Introduce the basics of Thanksgiving with a language arts instructional activity. As pupils practice observation skills, vocabulary, and reading comprehension, they design paper turkeys by outlining their hands and feet and by singing an engaging holiday song.

Concepts

informal language, oral language, thanksgiving, crafts, English Language Development

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

english language arts

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Fill your classroom with Thanksgiving-themed books
• Divide the activities into classroom stations and rotate small groups through

Classroom Considerations

• Some of the readers, songs, and lessons can only be accessed with paid membership
• Designed for English learners but helpful for mainstream classes as well
• Focuses on family traditions rather than the origins of American Thanksgiving celebrations
• Lesson focuses on the nuclear family model of Thanksgiving dinner; include stories and examples from class members with different family models to keep them from feeling excluded

Pros

• Integrates vocabulary with cute and crafty lessons
• Addresses a variety of language arts skills
• Provides lyrics and gestures for a fun Thanksgiving song

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.K.1.a SL.1.1.a L.K.1.a L.1.1.a