Should We Celebrate Thanksgiving Differently? Inspire Students to Think Beyond Traditions

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When I read Raising Critical Thinkers by Julie Bogart, I discovered a concept I had already used in my classes many times. You’ve probably used it too, even if you never formalized it or analyzed it in depth. This simple strategy has the power to transform how we think and teach. It invites us to explore a topic from completely different perspectives, challenging us to step out of our mental comfort zone.
As I read, I couldn’t stop thinking about my students and how we could apply this approach in class. Then, I remembered something we had already done with my students. I recalled that activity we once did called "Imagine That…" for Thanksgiving. This simple exercise led us to explore ideas we would never have imagined.
We asked questions like:
What would a turkey say on Thanksgiving?
What if we celebrated "Kindgiving" or "Lovegiving" instead?
What if Thanksgiving happened every day?
What would a soldier do on this day during a war?
What if Thanksgiving wasn’t about food but about hugging your favorite person?
Can we invent a universal word that means “thank you”?
At first, the ideas seemed far-fetched, almost off-topic. But when we refocused, something magical happened: the kids stopped seeing Thanksgiving as just a day of food and parties and started reflecting on what it really means to be thankful.
It’s amazing how imagination can open the door to new ways of thinking. These activities not only sparked creativity but also helped my students develop empathy and appreciate things from different perspectives.
Inspired by this exercise and Julie Bogart’s ideas, I want to share some activities with you that can turn your students into more reflective and creative thinkers:

Activities to Transform Thanksgiving in the Classroom

Rewriting History

What to do: Ask your students to reimagine the story of Thanksgiving from a different perspective—like that of the Indigenous people, the pilgrims, or even animals.
Why it works: This exercise fosters empathy and the ability to understand multiple viewpoints, an essential skill for critical thinking.

Create a "What If…?"

What to do: Pose hypothetical scenarios, such as, “What if the pilgrims and Indigenous people hadn’t worked together?” or “How would Thanksgiving be celebrated in another country?”
Why it works: These questions open up new possibilities and encourage flexible thinking.

The Symbolic Feast

What to do: Invite students to design a feast where each dish represents a value like gratitude, kindness, or unity.
Why it works: Connecting abstract values to tangible symbols builds imagination and creative reasoning.

The Thanksgiving Debate

What to do: Host a debate on topics like, “Is being thankful more important than eating?” or “Do we need a turkey to celebrate Thanksgiving?”
Why it works: Debates help students defend their ideas, think critically, and articulate strong arguments.

Stories of Gratitude

What to do: Encourage students to write stories where characters express gratitude in unique ways—like thanking nature, animals, or even a meaningful object.
Why it works: It strengthens imagination as a tool for expressing values and connects students with the deeper meaning of gratitude.
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be just another celebration. In the classroom, it can become an opportunity for students to think, reflect, and connect with the world in a more meaningful way.
I encourage you to try these ideas with your students. I’m sure the conversations and reflections that arise will be unforgettable. If you need additional resources to implement critical thinking and reflection activities, I have some ready to help you turn this holiday into a rich learning experience.

A Wish for You and Your Class

May this Thanksgiving be more than just a tradition. Let it be a time to imagine new possibilities, reflect on what truly matters, and give thanks for the connections we build each day—in the classroom and beyond.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, your students, and your family!

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