thanksgiving crafts

1-2-3- Come Make A Thanksgiving Wreath With Me 

Here's a little fall-themed, leaf craftivity, with a variety of writing prompt options.

thankful wreath, thankful writing prompts, thanksgiving activities, thanksgiving crafts, thanksgiving writing promptsFor November, students can write something that they are thankful for on each leaf

For more room, have them complete the writing prompt in the center circle. 

thankful wreath, thankful writing prompts, thanksgiving activities, thanksgiving crafts, thanksgiving writing promptsI've included a pattern for that, which you can run off on fall-colored paper. 

I've also included Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Thanksgiving" poem, as another option for the center, so you can fit the poetry genre into your reading block.

thankful wreath, thankful writing prompts, thanksgiving activities, thanksgiving crafts, thanksgiving writing prompts"Fall is . . ." is another writing prompt option.  Students can write various adjectives that describe fall on the leaves, and/or write what fall is to them, inside the circle.

Younger students can simply cut and glue leaves to make an autumn welcome wreath. I've included a "Welcome Fall" center circle as well. 

thankful wreath, thankful writing prompts, thanksgiving activities, thanksgiving crafts, thanksgiving writing promptsThere are also plain and patterned leaves to choose from, as well as a bow option

I’ve included my completed samples to help you make a choice.

Adding a school photo as well as some glitter, adds extra pizzazz and that finishing touch. Completed projects make a lovely November, or fall bulletin board too. 

thankful wreath, thankful writing prompts, thanksgiving activities, thanksgiving crafts, thanksgiving writing promptsFor more writing practice, I've included two, leafy, bookmark-size writing prompts as well, plus my 2 completed samples, so you can quickly make an example to share.

Besides the Ralph Waldo Emerson Poem, I’ve also included a page of his interesting quotes.

Give older students an additional writing assignment; have them choose a quote and explain it, then tell if they agree or disagree.

Click on the link to zip on over to my TpT shop to have a look.  Autumn Leaf Wreath.

thankful wreath, thankful writing prompts, thanksgiving activities, thanksgiving crafts, thanksgiving writing promptsToday's featured FREEBIE is some sweet turkey-themed one-to-one correspondence cards. 

I've included a full color set, a blank set to program with higher numbers, as well as a black & white set, so that students can draw, glue items, or press on X amount of stickers, as a worksheet activity.  

I use a tub of buttons and a dish of flat-backed rhinestones.  My little girls especially enjoy playing with the "jewels". 

thankful wreath, thankful writing prompts, thanksgiving activities, thanksgiving crafts, thanksgiving writing promptsWell that's it for today.  Time to get ready for my grandchildren.  They will certainly bring sunshine to this rainy, cold & dreary November day.  

Wishing you a day filled with lots of love and memorable moments.

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead, where there is no path, and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

1-2-3 Come Do a Thanksgiving-Themed Writing Craftivity With Me

All I ever have to do to get my kiddos highly motivated and excited to write, is put a little bit of craftiness into the project.

november writing prompts, thanksgiving writing prompts, i'm thankful activities, thanksgiving crafts, thanksgiving activities, With that in mind, I designed these "Thankful Wheels”, which do just the trick in getting them happily, right down to business.

Beforehand, gather children around your whiteboard.  Brainstorm a list of the things that they are thankful for.

We discuss synonyms like grateful and appreciative as well.

Write these on the board, so that students can refer to the list for correct spelling, as well as choose which ones are appropriate to them.

sample boyAs a pre-writing activity, children make their list of 6 things that they are thankful for, when they are content with the final draft, they write this on the Pilgrim-topped papertrim and assemble their wheels, then illustrate and color them.

In keeping with Thanksgiving, there are 4, wheel-top designs to choose from: A Pilgrim boy or girl, or a Native American boy or girl.

Younger kiddos do the simpler 3-piece wheel, where they only have to think of 3 things that they are thankful for.

For more writing practice, have students label their pictures.

november writing prompts, thanksgiving writing prompts, i'm thankful activities, thanksgiving crafts, thanksgiving activities, So that my kiddos get practice speaking, I always have them share one thing about any of the projects that we do.  

