Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to celebrate family, gratitude, and different cultural traditions. Exploring the season through diverse picture books helps students and families understand various perspectives, including Native American views while learning about thankfulness and community. Here are five engaging Thanksgiving-themed picture books and activities that are ideal for both classroom and home use.
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell
This book celebrates the Cherokee tradition of expressing gratitude year-round, showcasing different seasons and cultural practices.
Activity:
- Seasonal Gratitude Journal: After reading, have students create a “Gratitude Journal” in which they write or draw something they’re thankful for each season. They can add to it throughout the year to remind themselves of the importance of ongoing gratitude.
- Cherokee Words Matching Game: Introduce a few Cherokee words used in the book and create a matching game. Students can match each word to its English meaning, learning new vocabulary and cultural appreciation.
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard
This book shares the story of fry bread, a significant food in many Native American cultures, and its role in family gatherings and traditions.
Activity:
- Fry Bread Recipe Activity: If possible, make fry bread as a class or have families try it at home. Students can read and follow the recipe provided in the book, learning about measurements, following directions, and cultural connections.
- Family Recipe Card Project: Have students write out a favorite family recipe on a card and share it with the class. This helps children understand that food plays an important role in family and cultural traditions, just like in the story.
Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson
This historical book tells the story of Sarah Hale, who worked tirelessly to make Thanksgiving a national holiday in the U.S.
Activity:
- Persuasive Letter Writing: Encourage students to write a persuasive letter about something they think should be celebrated or made into a holiday. This helps them understand Sarah Hale’s efforts and practice persuasive writing skills.
- Timeline Creation: Have students create a timeline showing key events in Sarah Hale’s journey to making Thanksgiving a national holiday. This reinforces understanding of historical events and sequencing.
Duck for Turkey Day by Jacqueline Jules
This story highlights how families celebrate Thanksgiving in their own unique ways, focusing on Tuyet’s Vietnamese-American family.
Activity:
- Holiday Foods Comparison Chart: Students can create a chart listing different foods eaten during Thanksgiving in their homes. This activity emphasizes the variety of traditions across cultures and promotes appreciation for diversity.
- Class Celebration Collage: Create a classroom collage where students bring in pictures or drawings of foods they eat at Thanksgiving or other holidays. This visual activity celebrates the diversity of holiday meals and traditions.
Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet
This book tells the story of Tony Sarg, the puppeteer behind the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, bringing an exciting piece of American history to life.
Activity:
- Parade Puppet Project: Have students create their own puppet character that they imagine could appear in a parade. They can use materials like paper bags, markers, and fabric scraps to bring their puppet to life.
- Design a Parade Float: Ask students to draw and color a float for their own imaginary Thanksgiving parade. This activity helps build creativity and allows them to design something they feel represents their community or family.
Using these picture books and activities around Thanksgiving encourages children to appreciate diverse perspectives, learn historical significance, and celebrate gratitude in unique ways. Whether it’s through cooking, crafting, or writing, these activities can make Thanksgiving a meaningful time for both students and families.