As I write this on a Saturday afternoon, I’m looking ahead to this week and see two days of school and then a glorious 5 day break for Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving falls very late this year, and I know that many teachers and students are so ready for this time to rest and recharge after a busy back-to-school season.

Some of us might be pushing to finish a unit before Thanksgiving break or maybe we are at a point where the focus before break needs to be on reinforcing historical thinking skills or classroom relationships. I just finished my Progressive Era unit last week and will be working on some Thanksgiving-related lessons with my students this upcoming week, but I wanted to make sure this isn’t just “busy work” with no real purpose. So, I created two resources that serve this purpose. Read about both below!

History of Thanksgiving – Historical Thinking Skills

This activity is not your typical “history of Thanksgiving” story, but instead explores the changing date of Thanksgiving in the US and the presidents who made those changes. Students will read a short article and then analyze that secondary source to form an argument using evidence as well as create a timeline of events. Historical thinking skills in this activity include:

• Secondary source analysis
• Contextualization
• Periodization
• Argumentation

This resource includes a printable version as well as a digital version that can be easily distributed in Google Classroom. There is also a differentiated version of the timeline for students who need additional support in that area. Find it here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/History-of-Thanksgiving-Historical-Thinking-Skills-Printable-and-Digital-5034482

Friendsgiving – 5 Thanksgiving Activities For Creative Thinking and Friendship

This is the perfect time to continue building positive relationships between students and get them thinking creatively. There are five different activities in this resource so that you may pick and choose what works best for your students. This activity will work for any class subject area and can be used with upper elementary through high school students.

1. Famous or Historical Friendsgiving: You’re never too old to draw a hand turkey! Students plan a friendsgiving dinner with famous or historical individuals. (example included)
2. Top 10 Gratitudes: Gratitude is important to mental health and having a positive mindset. Students list the 10 things they are most thankful for this year. (example included)
3. Friendsgiving Bingo: Get students moving and talking while their minds might be halfway out the door to Thanksgiving break!
4. What Thanksgiving Dish are You?: Students think abstractly and do some self reflection in this writing activity! (example included)
5. Thankful for Friends: Students share with one another why they are thankful for them. A pleasant and positive way to start Thanksgiving break! (example included)

Find this resource here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Friendsgiving-5-Thanksgiving-Activities-For-Creative-Thinking-and-Friendship-5050143