This is also an interesting and fun way for them to continue to get to know their classmates.

november writing prompts, thanksgiving writing prompts, i'm thankful activities, thanksgiving crafts, thanksgiving activities, As always, I've included my completed, full-color samples, so that you can quickly make an example to share, helping to explain what you want your students to do.

Click on the link to zip on over to my TpT shop to take a look at the “I’m Thankful For . . .” writing prompt wheels & toppers.

10 frame cards, thanksgiving activities, pilgrim activitiesToday's featured FREEBIE is a set of Thanksgiving-themed 10 FramesI hope you find them useful.   

november writing prompts, thanksgiving writing prompts, i'm thankful activities, thanksgiving crafts, thanksgiving activities, Well that’s it for today.  Thanks for stopping by.  I got up early to post this, so now it’s time to get ready for church.  

I’m extremely thankful to God for all of my many blessings.   Wishing you a peaceful day.

"Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings." - William Arthur Ward

1-2-3 Come Do Some Thanksgiving Shape Activities With Me

One of the most common symbols of Thanksgiving is the Pilgrim hat. When I was doing research about the Pilgrims for several of the packets, I was surprised to learn that they did not really sport the large brass buckles on their hats and shoes, despite belief to the contrary.

Pilgrim costumes, pilgrim clothes, pilgrim crafts, pilgrim games, pilgrim activities, turkey shapes, turkey games, turkey activities, turkey crafts, pilgrim crafts, shape games, shape activities, shape lessons, shape cards, In search of a "buckled up" pilgrim picture, I came across a costume company that sells this "authentic" Pilgrim garb.  It is because most of the 17th-century artists also depicted couples this way, that we have come to believe that they all wore buckles.

Buckles didn’t come into fashion until decades after the Pilgrims left England, and were used as a status symbol, since they were more expensive than other fastening solutions. 

The Pilgrims did wear the conical hats, which I discovered were called capotains, but they didn’t have buckles, nor did their belts. 

Pilgrim boys and men, held up their pants with leather laces tied to their shirts and doublets. These facts have been gleaned from historical records, passenger lists, wills, diaries, and letters that included descriptions of clothing.  Buckles later became very popular in England because they were an expensive fashion statement, however, they were not part of Pilgrim dress.

Pilgrim costumes, pilgrim clothes, pilgrim crafts, pilgrim games, pilgrim activities, turkey shapes, turkey games, turkey activities, turkey crafts, pilgrim crafts, shape games, shape activities, shape lessons, shape cards, I thought you'd enjoy learning this bit of trivia, which you can share with your students when they do the Shapely Buckle craftivity.  Years ago I made a Pilgrim buckle shape booklet, and thought I'd up-date that idea with a new packet.

This one includes a pattern for the Pilgrim's hat, which I cut out of black construction paper.  A mini-buckle booklet is stapled together and then glued to the center of the hat. 

Children flip the pages to reveal the different shaped buckles.  Adding a bit of gold glitter glue to the cover, really adds that finishing touch.

Pilgrim costumes, pilgrim clothes, pilgrim crafts, pilgrim games, pilgrim activities, turkey shapes, turkey games, turkey activities, turkey crafts, pilgrim crafts, shape games, shape activities, shape lessons, shape cards, A graphing extension is also included, showing which shaped buckle your students thought would be the best.  The large shape cards that feature traceable shape-words, can be uses as pocket or flashcards to review and assess.   Make an extra set; laminate, trim and cut into puzzles

Pilgrim costumes, pilgrim clothes, pilgrim crafts, pilgrim games, pilgrim activities, turkey shapes, turkey games, turkey activities, turkey crafts, pilgrim crafts, shape games, shape activities, shape lessons, shape cards, Students can also make an Itty Bitty booklet, as a cover is included.  Children trace and color the shape buckles, as well as trace and write the shape words.

Pilgrim costumes, pilgrim clothes, pilgrim crafts, pilgrim games, pilgrim activities, turkey shapes, turkey games, turkey activities, turkey crafts, pilgrim crafts, shape games, shape activities, shape lessons, shape cards, I've also included smaller buckle shape cards along with shape word cards to play Memory Match or "I Have; Who Has?" games.  Children can match shape to shape or shape to word. 

