Now that Halloween is over, Thanksgiving is the next big holiday to prepare for. I love November because I think it is a great time to reflect and think about all the things you are thankful for. Here are some suggestions of activities you can do in the classroom. Now is the time to think about these because you might need some advance preparation for them. Unfortunately there were many times that holidays would sneak up on me and then I would run around like a chicken without a head. Maybe something on this list will interest you and help you in advance because it will help the lesson be more successful.1. Every day take time to write three things you are thankful for. This can be an ongoing list or can be posted on strips of paper and posted around the room.
2. Make a turkey out of autumn leaves.
3. Make a turkey and post it on the bulletin board. Students can use feathers to post things like: things they are thankful for, or facts about Thanksgiving, or even the steps to cooking a turkey
4. Turkey Treat Holder – decorating a small terracotta pot
5. A Pilgrim’s Conversation: using quotation marks; grades 3-5
6. The History of Thanksgiving – from the History Channel
7. The First Thanksgiving – From Scholastic
8. Thanksgiving Theme Unit – from Edhelper.com
I hope this gives you some ideas so you can plan. Many times I was looking for fun educational things to do the two or three days we had school before Thanksgiving holidays. I hope some of these activities are successful in your classroom.
Original image: 'Leaf turkey'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35468149768@N01/304316401 by: Jennifer 13
1 comment:
Ooh! The first one could be a paper chain in fall colors to go all the way around the room.
I did the turkey with "things we're thankful for" on feathers with a first grade class. It worked really well because it was just about the right length of writing for that age.
Leaf rubbings are always great if you still have leaves!
I also think Thanksgiving is a great time to think about adding details to writing. Getting the students to imagine a Thanksgiving dinner and all of the ways their senses experience the meal would be a lot of fun!
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