{"id":22517,"date":"2022-03-30T07:48:21","date_gmt":"2022-03-30T07:48:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teachingexpertise.com\/?p=22517"},"modified":"2024-04-22T02:42:34","modified_gmt":"2024-04-22T02:42:34","slug":"thanksgiving-activities-for-middle-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teachingexpertise.com\/middle-school\/thanksgiving-activities-for-middle-school\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Turkey-Flavored Thanksgiving Activities for Middle School"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t<p>Ah, it&#8217;s autumn&#8230; the holiday season is getting close, and the chance for some well-earned rest.<\/p>\n<p>Until you realize there&#8217;s another week of school to go!<\/p>\n<p>Planning fun classroom activities is a challenge when you&#8217;re exhausted, so we&#8217;re going to make things simple for you middle school teachers. From fun to factual, these Thanksgiving activity ideas will give you a smooth ride to the holidays.<\/p>\n<h2>\n\t\t<strong>1. Interactive Thanksgiving Game<\/strong>\n\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/XSqg4AsSQPClEgCVv2VM\" alt=\"XSqg4AsSQPClEgCVv2VM\" itemprop=\"image\" title=\"XSqg4AsSQPClEgCVv2VM\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\n\t<p>High-quality digital activities are hard to find.<\/p>\n<p>But this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachingexpertise.com\/classroom-ideas\/educational-videos-for-middle-schoolers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">educational video<\/a> game unravels the real story of Thanksgiving.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s got fun history activities and an engaging storyline. Students will love unlocking the actual history of 1621.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/plimoth.org\/for-students\/you-are-the-historian\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Pilmonth<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>\n\t\t<strong>2. Thanksgiving History Task<\/strong>\n\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/X8oehUBEQmusi8TezzwN\" alt=\"X8oehUBEQmusi8TezzwN\" itemprop=\"image\" title=\"X8oehUBEQmusi8TezzwN\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\n\t<p>his is a really clever task to sharpen critical thinking skills.<\/p>\n<p>Your students will examine J.L.G. Ferris&#8217;s 1932 painting <em>The First Thanksgiving.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p>They&#8217;ll need to use context clues to work out whether the painting is reliable or not. (Spoiler alert: it&#8217;s not!)<\/p>\n<p>Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/sheg.stanford.edu\/history-assessments\/first-thanksgiving\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Stanford History Education Group<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>\n\t\t<strong>3. Thanksgiving History Video<\/strong>\n\t<\/h2>\n\t<iframe width=\"560\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hdbVz_N0GuY\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n\t<p>Teach your middle school students the origins of Thanksgiving with this engaging video clip from the History Channel.<\/p>\n<p>Students will learn about the Pilgrims&#8217; struggle to survive.<\/p>\n<p>They&#8217;ll also learn the key role Native Americans, such as the Wampanoag people, played in the Thanksgiving story.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=hdbVz_N0GuY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">M\u00e1rio Leal Rinaldi<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>\n\t\t<strong>\u00a04. A Different Perspective on Thanksgiving<\/strong>\n\t<\/h2>\n\t<iframe width=\"560\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OW0s8ToCyU8\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n\t<p>Not everybody sees Thanksgiving as an exciting time.<\/p>\n<p>Use this video in social studies to teach your students about the National Day of Mourning.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a yearly protest to inform people about the Native American view of Thanksgiving.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=OW0s8ToCyU8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Huff Post<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>\n\t\t<strong>5. Thanksgiving Writing Prompts<\/strong>\n\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/tCskl93JR1CjSKdhTEC4\" alt=\"tCskl93JR1CjSKdhTEC4\" itemprop=\"image\" title=\"tCskl93JR1CjSKdhTEC4\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\n\t<p>Build an attitude of gratitude in your language arts class with this fun writing activity.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a great way to work on core writing skills while winding down to the holidays.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/writeshop.com\/5-fun-thanksgiving-writing-prompts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Write Shop<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>\n\t\t<strong>6. Thanksgiving Reading: The Turkey-Less Truth\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/uJbXUyytTNGMginVMR4k\" alt=\"uJbXUyytTNGMginVMR4k\" itemprop=\"image\" title=\"uJbXUyytTNGMginVMR4k\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\n\t<p>What&#8217;s your favorite food at Thanksgiving?