Click on the link to view/download the Shapely Buckles packet.  I've shared quite a few Thanksgiving/Pilgrim links in other blog articles and found another one today that you might also enjoy. This link contains 6 short video clips that include interesting Thanksgiving/Pilgrim information from the History Channel.

Pilgrim costumes, pilgrim clothes, pilgrim crafts, pilgrim games, pilgrim activities, turkey shapes, turkey games, turkey activities, turkey crafts, pilgrim crafts, shape games, shape activities, shape lessons, shape cards, Since the Penguin Shape packet I & II as well as the Shapely Owls continue to be three of the most downloaded items on my site, I thought it would be fun to make one featuring turkeys. 

Teachers can make the large shape-head turkeys for display or review, and then have students choose their favorite shape and make a shape body - turkey bird of their own. 

Pilgrim costumes, pilgrim clothes, pilgrim crafts, pilgrim games, pilgrim activities, turkey shapes, turkey games, turkey activities, turkey crafts, pilgrim crafts, shape games, shape activities, shape lessons, shape cards, A turkey version of the 4-Corners game can also be played with the large turkey heads.  Directions are included in the packet.
Pilgrim costumes, pilgrim clothes, pilgrim crafts, pilgrim games, pilgrim activities, turkey shapes, turkey games, turkey activities, turkey crafts, pilgrim crafts, shape games, shape activities, shape lessons, shape cards,

There are some turkey shape word cards you can use for pocket or flashcards. 

Make extra sets to play Memory Match or "I Have; Who Has?" games, or cut them apart and make puzzles.  Click on the link to view/download the The Shape Of My Turkeys packet.

Pilgrim costumes, pilgrim clothes, pilgrim crafts, pilgrim games, pilgrim activities, turkey shapes, turkey games, turkey activities, turkey crafts, pilgrim crafts, shape games, shape activities, shape lessons, shape cards, Finally, Susan over in Texas, asked if I could make the Pilgrim Shape Spinner game featuring turkeys.  No problem.  If you'd like a set too, click on the link to grab it.  Turkey Spinner Shape game.

Thanks for visiting today. I hope you can stop by tomorrow for a few more FREEBIES hot off the press.

"What could we accomplish if we knew we could not fail?" - Eleabor Roosevelt

1-2-3 Come Do Some Indian Corn "Craftivities" With Me!

Yesterday I posted cornucopia-themed activities.  (Scroll down to see that blog article.) To add some more variety to your November lessons, I have some cute  Indian corn items that I think you and your kiddo's will enjoy. Corn was a life saving food that both the Indians and Pilgrims ate in a variety of ways.

crayon melt activities, thanksgiving crafts, thanksgiving activities, thanksgiving games, thanksgiving arts and crafts, thanksgiving crafts, november bulletin board ideas, thanksgiving bulletin board ideas, november crafts for kids, indian corn crafts, indian corn games, indian corn activities, shape activities, graphing activities, shape graphs, handprint turkeys, family handprint turkeys, finger print indian corn, All of these activities appear in the Indian Corn Craftivities packet.  Click on the link to view/download it.

crayon melt activities, thanksgiving crafts, thanksgiving activities, thanksgiving games, thanksgiving arts and crafts, thanksgiving crafts, november bulletin board ideas, thanksgiving bulletin board ideas, november crafts for kids, indian corn crafts, indian corn games, indian corn activities, shape activities, graphing activities, shape graphs, handprint turkeys, family handprint turkeys, finger print indian corn, My personal favorite is the melted crayon corn.  Since we made apples and fall trees using this technique, my students know what to do.

The photo truly does not do this craftivity justice.  The results really look like Indian corn; my kiddos were amazed with the awesome results.  I thought the raffia bows added that finishing touch. I tied them ahead of time for my Y5's to staple at the top of their corn. 

crayon melt activities, thanksgiving crafts, thanksgiving activities, thanksgiving games, thanksgiving arts and crafts, thanksgiving crafts, november bulletin board ideas, thanksgiving bulletin board ideas, november crafts for kids, indian corn crafts, indian corn games, indian corn activities, shape activities, graphing activities, shape graphs, handprint turkeys, family handprint turkeys, finger print indian corn, Another favorite of mine is the fingerprint corn.  The one in the photo I did with my 1-year-old grandson, Kaiden.  I couldn't believe he sat so quietly while I pressed his index finger into the different colored stamp pads!  

