{"id":5789,"date":"2025-11-02T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-02T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itslitteaching.com\/?p=5789"},"modified":"2025-10-08T12:36:29","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T16:36:29","slug":"high-school-english-thanksgiving-activities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itslitteaching.com\/high-school-english-thanksgiving-activities\/","title":{"rendered":"Try These High School English Thanksgiving Activities This Year!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As Thanksgiving approaches, many teachers start looking for ways to bring the holiday spirit into their classrooms. But let’s be honest—by this time of year, high school students are tired, ready for Thanksgiving break, and maybe even a little restless. That’s why it’s important to have high school English Thanksgiving activities that are both engaging and meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Ok, ok. Maybe you’re ready for a little fun, too!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Thanksgiving season is the perfect time to balance review, writing practice, and fun activities that keep students motivated without adding to your workload. <\/strong>In this blog post, you’ll find a mix of ideas that work well at high school levels (but many can also be adapted for middle school students or even elementary students).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Need more seasonal ideas? I have October teaching ideas right here<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Blog post Pinterest pin that reads, \"Try These High School English Thanksgiving Activities This Year!\" over the image of light coming through autumn leaves<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A Note About Ambiance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Look, I’m a basic white girl. We’re all about vibes here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you dish out your fun Thanksgiving activities, don’t forget to set the mood! <\/strong>It is so important when we’re trying to bring seasonality into the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are plenty of cozy, autumn setting videos on YouTube. Find one you like and project it while students work on gratitude letters or grammar worksheets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have the time, money, and inclination, consider picking up some faux leaves from the dollar store and decorating the borders of your bulletin boards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We don’t need to go crazy here, but changing the environment will boost engagement and your students’ attitudes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ok, back to the lessons!<\/p>\n\n\n

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High School English Thanksgiving Activities #1: Write a Gratitude Letter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one is a classic, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One meaningful Thanksgiving writing activity is asking students to express gratitude by writing a letter to a member of the school staff.<\/strong> This is a great way for secondary ELA students to practice audience awareness, tone, and clear writing while doing something kind.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Turn your gratitude letter activity into a full-blown ELA lesson with this Letter Writing Lesson<\/a>! Students will learn the parts of a letter, examine tone for different kinds of letters, and even learn how to address an envelope!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A favorite teacher is always a winner, but you could encourage students to choose someone who doesn’t always get recognized—like a custodian, lunch staff member, or bus driver. Have them handwrite the letters on construction paper or type them up with graphic organizers for planning. This small act can make someone’s day and helps promote mental health for both writer and recipient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students can hand-deliver their letters or leave them with you for distribution. (I promise, your colleagues are going to love you for doing this!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a student is giving you pushback, they don’t have<\/em>​ to choose a staff member. You could let them choose anyone–a parent, a friend, a member of their church–who has helped them in some way during the past year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only is this activity the perfect opportunity for some seasonal gratitude, but it offers the chance to cover tons of ELA topics: formatting a letter, tone, writing for a real audience, grammar, and more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want a no-prep lesson for teaching the art of writing a letter (and addressing an envelope!), check out my done-for-you lesson: How to Write a Letter and Address an Envelope Lesson<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It includes a presentation, worksheets, examples, and more–allowing you to turn a quick gratitude letter into a full-blown English lesson.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Blog post Pinterest pin that reads, \"Try These High School English Thanksgiving Activities This Year!\" around the image of light coming through autumn leaves<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

High School English Thanksgiving Activities #2: Thanksgiving-Themed Grammar Worksheets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you want something low-prep that still reinforces skills, try Thanksgiving-themed grammar worksheets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While you could probably find some free worksheets online for nearly any topic, you’ve probably discovered that the quality of these worksheets is hit or miss. <\/p>\n\n\n

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This pack of Fall-themed Grammar Reviews<\/a> includes six different worksheets. Each covers a different grammatical topic and a different fall theme!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I recommend my Fall Themed Grammar Review Worksheets<\/a> to keep in your filing cabinet.<\/strong> While three of these worksheets are Halloween-related, this pack also includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n