Definition:

 A grateful person is thankful for people, nature, and things and is able to make the best of what they have, even if it’s not as much as what others have.  Stewardship means showing  thankfulness for what we have by taking good care of what we’ve been given. 

In short: Thankful for every blessing, big or small.

Summary: 

The Ragamuffin Parade was a real event that took place on Thanksgiving day in New York City and other cities across the United States. Children wore ragged clothing, knocked on doors and walked in the streets,  expecting to collect coins and candy. Rettie is the oldest child of a poor immigrant family, and the main character of the story. She faces many obstacles, including taking care of her younger siblings and sick mother while her soldier father is away during WWI. A pandemic of influenza has closed down her building, making things even more difficult for everyone, especially Rettie because she has to keep everyone safe from the flu. She earns money cleaning and looks forward to the parade when she can collect coins to help support her family.  Finally, things improve as the  quarantine is lifted, cold weather slows down the epidemic, and the war comes to an end. Rettie’s collection of coins from the parade allows her to purchase apples and a pumpkin for their Thanksgiving dinner. Rettie worked hard to take care of her family and life was getting better. Even though Retti’s family didn’t have much, they celebrated with hope and gratitude on that special day.

Lesson Objectives: 

1. Students are guided by their teacher to compare events in this story with their own lives - dealing with challenges brought on by the Covid epidemic or the difficulties when a parent is deployed in the military. 
2. This story can be linked to a social studies lesson about immigration, why it happens and what are the challenges people face when they leave their country of origin. 

Guiding Questions: 

1. A ragamuffin is someone who dresses in clothing that a beggar might wear. Why was the parade called a Ragamuffin Parade? 
2. Retti’s family were immigrants who came to America from another country. Why do you think they wanted to leave their country and come to America?
3. Influenza, nicknamed “the flu” was very contagious - people could easily catch it from one another. What are some things that happened because of the epidemic? 
4. What are some of the things Retti did to take care of her family? 
5. Why was Retti feeling more hopeful at the end of the story? 
6. If you had to earn money like Retti did to help her family, what do you think you would do? 
7. How do you help each other in your family? 
8. Do you know any immigrants? Can you share about why they came to your country and where they lived before they moved? 
9. Are you from an immigrant family? Ask your parents and grandparents. 
10.  Do you have a Thanksgiving day in your country? Can you share about it if you do?