Celebrate Thanksgiving in the classroom with hands-on activities.
When looking for ways to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday in your classroom, be sure to incorporate a selection of hands-on activities for your students. Games and crafts encourage children to learn the significance of the holiday. Use your imagination to create activities that incorporate turkeys, fall leaves and pumpkins.
Gratitude Bag
Write the word "Thanksgiving" on several index cards. Draw pictures, such as food, clothes, trees, stores and cars on other index cards. Place all the index cards in a large paper sack and mix them up. Have each child draw a card from the bag. If she draws a card with a picture on it, she must express why she is thankful for that item. If she draws a card that says, "Thanksgiving," she must express someone she is thankful for and why.
Thanksgiving Hand Wreath
Trace each child's hand on red, brown, orange and yellow construction paper. Cut the hands out. Cut a paper ring out of a large poster board. Have the children help you arrange the fall-colored handprints around the paper ring. Cover the paper ring with the handprints and tie a piece of string around the wreath to hang it up. For added decoration, place an autumn-themed bow on the top or bottom of the wreath.
Pin the Feather on the Turkey
Draw a picture of a turkey on a large poster board. Draw a dotted line around one of the feathers. Print several feathers and write each child's name on a feather. Blindfold each pupil and spin him three times. Tell him to try to pin the feather on the turkey. The child who pins the feather closest to the correct spot on the turkey wins the game. Another variation of this game is "pin the wattle on the turkey."
Turkey Hunt
Hide a plush turkey toy in the classroom. Have your students walk around the room looking for the turkey. The child who finds the turkey wins the game and a small prize, such as a Thanksgiving-themed pencil, eraser or stickers.
Thanksgiving Napkin Rings
Cut toilet paper rolls in 1 1/2-inch rings and give each child four rings. Place a bowl of uncooked popcorn on the tables, as well as a few bowls of fall-colored acrylic paints. Tell the pupils to paint the rings and glue the uncooked popcorn to them. The children can take the decorated napkin rings home to their parents.
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