<\/p>\n<p>This fact-filled article and lesson plan idea\u00a0on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachingexpertise.com\/classroom-ideas\/thanksgiving-food-experiments\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">theme of Thanksgiving foods<\/a> comes in 5 difficulty levels. Get your students to discuss their own Thanksgiving celebrations. Then read the article and discuss how traditions have evolved.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teacherspayteachers.com\/Product\/Thanksgiving-History-Passage-Distance-Learning-Compatible-2161429\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Teachers Pay Teachers<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>\n\t\t<strong>7. Thanksgiving Crossword<\/strong>\n\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/iCwW4oY0TROPopVzuuan\" alt=\"iCwW4oY0TROPopVzuuan\" itemprop=\"image\" title=\"iCwW4oY0TROPopVzuuan\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\n\t<p>Here&#8217;s a fun fall activity for puzzle fans.<\/p>\n<p>This Thanksgiving crossword is perfect for a wide span of grade levels. Some of your students will know the answers, but you can provide computer access too (depending on the level of students).<\/p>\n<p>Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reallifeathome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Thanksgiving_Crossword_Puzzle-1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Real Life at Home<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>\n\t\t<strong>8. Reasons to be Thankful<\/strong>\n\t<\/h2>\n\t<iframe width=\"560\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yA5Qpt1JRE4\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n\t<p>Looking for an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachingexpertise.com\/classroom-ideas\/gratitude-activities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">activity on the theme of gratitude<\/a> that requires zero prep?<\/p>\n<p>Get students to make an enormous list of things they&#8217;re thankful for.<\/p>\n<p>This video from Kid President provides the perfect inspiration.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yA5Qpt1JRE4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Participant<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>\n\t\t<strong>9. Thanksgiving Mourning<\/strong>\n\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/cbuBg4SJRoWJYZ1s35b7\" alt=\"cbuBg4SJRoWJYZ1s35b7\" itemprop=\"image\" title=\"cbuBg4SJRoWJYZ1s35b7\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\n\t<p>Does everybody look forward to Thanksgiving?<\/p>\n<p>This social studies lesson plan explores Thanksgiving through the broader theme of colonial America and indigenous people.<\/p>\n<p>It contains articles with lesson ideas and is appropriate for a wide span of grade levels.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.learningforjustice.org\/classroom-resources\/lessons\/thanksgiving-mourning\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Learning for Justice<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>\n\t\t<strong>10. Thanksgiving Square Root and Perfect Squares<\/strong>\n\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/akVLVY57QneXInRvpxNa\" alt=\"akVLVY57QneXInRvpxNa\" itemprop=\"image\" title=\"akVLVY57QneXInRvpxNa\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\n\t<p>We all know how attention spans sink in the final week before the holidays. Give your students a break with this Thanksgiving square root coloring task.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a printable Thanksgiving activity, so just make sure you get enough copies of the relevant page and hand them out.<\/p>\n<p>And don&#8217;t forget to grab a box of coloring pencils!<\/p>\n<p>Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teacherspayteachers.com\/Product\/Thanksgiving-Math-Free-Square-Root-Perfect-Squares-Color-by-Number-Activity-2181385\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Teachers Pay Teachers<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>\n\t\t<strong>11. The Thanksgiving Feast Budget<\/strong>\n\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.teachingexpertise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Screenshot-2022-03-30-153003.png\" alt=\"Screenshot 2022-03-30 153003\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"578\" width=\"826\" title=\"Screenshot 2022-03-30 153003\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\n\t<p>How much does Thanksgiving dinner cost?<\/p>\n<p>Boost your students&#8217; math skills with this fantasy Thanksgiving dinner lesson. Students will construct their own menu and price up foods online.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s an effective activity with clear real-world application.