I made the corn husks out of a lunch bag and then crumpled them up.  You could also trace & cut a child's hand print to glue at the base.   The British word for corn is maize so I added a play on words sentiment. ("I hope you have an 'a-maize-ing' Thanksgiving.")

Since he was sitting so quietly, I also wanted to do the ever-popular turkey hand print with him.  crayon melt activities, thanksgiving crafts, thanksgiving activities, thanksgiving games, thanksgiving arts and crafts, thanksgiving crafts, november bulletin board ideas, thanksgiving bulletin board ideas, november crafts for kids, indian corn crafts, indian corn games, indian corn activities, shape activities, graphing activities, shape graphs, handprint turkeys, family handprint turkeys, finger print indian corn, While I was putzing with his hands, I thought it would be fun to turn them into a family turkey and include a tracing of his mom's and dad's hand too.   The heart says: My family is turkey-riffic.  

I used Kaiden's little hand for the wing and bent it up, to add some 3D pop.  The beak is also 3 dimensional. You could do this new twist with your students too.  Simply send the construction paper home with a note and directions.  I've included a letter in the packet: Family Turkey Prints.

crayon melt activities, thanksgiving crafts, thanksgiving activities, thanksgiving games, thanksgiving arts and crafts, thanksgiving crafts, november bulletin board ideas, thanksgiving bulletin board ideas, november crafts for kids, indian corn crafts, indian corn games, indian corn activities, shape activities, graphing activities, shape graphs, handprint turkeys, family handprint turkeys, finger print indian corn, Getting back to our Indian corn theme, have students color in the corn kernels.  It's  a great fine motor skill.  However, to make this less tedious, I made it a game. 

Students choose a partner and take turns rolling a dice.  Whatever number they roll they color in that many kernels of corn.  Remind them to use a variety of colors. (I bring in some samples of real Indian corn to show them the variety.)

There are also several worksheets to reinforce other standards, such as this Indian corn graphing activity. Older students can roll 2 dice and add them together.  I've included a math worksheet where they can show the equations on the back. 

On the front, students guess how many kernels are on the cob.  They make tally marks each time they color, and then count by 5's to find out the answer. (There are 110.) 

There are also several worksheets to reinforce other standards, such as this Indian corn graphing activity. I've also included several other worksheets to reinforce more  standards, such as this Indian corn graphing activity.

There are also several worksheets to reinforce other standards, such as this Indian corn graphing activity. There's a patterning activity, and a graphing paper craft where students also color the Indian corn. 

When I ate lunch with my friend Alma, she made tamales wrapped in cornhusks.  She said she bought the cornhusks from the grocery store. 

I thought adding some to one of my students' craftivities would add that finishing touch, so I bought a pack and we stapled them to the base of our cob for a realistic touch.

There are also several worksheets to reinforce other standards, such as this Indian corn graphing activity. As long as you're doing a few corn-themed things, why not buy a bag of popcorn.  I LOVE popcorn, and it was something even the Pilgrims had, although I think they used it to make some sort of mushy cereal.

I'm munching popcorn right now (for breakfast) because I needed to take this photo and couldn't resist.  I think your kiddo's will have fun with these 1-to-1 correspondence Indian corn cards. 

Print, laminate and trim the full-color cards, or run off a set of black and white. After students wash their hands, pass out some popped and un-popped corn.  Children can place the popped corn above the cards for lower numbers, and put the kernels on the corn for all of the numbers. 

When they have completed their work they can eat their cup of popcorn.  (Collect and recylcle the un-popped kernels to use again next year.)

