It’s the day before Thanksgiving, and you’re probably feeling a tired, overwhelmed and ready for a few days break. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here is a great resource with six different activities that will keep your students engaged and learning all day long. No planning required!
For most Australians, their knowledge of Thanksgiving is what they have seen on the TV. I am different, growing up with an American father, Thanksgiving was something we celebrated, not in a big way, but it was always acknowledged. My most favourite Thanksgiving’s growing up were when we got to go and visit Dad’s family in California. It was like we got Christmas twice – all that food (Grandma’s delicious pies), games with cousins who we hadn’t seen for a few years. It was a family day, and I loved it!
Teaching in the US gave me a whole new experience. That stretch of the school year between back to school and Thanksgiving break seemed to go on FOREVER! I was EXHAUSTED and the thought of coming up with anything terribly creative in class to celebrate Thanksgiving felt like it was the too hard basket. So I have put together a fun and engaging pack of Thanksgiving resources. It contains 5 easy to use, no prep resources to use before Thanksgiving! I wish someone had made a resource like this 10 years ago!
You want something fun and engaging, but you don’t want to plan it! Well, I have your whole day before Thanksgiving organised – from English Language Arts to Social Science, you are covered. No need to print, just print it off, copy for each students and use… Just trying to make your life easier for you!
English Language Arts for the Day Before Thanksgiving
Your morning will be jam packed with all these ELA printable activities. First up is a comprehension activity on making pumpkin pie, including a flow chart outline. Easy to read, record the information on the worksheet and then use that information to create your flow chart. Lots of great learning about pumpkin pie!
There is also an editing activity and writing prompt sheets to use, encouraging students to reflect on things they are thankful for this year. Also included is an acrostic poem outline. PLENTY to keep them busy during writing time!
Math With a Thanksgiving Theme
I am so excited to share these two math sheets with you! The first is an addition code breaker worksheet, these were my absolute favourite growing up! Whenever we had a pupil free day and I had to go to work with my Mum, this is what I wanted to do!
The second is a data collection worksheet for students to complete a survey on their classmates then draw a graph based on the results they found. If you are running short on time, complete the survey and tally table as a whole class, then students record their findings on the graph.
Social Science to Reflect, the Day Before Thanksgiving
Spend some time reflecting on the First Thanksgiving with your students. Then use the Venn Diagram template to compare the First Thanksgiving with students own personal Thanksgiving stories. When finished, students can color and decorate the pilgrim hat included in the pack.
Whole Class Bulletin Board
Create a Thankful Tree with students. Using the leaves found in the pack, students write things they are thankful for on each leaf. Then create a tree trunk and branches on a bulletin board and decorate with student’s leaves. A fantastic activity to reflect on our gratitude towards the little things in our daily life.
Download your copy of my Thanksgiving Activity Resource – featuring a full day of lesson planning done for you! SIMPLY PRINT AND COPY and USE! EASY!
We hope you enjoy these Thanksgiving-themed activities!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Like the idea of a whole day of lesson planning done for you? Also check out my Easter themed resource.


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