Looking for low-prep Thanksgiving-themed writing activities for your Middle School ELA classes? I've got SIX for you!
In my previous blog post, Surviving the Holiday Hustle: Five Teacher Tips for a Smooth End to the Year!, I recommended really planning to take it easy on yourself at this time of year-- it's hard enough as it is to make it through the day! When you have so many distractions from your usual routine, it's best to have a few EASY activities up your sleeve. Bookmark this page so you can use some of these to get you through the hectic holiday season in your classroom!
1. Gratitude Letters
Have students write letters expressing gratitude to someone in their life. This activity not only reinforces the importance of gratitude but also provides an opportunity to practice letter writing skills.
2. Thanksgiving Story Starters
Provide students with Thanksgiving-themed story starters (e.g., "On Thanksgiving morning, I woke up to find..."). Ask them to complete the stories, incorporating elements of the holiday into their narratives.
More fun story starters...
"In a land made of mashed potatoes and gravy rivers, a group of adventurous kids set out on a quest to find the legendary..."
"As the Thanksgiving Day parade marched through the streets of New York City, a group of kids discovered a mystery that just had to be solved..."
"In Grandma's attic, Timmy stumbled upon an enchanted cookbook that had a recipe for a pumpkin pie that could grant..."
"While playing hide-and-seek in the pumpkin patch, Emily and Alex found a mysterious door leading to a Thanksgiving feast in a..."
"On the night before Thanksgiving, a friendly scarecrow came to life and offered to help the kids with their..."
"In a world where vegetables were the rulers, a group of kids embarked on a quest to save Thanksgiving by finding the missing..."
4. Historical Thanksgiving Menu
Research historical Thanksgiving recipes and menus. Then, have students create a menu and write a brief description of the historical context behind each dish. This activity combines research, writing, and creativity.
5. Thanksgiving Poetry
Ask students to write poems about gratitude, family, or the spirit of Thanksgiving. They can explore various poetic forms like haiku, acrostic, or free verse.
Check out my Anne Frank Poetry Book Project-- you could easily use it as a template for Thanksgiving poetry!
6. Character Feast
Have students choose a character from a book or a story and imagine what Thanksgiving dinner would be like if that character hosted it. They can describe the menu, decorations, and interactions, incorporating the character's traits into the scenario. This is definitely my favorite idea!
What are some low-prep activities you plan for at this time of year?? Share them in the comments below!
Comments
Post a Comment