes streamlined workflows and reducing waste), and the process improvement methodology driving DMAIC: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control.

Entrepreneurs fostering new ventures outside of well-developed entrepreneurial ecosystems like Silicon Valley face significant challenges. These markets are unlike Silicon Valley, and they will likely remain so. That doesn't mean they can't nurture and sustain new businesses. In transitioning markets that lack abundant private sector financing, creative approaches from government officials, donors, and business leaders can fill the void to support entrepreneurial activity. Northeast Ohio (where Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University are located) has become a laboratory for such innovative solutions. During our time together in this course, we will explore some of these creative approaches to promoting regional entrepreneurship. Northeast Ohio has seen a massive infusion of government and donor resources for over ten years. In that time, Northeast Ohio has promoted regional development (including job creation and follow-on funding) through alternative methods of financing startups. It has not been easy. The region has made progress, but it remains to be seen whether it has struck upon an enduring formula. A dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem takes many years, even decades, to develop. Government policymakers and donors typically seek quicker returns on their support programs, which makes long-term support for entrepreneurship challenging. This course includes case studies and first-person testimonials from entrepreneurs who have launched products and services ranging from medical devices to LED lights to whiskey. You will learn how these entrepreneurs discovered and procured resources from various programs and intermediary organizations. You will hear from business people still in the process of developing their companies as well as those whose ventures have flourished. Our focus will extend beyond Cleveland to selected markets around the world, including Greece, Vietnam, Tunisia, Argentina, Rwanda and China. You will learn about international incentives and other supports available to developing startups and small businesses across the globe. This course examines how different communities around the world approach implementing strategies and methods to support businesses. I will ask you to reflect on how to apply the principles we learn to growing entrepreneurship where you live. The social interactive features of the online platform will enable students from around the world to share ideas and learn from one another. Most MOOCs rebroadcast professors’ lectures; this course is different. Don’t expect to see me standing in front of the camera, talking and lecturing every module. Instead, the lectures will be relatively short in length. They have more of the feel of an engaging documentary than a static classroom setting. ## __What type of person takes the *Beyond Silicon Valley* course?__ - Active and aspiring businesspeople in communities looking to initiate new startup ecosystems or bolster existing ones - Current and prospective entrepreneurs who want to learn about funding sources, risk management, and the lifecycle of startups - Professionals who work in government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, philanthropic institutions, and various private funds that fund startups - Anyone curious about how to create and grow startup ecosystems outside the major tech hubs - The principles Beyond Silicon Valley teaches have been drawn from and applied to startups worldwide, from small villages to megalopolises. You'll study success stories spanning the globe from Vietnam to Kosovo to Botswana. ## __What will you learn in *Beyond Silicon Valley*?__ - How and where startups can find funding to get their businesses off the ground - What role government can play in encouraging startups and a healthy startup ecosystem - How anchor institutions such as universities and healthcare systems participate in startup ecosystems - How nongovernmental organizations support startups - How to raise funds from venture capitalists, angel investors, and accelerators - How to navigate challenging periods in the startup lifecycle - The importance of mentoring in successful startups

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It's easy to fall into the Thanksgiving routine of turkey, pumpkin pie and football. This holiday has become so ingrained in American culture, that it can often be easy to forget its historic or cultural significance.

Your children are certain to learn the history of Thanksgiving at one point or another in school. But are they learning it the right way?

Here are some recommendations on key lessons to take away and share with your children this holiday season:

Give Back: Thanksgiving is often a time of mass consumption, and it can be easy for kids to forget that most people (in the U.S. and across the globe) don't have the luxuries they do during the holiday season. Take advantage of having Friday off and take your family to volunteer. Huffington Post compiled a Thanksgiving-specific service list with some great ideas for volunteer opportunities in your area.

To fit volunteering into your schedule throughout the year, read our guide to community service for busy students.

Stay Healthy: Thanksgiving is a time to indulge, and one of the few times of the year most of us can do it without much guilt. But as much as the holiday is about the food, Thanksgiving is also about spending time with your family, and one of the best ways to do this is with a group run! Turkey Trots are hugely popular the morning of Thanksgiving, and a running website like Active.com can help you find one right near you. Browse through local 5Ks, 10Ks and trail runs to find the perfect event for you and your family. Then feel free to inhale as much pumpkin pie as you want!

Read here for advice about ensuring your children get the right amount of exercise in school.

Be Thankful: We know its a cliche. Sit around the dining room table before dinner, and each person takes a turn to share what they're thankful for. But as cheesy as it might seem, and as many eye rolls or giggles as you might get from the kids, its a worthwhile exercise.

Let the adults go first, to give the kids some time to think about it. Share a mix of things that are both light hearted ("We're so thankful that the turkey didn't burn like last year!") and a bit more serious ("We're thankful to have all our loved ones with us to share this special day").

You can also turn this exercise into more of a game. Have everyone write down what they're thankful for on a piece of paper and have others around the table guess who wrote what. Or if your family is particularly artsy, turn this into an arts and crafts project by creating a collage or decorating a table cloth with words and images that represent what everyone is thankful for.

Want to remember to be thankful throughout the year? Download the Gratitude Journal, as featured on our "Ten Apps for Healthy Habits."

Tell the Story: Thanksgiving is unique to North America and only seriously celebrated in the United States and Canada). So more so than most other holidays (Boxing Day anyone?), it is particularly important for us to understand the historical significance behind this celebration.

Your children have no doubt heard the short and sweet Thanksgiving story in school. But as most adults know, the history of this holiday is far more nuanced than a simple harvest between the pilgrims and the Native Americans.

Teach your children the real history behind this festive day, with some of these helpful resources:

National Geographic Kids

Education World

History of the Thanksgiving (VIDEO)