If you want your kiddo's to take a black and white set home, put a dollop of Elmer's glue on a small paper plate.  Give children a Q-tip to make a glue dot on their corn cob and place however many kernels on it that match the number.  Set aside to dry.  I've also included a page of interesting trivia about popcorn.

crayon melt activities, thanksgiving crafts, thanksgiving activities, thanksgiving games, thanksgiving arts and crafts, thanksgiving crafts, november bulletin board ideas, thanksgiving bulletin board ideas, november crafts for kids, indian corn crafts, indian corn games, indian corn activities, shape activities, graphing activities, shape graphs, handprint turkeys, family handprint turkeys, finger print indian corn, Finally, since my brain never shuts off, I'm forever asking "What educational thing can I make or do with this?"   While grocery shopping last week, I saw that many stores had Halloween candy 50% to 75% off and wondered how I could incorporate candy corn with Thanksgiving. 

crayon melt activities, thanksgiving crafts, thanksgiving activities, thanksgiving games, thanksgiving arts and crafts, thanksgiving crafts, november bulletin board ideas, thanksgiving bulletin board ideas, november crafts for kids, indian corn crafts, indian corn games, indian corn activities, shape activities, graphing activities, shape graphs, handprint turkeys, family handprint turkeys, finger print indian corn, I always made some little treat for my kiddo's just before they left on break and thought maybe other teachers would like to do that too.  

Run off the candy corn note and pass it out 15-minutes before dismissal. To expedite the activity, count 5 pieces of candy corn out for each child the day before and put them in Dixie cups.

I made a template with the star on it for really little ones to place their candy on, as well as one without the pattern to challenge students to make the star.  It's interesting to note that when the bottoms touch a bit they will make the 5-sided pentagon shape. Woo hoo another teachable moment!

crayon melt activities, thanksgiving crafts, thanksgiving activities, thanksgiving games, thanksgiving arts and crafts, thanksgiving crafts, november bulletin board ideas, thanksgiving bulletin board ideas, november crafts for kids, indian corn crafts, indian corn games, indian corn activities, shape activities, graphing activities, shape graphs, handprint turkeys, family handprint turkeys, finger print indian corn, Except for the family turkey print, (separate link) all of these activities can be found in the Indian Corn Craftivities packet. 

Thanks for visiting today.   I'm off to go find my Thanksgiving decorations.  Am anxious to take down Halloween and put up some cute little turkeys.  Wishing you a happy day and blessed November.

"We should be thankful for the wonderful things we have, and the awful things that we don't" -Unknown

1 2 3 Come Do Some Cornucopia Craftivities With Me

Instead of just doing a turkey or Pilgrim theme in November, add some variety with cornucopiasPlenty of Cornucopias is a 37-page packet filled with a nice selection of ideas.

Introduce your lessons by asking if anyone knows what a cornucopia is. I spent some time searching the web for background and enjoyed learning some new trivia, which I put in a 1-page Cornucopia Tidbits page.  To reinforce the new vocabulary word, I've included a trace and write worksheet.

thanksgiving arts and crafts, thanksgiving crafts, cornucopia activities, cornucopia crafts, november bulletin board ideas, thanksgiving bulletin board ideas, november writing prompts, thanksgiving writing prompts, november word find, thanksgiving word find, shape activities, shape craftsMy Y5's especially enjoyed the lunch bag cornucopias because we sparkled them up with a bit of glitter glue. I pre-folded the bags over and demonstrated how to twist the bottom to turn it into a cornucopia. 

This is wonderful fine motor practice. As you can see by the photograph, these make a lovely bulletin board.

There are two options to choose from.  One is simply a coloring page of the fruit spilling out.  Students color, cut and glue to the inside of their bag. 

To ensure that they used lots of colors, I told my kiddo's that whatever colors they used, we would add those glitter colors. 

It was amazing how this resulted in really great coloring!  I set the glitter-station up as an adult-run center.

thanksgiving arts and crafts, thanksgiving crafts, cornucopia activities, cornucopia crafts, november bulletin board ideas, thanksgiving bulletin board ideas, november writing prompts, thanksgiving writing prompts, november word find, thanksgiving word find, paper bag cornucopias, shape activities, shape craftsFor the other option, run off the fruit patterns on construction paper.  Rough cut.  Students trim and glue to the inside of their cornucopia bag.  I assemble one as a "how to" sample. 

