All About Thanksgiving

This week our class will be learning about giving thanks to include family traditions, what types of food we eat, what are we thankful for, and where do we go for Thanksgiving. 

We have previously studied the Mayflower, Pilgrims, and Native Americans.

Below is a link to our  giving thanks theme lesson plans for the week. The lesson plans include the following types of activities: Morning Message with activity, Large Group Literacy, Phonemic Awareness, Small Group, two planned story times, and a closing activity. The standards are based on Bright From the Start GELDS.

DOWNLOAD >> Giving Thanks 5 Day Lesson Plans

DOWNLOAD>> All About the First Thanksgiving 5 Day Lesson Plans

Classroom Activities:

Students will be involved in a variety of activities to promote language and literacy skills, mathematical reasoning, exploration, and fine motor control. Some of our center activities will include the following:

Art - Mayflower creations. Students can decorate paper plate halves with brown paint, crayon, or torn brown construction paper. Cut sails out of the other half of paper plate. Have students add water, clouds, birds, and sun to a blank pieces of white construction paper. Assemble Mayflower on student's picture. Use a Popsicle stick for the mast.

Writing Center - Students will practice copying Thanksgiving vocabulary words.

Library - Students will read and listen to books about Thanksgiving. They can also practice their writing skills by using Magna Doodle Boards.

Math - Students will practice counting, sorting, and classifying objects.

Science - Students will explore ornamental pumpkins, pine cones, and squash using magnifying glasses. The students can sort objects based on how they feel: bumpy, smooth, rough, hard, etc.

YouTube.com Educational Links:

I have put together a collection of songs and read alouds about Thanksgiving.

CLICK HERE>> Thanksgiving Theme Pre-K

Songs and Poems:

Little Pilgrim

Sung to: "Twinkle Twinkle "

Little Pilgrim dressed in gray

on that first Thanksgiving Day.

Little Indian dressed in brown,

Came to visit Plymouth Town,

They both came to eat and pray

on that first Thanksgiving Day.

~Original Author Unknown

The Turkey Song

Sung to: "I'm a Little Teapot"

I'm a little turkey

Short and Fat

Thanksgiving Day is coming

Now what do you think of that ?

I had better run as fast as I can

Or your mommy will roast me in a pan!

~Original Author Unknown

Albuquerque Turkey

Sung to: "My Darlin Clementine"

Albuquerque is a turkey

And he's feathered and he's fine

And he wobbles and he gobbles

And he's absolutely mine!

He's the best pet you can get yet

Better than a dog or cat

He's my Albuquerque turkey

And I'm awfully proud of that!

And my Albuquerque turkey

Is so happy in his bed

'Cause for our Thanksgiving Dinner

We have spaghetti instead!

~Original Author Unknown

Five Little Turkeys

Five little turkeys by the barn door,

One waddled off, then there were four.

Four little turkeys out under the tree,

One waddled off, then there were three.

Three little turkeys with nothing to do.

One waddled off, then there were two.

Two little turkeys in the noonday sun,

One waddled off, then there was one.

One little turkey - better run away!

Soon will come Thanksgiving Day.

~Original Author Unknown