Thanksgiving Activities for High School | Bundle | ELA Thanksgiving Activities

I've bundled together 6 of my favorite activities to use throughout the month of November in my secondary ELA classes. When you purchase this bundle you'll receive:

1. Thanksgiving Activity Informational Text | ELA Thanksgiving Reading
Use this Thanksgiving-themed reading activity in your ELA classes to keep your students engaged and working - but still enjoying the holiday! This informational text activity offers students quick-write activities, vocabulary, standards-based questions, and more! 

Students will learn all about the history of Black Friday shopping in this short, 2 page article! I've also included the digital version to make this activity fully accessible to distance learners, too! 

When you purchase this product, you'll receive:

- 3 quick write questions

- A list of vocabulary words for students to define

- Pre-reading questions

- A 2-page original article on the history of Black Friday Shopping

- Standards-based multiple choice questions + 1 writing question

- 3 Questions for further reflection

- Full, digital version of everything

- Answer key/suggestions 

2. Thanksgiving Turkey Textual Analysis for ELA | Creative Thanksgiving ELA Project

Keeping students engaged around the Thanksgiving holiday can be very difficult! I like to throw in some holiday fun while still reviewing the standards. My students love to cut, color, and create a turkey - and I love when they analyze literature. :) With this project, students will analyze ANY book or short story using creative illustrations on turkey feathers. Each feather deals with a specific component of literary analysis such as theme, character development, symbolism, conflict, and imagery. I've also included a written component so that students are continuing to practice writing skills AND writing about a specific text. Of course the directions are fully editable, as well...you can tailor your turkey feathers to your students! :) 

When you purchase this product, you'll receive:

- A turkey template (body + 5 feathers)

- Student directions for how to illustrate the turkey

- A written component for students to reflect on what they drew and why

- A full, color example of a turkey + the written component 

3. Gratitude Journal | Thanksgiving Writing
I love to have my students focus on how gratitude can positively affect their lives. I print or digitally share this gratitude journal with them throughout the month of November OR when I'm teaching a social-emotional learning unit on gratitude. This piece shifts their focus from negativity in order to focus on all of the things that they have to be thankful for - even the things we typically take for granted! 

I've included a digital version that you can use with your students via Google Slides! 

When you purchase this product you'll receive:

- A printable booklet with 30 unique writing prompts focused around gratitude

- A guide for assembling the booklet

- An unnumbered version of the booklet for individual prompt printing or displaying on a projector for students to use as a writing prompt

- Digital access to the Gratitude Journal to share with students

- Directions on how to access and share the Gratitude Journal 

4. Reading Comprehension Passage and Questions: Thanksgiving Reading on Gratitude
I love to engage my students with a reading that is a perfect fit for the Thanksgiving season OR a Social Emotional Learning Lesson. I’ve used this piece during the fall season to add a high-interest piece, but also practice the standards and skills that are required. This piece works especially well with teaching or testing the author's purpose, main idea, and author's argument. 

This could also be used as a sub-plan. Everything students need for vocabulary, critical thinking, and test prep are all included! 

I've included an article all about gratitude and how it has been scientifically proven to lessen depression. Students will see 10 multiple choice questions and one constructed-response question. I've also added a vocabulary practice and 5 pre-reading questions to get your students thinking about the text as well as their own lives. If you'd prefer a digital version of the text + a self-grading quiz, I've also added that to the packet with the instructions on how to implement Google Quizzes in your classroom. 

Multiple Choice Questions + Constructed Response Cover the following topics:

- Context Clues

- Central Idea

- Author's Purpose

- Personification

- Textual Support

- Tone

- Inference 

When you purchase this product you will receive:

- A Pre-reading activity for students

- 10 vocabulary words

- 5 reflective, essential questions for students

- A 3 page, original, informational text style article on Lizzie Borden

- 10 printable multiple choice questions

- 1 printable constructed response question

- Full answer Key

- Link to self-grading article + Google Quiz with all 10 MC + 1 Constructed Response

- Directions for self-grading article + Google Quiz 

5. Thanksgiving Activity for Middle School and High School - Reflective Personal Narrative
Autumn is a wonderful time to have students reflect on who/what they are thankful for. This assignment combines analytical skills with writing a personal narrative. Students are prompted to think about a specific person they are thankful for and why. This is not a simple "I am thankful for _________ because _________" assignment. This pushes students to think critically and to "show" rather than "tell" about a person they are thankful for. They are given a mentor text to color code and annotate. Then, they must use a planning guide (mini flip book that will fit in a composition notebook!) to plan their personal narrative. Students must also incorporate literary elements, theme support, and more into their narrative!

Includes:

- Mentor Text

- Annotation Color Code Guide

- Mini Flip Book to coach students through the planning phase of their narrative

- Writing suggestions

- Assignment details

- Narrative Writing Structure Guide

- Rubric 

6. Writing a Thank You Note Activity
Includes two quick activities perfect for adding the spirit of Thanksgiving to your classroom!

Includes:

- A guide to writing precise and polished thank you notes to teachers or principals

- A Color by Literary Device activity that includes: metaphors, similes, personification, hyperbole, subjective, objective, and allusions! (creates a Thanksgiving Picture!)