thanksgiving arts and crafts, thanksgiving crafts, cornucopia activities, cornucopia crafts, november bulletin board ideas, thanksgiving bulletin board ideas, november writing prompts, thanksgiving writing prompts, november word find, thanksgiving word find, paper bag cornucopias, shape activities, shape craftsThe Rip & Tear Mosaic cornucopia is also great fine motor practice.  Encourage students to rip the 1/2 inch paper strips into color piles and then rub their glue stick over a certain area and place their "tiles" down.

thanksgiving arts and crafts, thanksgiving crafts, cornucopia activities, cornucopia crafts, november bulletin board ideas, thanksgiving bulletin board ideas, november writing prompts, thanksgiving writing prompts, november word find, thanksgiving word find, paper bag cornucopias, shape activities, shape craftsI show how to press the torn paper around the edges of a food, and then fill in the rest of the area. 

Remind students that they can overlap pieces and that there should be very little white showing through. 

These also make a beautiful bulletin board.  The mosaics really pop on a black background.

thanksgiving arts and crafts, thanksgiving crafts, cornucopia activities, cornucopia crafts, november bulletin board ideas, thanksgiving bulletin board ideas, november writing prompts, thanksgiving writing prompts, november word find, thanksgiving word find, paper bag cornucopias, shape activities, shape craftsThe "Plenty of Shapes" cornucopia, reviews 2D shapes.  Another activity you can do with this shape craft, is to brainstorm with students about what real foods come in those shapes. i.e and egg is an oval shape.

thanksgiving arts and crafts, thanksgiving crafts, cornucopia activities, cornucopia crafts, november bulletin board ideas, thanksgiving bulletin board ideas, november writing prompts, thanksgiving writing prompts, november word find, thanksgiving word find, paper bag cornucopias, shape activities, shape craftsHow many can they think of?  I've included a list of my own that you can share with your kiddos, after they've completed theirs.

I've also included a matching "Shape Up!" spinner game.

thanksgiving arts and crafts, thanksgiving crafts, cornucopia activities, cornucopia crafts, november bulletin board ideas, thanksgiving bulletin board ideas, november writing prompts, thanksgiving writing prompts, november word find, thanksgiving word find, paper bag cornucopias, shape activities, shape craftsChildren choose a partner and take turns spinning.  Whatever shape they land on, they color that shape on their recording sheet. 

Encourage students to say the names of the colors and shapes as they play the game. 

Students also write down their favorite shape and something in real life that's that shape. i.e. circle-pizza.

cov corn puz3 cornucopia number puzzles, review counting forwards and backwards, as well as skip counting by 10's.  They make a nice independent center or something for "early finishers" to work on.


thanksgiving arts and crafts, thanksgiving crafts, cornucopia activities, cornucopia crafts, november bulletin board ideas, thanksgiving bulletin board ideas, november writing prompts, thanksgiving writing prompts, november word find, thanksgiving word find, paper bag cornucopias, shape activities, shape craftsThere are several writing prompts + a November Word Search.

Finally, I think your students will enjoy the November word search.  A word search is not only fun, but reinforces new seasonal vocabulary as well as spelling.  thanksgiving arts and crafts, thanksgiving crafts, cornucopia activities, cornucopia crafts, november bulletin board ideas, thanksgiving bulletin board ideas, november writing prompts, thanksgiving writing prompts, november word find, thanksgiving word find, paper bag cornucopias, thanksgiving games, thanksgiving centers.shape activities, shape crafts

The Roll & Color Cornucopia game is also a fun way to reinforce numbers and colors. 

Click on the link to view/download the Cornucopia Craftivies packet.

Thanks for visiting today.  I hope you can stop by tomorrow for some wonderful Indian corn-themed activities.

thanksgiving arts and crafts, thanksgiving crafts, cornucopia activities, cornucopia crafts, november bulletin board ideas, thanksgiving bulletin board ideas, november writing prompts, thanksgiving writing prompts, november word find, thanksgiving word find, paper bag cornucopias, thanksgiving games, thanksgiving centers.shape activities, shape craftsMy daughter's expecting a baby girl any day now, so I have much to do today and much to be thankful for.  My feet have definitely hit the floor running!  Wishing you a relaxing afternoon.

"He who thanks but with the lips thanks but in part; for the full, the true Thanksgiving, comes from the heart." -J.A. Shedd

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