What are you planning to do for Thanksgiving?
I’m one of those teachers who, when something works, I keep it. I repeat it. And if I can, I tweak it a little to make it my own. Every year it’s the same: families start sending me messages about what they can prepare for the feast and bring to class. Food is always a reason to come together, but what I really enjoy are the crafts and activities that make my students think.
Gratitude is a topic with a lot to unpack. I’ve been wondering for years how I can make the most of it. Since I try to integrate SEL in everything I do, I feel Thanksgiving is a magical opportunity. I love seeing my students pause, look inward, and reflect.
I love watching them discover something about themselves. That’s why I created this PowerPoint to help you explain the topic in a meaningful way.
Kids love talking about others. But I always try to help them get to know themselves a little better. Sometimes it’s hard for them. That’s normal. Looking outward is easy. Looking inward… not so much.
Here are three activities I’ve done over the years, shared with you because they help kids see gratitude differently, not from what they have, but from who they are. From what they’ve grown and learned, even though they’ve been on this planet for only a short time.
Thanksgiving — The Invisible Chest
We sit in a circle. In the center, there’s a closed chest. I ask the kids to think of something invisible but important in their lives, something they are thankful for. One by one, they reach into the chest and “pull out” that invisible thing. They hold it with both hands and explain it.
Some examples my students have shared:
- My mom’s love
- Time with my dog.
- My imagination.
- What I’ve learned at school.
- The warmth of my bed in the morning.
- My mom’s scent makes me feel loved.
- Moments playing with my family.
- My little brother’s smile when he was born.
- The smell of the chocolate cookies my mom makes on Sundays
It’s wonderful to hear them. Try it and let me know! This is also a great moment to remind kids that gratitude is something we can feel every day. It’s one of those ingredients that make life happier from a young age.
And if you want to pair it with a craft, here’s a turkey where they can write their ideas on each feather. Thanksgiving Turkey Craft Writing Activity and Classroom Decoration for Kids
Secret Gratitude
This activity is about remembering happy moments, or when someone helped us, or gave us something we forgot to thank them for.
Students write a note or Post-it with a message of thanks to a classmate for something specific. We put the notes on the walls of the classroom. Then, we walk in a circle and read them all. At the end, each child gives their note to the person they chose.
What if someone doesn’t receive one? That’s okay. From the start, I explain that this activity is about giving, not receiving. If you get a “thank you,” great. If not, that’s fine too. The important thing is recognizing and appreciating.
If the group is sensitive, we can leave the notes on the wall without giving them directly.
Thank You, Future Me
In this activity, students write a letter to their future self. First, they imagine what they want to be when they grow up. Then, they give thanks. They don’t ask, they thank.
For example, a child dreaming of becoming an artist might write:
“Thank you for not giving up. Thank you for waking up early for classes. Thank you for trusting. Thank you for studying. Thank you for following your dream. Thank you for working on your voice.”
It’s a deep and powerful activity.
I have a resource: Thanksgiving Gratitude Letter Writing Activity Pack for Elementary Kids with a special Thanksgiving envelope to go with this activity. It integrates SEL and teaches students to write a letter with structure and feeling.
I hope these activities help you give Thanksgiving a more authentic meaning. You can enjoy a delicious meal with your students, but also help them see that gratitude isn’t just about what we can touch. It’s something we feel. Something that appears in small moments. Something that can be with us almost every day if we learn to notice it.
And before I finish, one more thought:
We often teach kids to be thankful, but forget to do it ourselves. Thanksgiving can also be a quiet reminder that your effort matters. Your days matter. Your work matters. And you deserve to give yourself thanks, too.
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