The school year always seems so rushed each year and by November we are ALL ready for some down time. Thanksgiving should not only be a time of giving and being grateful, but also a time just to slow down, relax a bit, and look for the blessings, including the classroom.
Giving thanks for our students and their hard work can look like:
1. TRYING SOME NEW SNACKS (WITH MATH INVOLVED)
Many students have never tried eating pumpkin, so this is great opportunity for them to try! (Of course, make sure that your students have no allergy issues first.) Buying a bag of salted and roasted pumpkin seeds is super simple and easy to give each student a few to try. Or add some math skills by making Pumpkin Pie in a Bag. Check out this free recipe that is a great way to get some real life math measuring skills in!
2. MAKE A CRAFT
This doesn’t have to be fancy! Show students how to trace their hand and let them color their own unique turkey. Or go outside and pick out some leaves to do some color rubbings. If you would like to incorporate some math and need some print and go resources, check out these cute 3-D turkeys!
3. PLAY A CALMING NATURE VIDEO WHILE WORKING
I absolutely LOVE playing nature “fly-over” videos with calm relaxing music in the background while we complete tasks! The video I have linked above comes from Tim Janis’ YouTube channel. It is so relaxing and helps my students focus!
I played these often while students were working on completing a worksheet, reading a book of their choosing or on those days where we needed it, COLORING! These November Multiplication Coloring Sheets are the perfect combination of practicing multiplication strategies and just relaxing and coloring. Bonus: They are differentiated!
4. WATCH A MOVIE AND EAT POPCORN
Some days we just need that (teachers and the students). We get so busy making sure the kids are educated, differentiated, accommodated, and all, that we forget that we ALL NEED SOME DOWN TIME! The day before a holiday break, a movie and popcorn was my go to! I used the time to connect with the kids a bit, straighten up the room, lay out some materials for after the break and if I could sneak it in, do a bit of lesson planning or grading.
5. PLAY CARD GAMES AND BOARD GAMES
I’m not going to lie, this can be a bit bananas, but OH the MEMORIES you will make!!! I usually would have some of my games be educational games that we were already playing in class anyway (because I wouldn’t have to review the rules), some card games (like Multiplication War – free directions or UNO) and some easy games like Candyland (it may seem babyish, but I guarantee they will still love it).
These are the moments your students will remember in your classroom. Slow down this Thanksgiving and allow the magic of memories to be created in your classroom.
What tip was your favorite? Comment below using the SPEECH BUBBLE.
28 Responses
I love all the tips, but if I have to pick a favorite I would choose the coloring sheets. The kids love to color and it's great that they include math!
I like the PLAY A CALMING NATURE VIDEO WHILE WORKING tip. I have actually used this and it works!! We watch the Eagle Cams and the kids love it. We have learned so much over the years of watching. We call it "Watch and Work". I go over the rules (we have to work more and watch occasionally, we can't talk while working & watching, if we are off task we are off feed, etc.) and the kids really do adhere to them becuase they want me to keep the feed up on the Smartboard. Great strategy!!!
I definitely try to incorporate crafts with instruction, especially around holidays when students are antsy!
Great tips but I love the games one the most because we loves games.
Great ideas. My students love coloring sheets!
My students love to play card & board games. I often use Task Cards with the boards from games we have in our classroom.
I completely agree that incorporating board games is a great tip – not only does it allow for making fabulous memories, today's children don't often get the chance to play board games, and it is an important opportunity to learn social skills like taking turns, being patient, etc. It's a WIN-WIN all around!
Some good ideas! I liked the calming video while working one,
all these ideas are great! I am loving the Pie in a bag math activity.
Snacks and math are always a good idea!
I love the idea of playing a fall video while students work. I also use fall timers I find on YouTube.
I like the Play a calming nature video. Thanks for all the great tips.
I love the projects and lessons for thanksgiving
Love the fall nature video idea! I always have background music on in my room!
Love the fall nature video idea! I always have background music on in the room so this would be perfect.
I wish I would have thought to save pumpkin seeds for class activities!
Love playing a nature video in the background to help ease and soothe my kid while working.
They were all great! However, I love the board games, card games, movies, and popcorn!!
My students love to play games! They would love a day just playing board games and relaxing!
I love the idea of playing nature videos while working! Happy Thanksgiving!
I love watching a movie and eating popcorn.
I love the idea od watching a movie and eating popcorn!
Thanks for the ideas. I love playing nature videos.
Card and board games are my favorite
I love doing crafts or popcorn and a movie
Honestly I enjoyed reading your Scissor Tips for kids! I am grateful for educators like you who share their talents with the world! Thank you!
testing
I love the idea of flyover nature videos while the kids are working. I've used music before, but I never thought to do that!
Love the recipe/make a pie recipe idea; definitely something that will offer my resource room students something new and fun when we are working on extra support …making fractions fun is a must! Thanks.