There's something so special about reading stories that celebrate gratitude, family, and tradition during this time of year.
In the classroom, my stack of Thanksgiving books has remained *nearly* the same for 10 years. They are classics! The books I'll share today are hits every year, no matter the group.
In this post, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Thanksgiving mentor texts. These books are perfect for the upper elementary classroom and come with opportunities to reinforce reading and writing skills. Plus, I’ll share some tips for using them with specific ELA standards to help guide your lessons.
Thank You, Sarah By: Laurie Halse Anderson
Literary Skills: Historical Context, Summarizing
Themes to explore: Perseverance, Thanksgiving History
This engaging picture book tells the true story of Sarah Josepha Hale, a woman who campaigned for Thanksgiving to become a national holiday. Students can learn about her determination and the historical context surrounding her efforts. Use this text to guide discussions on summarizing key events and exploring the impact of one person’s perseverance on history.
Check out my FULL DAY of lesson plans to accompany Thank You, Sarah. This includes activities for reading writing, math, science, AND social studies. Fill the whole day with fun learning!
You can also try out my FREE writing lesson for Thank You, Sarah here!
Molly's Pilgrim By: Barbara Cohen
Themes to explore: Acceptance, Cultural Diversity
In this story, a young Jewish girl named Molly learns about the Thanksgiving Pilgrims in school. As Molly learns about her identity and cultural differences, the book highlights themes of acceptance and understanding. This text is excellent for discussing character development and how diverse backgrounds contribute to Thanksgiving traditions.
Check out my FULL DAY of lesson plans to accompany Molly's Pilgrim.
This is the perfect set of plans to keep your class learning and having fun!
You can also try out my FREE STEM challenge for Molly's Pilgrim here!
A Turkey for Thanksgiving By: Eve Bunting
Themes to Explore: Friendship, Celebration
Balloons Over Broadway By: Melissa Sweet
Themes to Explore: Creativity, Celebration
Turkey Trouble By: Wendi Silvano
Literary Elements: Plot Development, Humor
Themes to Explore: Cleverness, Holiday Traditions
In this tale, a clever turkey devises plans to escape being the main course at Thanksgiving dinner. As students read, they can discuss plot development and how humor enhances storytelling. This book encourages critical thinking about holiday traditions and the creative ways characters navigate challenges.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving By: Charles M. Shulz
Literary Elements: Dialogue, Character Development
Themes to Explore: Friendship, Traditions
This classic story features Charlie Brown as he attempts to host a Thanksgiving meal for his friends. Through engaging dialogue and character interactions, students can explore themes of friendship and the importance of traditions. This text provides opportunity to analyze character relationships and narrative elements.
No Turkey for Thanksgiving (Previously published as 'Duck for Turkey Day') By: Jacqueline Jules
Themes to Explore: Family, Cultural Differences
There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey By: Lucille Colandro
How to Catch a Turkey By: Adam Wallace
Themes to Explore: Ingenuity, Problem-Solving
In this story, clever kids devise plans to catch a turkey. The narrative invites students to think creatively, problem-solve, and work as a team. Your class can discuss narrative structure and even come up with their own creative plans!
The Secrets of Plymouth Rock By: Marcia Sewell
Literary Elements: Informational Text, Main Idea
Themes to Explore: History, Myth vs. Reality
This informative text explores the myths and realities surrounding Plymouth Rock and the first Thanksgiving. It encourages critical thinking about what students read and helps them identify main ideas and supporting details. This book is perfect for sparking discussions on history and how stories shape our understanding of traditions.
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