Engaging Thanksgiving Activities and Teaching Ideas for English Language Learners

Thanksgiving is a unique American holiday rich with cultural significance and a perfect opportunity for English Language Learners (ELLs) to practice their language skills while learning about an important aspect of American culture. Here are some creative and engaging Thanksgiving activities and teaching ideas specifically designed for ESL teachers to help their students improve their English proficiency.

1. Thanksgiving Vocabulary Building

Games like Thanksgiving Vocabulary BINGO and are not only for playing BINGO. Use the cards for:

• Word Wall: Create a Thanksgiving-themed word wall with relevant vocabulary such as "harvest," "grateful," "feast," "pilgrim," and "cornucopia." Use pictures and definitions to make the words accessible.

• Flashcards: Use flashcards for vocabulary practice. Have students match words to pictures, or play memory games to reinforce their learning.

You can grab a Free Thanksgiving Vocabulary Word Search in Our Free Resource Library

2. Writing Prompts and Exercises

• Gratitude Journals: Have students keep a gratitude journal for the week leading up to Thanksgiving. Each day, they can write a few sentences about what they are thankful for.

• Creative Writing: Encourage students to write their own Thanksgiving stories or poems. Prompt ideas could include writing from the perspective of a pilgrim, native American, a turkey, or describing their ideal Thanksgiving meal.

3. Speaking and Listening Activities

• Role-Playing: Set up role-playing scenarios where students can practice dialogues related to Thanksgiving. This could include conversations at a Thanksgiving dinner or discussing what they are thankful for.

• Class Discussions: Organize class discussions around Thanksgiving traditions. Ask open-ended questions to encourage students to share their thoughts and experiences.

4. Reading Comprehension Activities

• Thanksgiving Information Text: Select age and culturally-appropriate Thanksgiving readings and activities.

• Reading Comprehension Worksheets: Create or download worksheets with questions related to a Thanksgiving text. This helps students practice skimming, scanning, and detailed reading.

5.  Cooking and Recipes

• Recipe Reading: Bring in simple Thanksgiving recipes for students to read and discuss. This helps with vocabulary related to cooking and measurements.

6.    Arts and Crafts

• Thanksgiving Cards: Have students create Thanksgiving cards with messages of gratitude. This can be a fun way to practice writing and to discuss the significance of saying “thank you.”

• DIY Decorations: Engage students in making traditional Thanksgiving decorations such as turkeys, cornucopias, and pilgrim hats. This hands-on activity can also be a vocabulary lesson in disguise.

  7.    Cultural Explorations

• Comparative Culture Study: Have students research and present on how different cultures celebrate gratitude and harvest festivals around the world. This activity broadens their understanding and allows for comparative discussions.

• Guest Speakers: If possible, invite guest speakers to talk about their Thanksgiving traditions. This provides students with listening practice and cultural insights.

Do you have some beloved Thanksgiving activites? Drop me an email at skybyrdteacher@skybyrdteacher.com.  I’ll feature your great ideas in a future post!