As a middle school and high school student, I remember looking forward to the day before Thanksgiving break. Everyone was always cheerful and there were usually fun activities to do! Even as a teacher, I now love implementing plenty of entertaining classroom activities for my students that aren’t just another movie. Don’t get me wrong, movies are great, but I like to encourage activities that foster connection and strengthen classroom culture. Below are some ideas for your middle school or high school ELA students that accomplish those goals for day before Thanksgiving break perfection!
Write Letters of Gratitude
I love having my students write letters to people they love to express their gratitude. We usually break out the markers and neatly designed paper so they can become keepsakes for those receiving them. I have a complete template in my shop (click here!), but this activity can easily be replicated on your own. These would also be great to give to school staff members.
Create a Gratitude Banner
Even big kids love to color! Break out my Gratitude Classroom Banner Activity for day before Thanksgiving break perfection. Students love filling this in with all of the things they are grateful for and coloring until their hearts are content. These banners bring back some of the nostalgia of elementary school and my students always love seeing their work hanging in my classroom no matter how old they are.
Play Word Games
Breaking out Scrabble or Boggle is ALWAYS a good idea. Another fun addition is to print out Word Games for students to complete during class. (I might encourage snacking while completing these.)
Incorporate Creative Writing
This year I am using my Roll a Thanksgiving Story activity with my own students. I am in love with these activities. The digital version uses a fun “dice script” (see below for a demo on my Roll a Suspenseful Story activity) so students can roll their plot elements. They then take what they’ve rolled and write a creative story. My students enjoy this activity when I’ve used it in other instances, so I’m excited to see what they come up with for this one!
Football Reading and Writing Activities
What better time of the year than Thanksgiving to read about football’s greatest stars? Check out my full bundle of close reading activities featuring the following football greats: Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Greene, Joe Montana, Michael Oher, and Lawrence Taylor. You can choose one or get all 6 at over 20% off by grabbing the bundle. (And you get the Michael Oher reading for free!) Pair these readings with a great movie like The Blind Side or Remember the Titans and you’ve got yourself a perfect day before break!
Thanksgiving Character Analysis
If you’re working on character analysis, try creating a char-a-copia with your students! Never heard of one? That’s because I made it up!
In this fresh activity, students curate a set of objects to include in a cornucopia for any character. It’s analysis mixed with a fun little art project. There are templates, examples, and a rubric in my done-for-you project, so check it out!
Digital Classroom Games
Incorporate some pre-made games from Kahoot or Plickers to add some festive fun to your classroom and get everyone in the competitive spirit.
Get a Done-For-You Bundle of Thanksgiving Activities!
Get five engaging and fun activities that you can use the entire month of November in your classroom! Click here to get the bundle!
What do you like to do in your classroom the day before Thanksgiving Break? Which of these ideas would you like to try? Let me know in the comments below or join me on Instagram or Facebook to join the discussion.
Happy teaching!
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