Saturday, November 2, 2013

Thanksgiving Thoughts and Freebies


It is Turkey Time again!  Just a few weeks to focus on the holiday and bring a touch of thankfulness to our classrooms.  Have you ever thought that Thanksgiving and the history behind it wasn't in your standards and something that you couldn't teach?  
What about using the theme in your shared reading time? Use the historical perspective during your ELA block.  There are wonderful non-fiction resources online!
And of course poetry and reader's theater always fit in our lessons!


The best place to start is The First Thanksgiving by Scholastic.  You can find a guide for lessons, 12 reader's theaters. video, virtual field trips, etc.  


Read Write Think offers great lesson plans:


My favorite activity for the little ones is the Thanksgiving bracelet.  Students can retell the story of the Pilgrims and the Mayflower by using the beads.  They love taking these home to share with family.  Send the story home with the bracelet.


Use these books to help them understand the story.





Thanksgiving Poem "Giving Thanks" 


More to come on the Mayflower, so check back soon!







4 comments:

  1. I used to do the virtual field trips with my second graders - they loved it!

    Sara :)
    The Colorful Apple

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  2. Lots of great activities! When I was in the classroom, we used to make a construction paper box for the trunk and write about what we would pack inside of it if we were a Pilgrim making that journey.
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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