Thanksgiving Lesson with Crafts and Activities

By Mary Romrell

What are you thankful for?

Show pictures or use objects in a bag of thankful things such as clothing, food, house, family. Ask the children what they are thankful for.

Story time

In November by Cynthia Rylant

From Booklist Ages 4-7. “In November, the earth is growing quiet. It is making its bed, a winter bed for flowers and small creatures. The bed is white and silent, and much life can hide beneath its blankets.” Poetic language and lovely oil paintings evoke the traditional and seasonal activities that occur in November. Families gather around the table for a Thanksgiving feast, cats snuggle together in the corner of the barn, “staying birds” bid farewell to “leaving birds” beginning their long journeys.
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Make a diorama of the book, In November. The mouse narrates the book. Have the children act as trees” all sticks and bones . . . spreading their arms like dancers”, “staying birds” bid farewell to “leaving birds” beginning their long journeys” acting as birds leaving away. “The smell of November food “is an orange smell. A squash and a pumpkin smell.” smell the orange smells, mmmm… squash and pumpkin pie.

Handouts

Thankful tree silhouettes. Glue leaves on for the things that the children are thankful for.

Snack time

Waffle cone Cornucopias with bananas and strawberries.

Fruity Turkey with grapes, strawberries a pear and cheese for the beak and feet.

Singing Time

Adam Bryant, Rhinoceros Tap “Turkey Love Song”
Laurie Berkner, “I’m Gonna Eat On Thanksgiving Day”

Activity

A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman
From Publishers Weekly, “The people in Squawk Valley/ were downhearted and depressed./ Thanksgiving was approaching,/ but without its special guest.” All the turkeys have fled town except for one fowl named Pete who responds to a ploy a “model wanted” ad for the local art show. After posing for various sculptors, painters and collage artists, Pete steals off with a turkey made from oatmeal as payment and joins up with his other feathered pals.

Make turkey color, cut, paste activity and enjoy your own little plump and perky turkey!