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teacherspayteachers.com\/Product\/Thanksgiving-Feast-Budget-1568275?st=301511e7e7c28874639642c89fe70b9b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Teachers Pay Teachers<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>\n\t\t<strong>12. Thanksgiving Math Word Problems<\/strong>\n\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ecdn.teacherspayteachers.com\/thumbitem\/Thanksgiving-Word-Problems-1573049554\/original-164049-1.jpg\" alt=\"original-164049-1.jpg\" itemprop=\"image\" title=\"original-164049-1.jpg\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\n\t<p>These fun Thanksgiving word problems will build students&#8217; skills with decimals, fractions, probability, and distance.<\/p>\n<p>A nice relaxed one for the holiday wind-down.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teacherspayteachers.com\/Product\/Thanksgiving-Math-Word-Problems-164049\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Teachers Pay Teachers<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>\n\t\t<strong>13. Thanksgiving Turkey Bookmarks<\/strong>\n\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/mWEZWVvQ8uDXUzyZqbLg\" alt=\"mWEZWVvQ8uDXUzyZqbLg\" itemprop=\"image\" title=\"mWEZWVvQ8uDXUzyZqbLg\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\n\t<p>Here&#8217;s a fun project that only requires a few materials.<\/p>\n<p>These Thanksgiving turkey bookmarks are super adorable and actually pretty useful!<\/p>\n<p>Guaranteed to be a favorite in grades 5-8.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.printablesfairy.com\/turkey-corner-bookmark\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Printables Fairy<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>\n\t\t<strong>14. Thanksgiving Origami Turkey<\/strong>\n\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/7HWSQjrQJuHn81Egyu1Q\" alt=\"7HWSQjrQJuHn81Egyu1Q\" itemprop=\"image\" title=\"7HWSQjrQJuHn81Egyu1Q\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\n\t<p>For a more challenging craft project, cook up these origami turkeys with your middle school students.<\/p>\n<p>Minimal resources needed: just a single sheet of brown paper.<\/p>\n<p>Click the link for a fabulous step-by-step guide.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thesprucecrafts.com\/how-to-make-an-origami-turkey-4147194\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">The Spruce Crafts<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>\n\t\t<strong>15. Thanksgiving Jeopardy Game<\/strong>\n\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/E2FJgAVxRnSHq6L9S2pA\" alt=\"E2FJgAVxRnSHq6L9S2pA\" itemprop=\"image\" title=\"E2FJgAVxRnSHq6L9S2pA\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  \/>\n\t<p>Need a fun activity that requires zero lesson planning?<\/p>\n<p>This groovy quiz game is one of my favorite holiday activities.<\/p>\n<p>Just organize your students into teams and load up the list of questions.<\/p>\n<p>Simple!<\/p>\n<p>Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/jeopardylabs.com\/play\/middle-school-thanksgiving-bingo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Jeopardy Labs<\/a><\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ah, it&#8217;s autumn&#8230; the holiday season is getting close, and the chance for some well-earned rest. Until you realize there&#8217;s another week of school to go! Planning fun classroom activities is a challenge when you&#8217;re exhausted, so we&#8217;re going to make things simple for you middle school teachers. From fun to factual, these Thanksgiving activity &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":22530,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ub_ctt_via":"","_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[91,76],"tags":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.teachingexpertise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/thanksgiving-activities-for-middle-school-600x400.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Bryn Shortland","author_link":"https:\/\/www.teachingexpertise.com\/author\/bryn-shortland\/"},"featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/www.teachingexpertise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/thanksgiving-activities-for-middle-school-600x600.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teachingexpertise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22517"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teachingexpertise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teachingexpertise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachingexpertise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachingexpertise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22517"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachingexpertise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22517\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachingexpertise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22530"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teachingexpertise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22517"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachingexpertise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22517"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachingexpertise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22517"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}