BUENA PARK : A Lesson They’ll Give Thanks for

Wearing a paper feather headdress and fringed dress, kindergartner Audrey Doland speared fake fish last week during “Indian Day” at Walter Knott Elementary School as she and her schoolmates emulated the Native Americans who met the Pilgrims in New England in 1620.

“The Indians helped the Pilgrims get food to eat,” the 5-year-old girl said after taking her turn grinding corn on the school playground. “They were nice to help because there weren’t any grocery stores where you could buy food.”

Audrey and about 90 other kindergartners participated in the event as part of a two-month-long social studies lesson.

Today, the students--half of them wearing their Indian costumes and the other half dressed as Pilgrims--will re-create the country’s first Thanksgiving Day feast.

The students will eat turkey and give thanks to each other.

“This is a hands-on experience where we bring to life what we learned in the classroom,” said Gwen TeGantvoort, who turned the celebration into an annual school event four years ago. “I’m just trying to make the kindergarten experience as rich as I can. These kids will remember this forever.”

She said she told her students that Native Americans did not have such conveniences as televisions, microwaves or heaters, and that the youngsters should be grateful for what they have. She also stressed the importance of friendship.

Five-year-old Sean Keizer said he realized that importance as he and his classmates worked together to build an imaginary campfire and participated in traditional Native American dances.

“You have to share,” he said, eating a corn tortilla and popcorn with a friend.

About 20 parents helped organize the activities, which included making paper spheres, decorating clay pots with traditional symbols, making place mats and planting corn seeds with sardines.

“They’re sort of amazed about what they’re doing right now,” said Patti Vieira, whose daughter Baylee planted a corn seed.

She said her other two children participated in the program in 1991 and 1992.

“When they get home, this is all they’re going to talk about,” Vieira said, watching over the youngsters.

“This experience will teach them to appreciate everyone--that everybody can be friends.”