Thanksgiving Lesson Plan: Literacy Grades K-2

• Individual Development and Identity
o Performance Expectations
• (b) Help learners to identify, describe, and express appreciation for the influences of various historical and contemporary cultures on an individual's daily life
• (h) Assist learners as they work independently and cooperatively within groups and institutions to accomplish goals

Materials: Picture book: Thanksgiving Mice! By Bethany Roberts, construction paper, chalk, markers, crayons, colored pencils

Objectives:
• Students will develop an awareness of the importance of showing appreciation.
• Students will come up with ways to show appreciation towards others.
• Students will learn how to make an acrostic poem.
• Students will gain literary content through the use of a picture book.

Activity Summary:

Students will be listening to a book about a Thanksgiving play. This book will be used to get them thinking about Thanksgiving and why it is such an important holiday. Students will also learn about various Thanksgiving traditions through the use of the book and discuss some of their own family traditions. They will also gain background knowledge of the history of Thanksgiving Day and how it has become an important American holiday.
After discussing family traditions, students will discuss why it is important to show our appreciation to others and different ways that we can do that. The teacher will also help the students come up with ideas such as; helping a friend with a problem, giving a gift of appreciation, doing something kind for someone else, etc. The teacher will also mention that giving cards as a sign of appreciation is a great way to say "thank you" to someone special. The teacher will show the students an example of an appreciation card and the students will also be making appreciation cards for their loved ones using a Thanksgiving theme. Students will be allowed to choose who they would like to make an appreciation/Thanksgiving card for. Students will complete their cards using words and pictures with the help of the teacher. Students will also make turkeys on the front of the cards if they want to. The students will be given as much time as they need to make one card, and if there is extra time they will be allowed to make more than one card.
Students will also take part in writing an acrostic poem using the word Thanksgiving. They will work together to come up with something they are thankful for that begins with each letter of the word. If there is extra time, the students will come up with a larger list of all the things they are thankful for using the word Thanksgiving. Finally students will engage in thoughtful discussion on the importance of showing others we appreciate them and how we can do that.

Activity Teaching Procedure:

• Teacher will begin by introducing herself and having the students introduce themselves and share one family tradition that occurs each Thanksgiving.
• Teacher will then read the book, Thanksgiving Mice! To the students while asking the students questions about what they know about Thanksgiving and why we celebrate it.
• Teacher will develop an acrostic poem with the students using the word, Thanksgiving. Students will think of things they are thankful for that begin with each letter of the word.
• Students will come up with ways that they can show appreciation for each other and for their families.
• Teacher will make a list of these things.
• Students will then make cards for their loved ones showing their appreciation and thankfulness for them. (teacher will present example)
• Students will end the lesson by sharing their cards and if there is time left over, students may draw a picture of a Thanksgiving feast and share it with the group, or they may make more cards for the people in their life who they appreciate.

Activity Assessment:

Assessment will occur mainly through observation. Students will need to listen quietly and attentively to the reading of the story. They will also need to be responsive to discussion questions. Students will also need to do their best and work together to complete the acrostic poem. Students will also be expected to each complete their own card. Because of various writing abilities, the teacher will assist where it is necessary. The classroom teacher may need to look over the work to see if they are working to their maximum abilities because the tutor will not know what level of writing the students are currently capable of.
Also, the students will be responsible for helping to clean up the materials and properly distribute their cards of appreciation.