For the sake of the traditional holiday, the links on this page are mainly aligned with the traditional story of Thanksgiving as it has been told since the 19th century. For more of the real historical view on the History of Thanksgiving Day see Thanksgiving B1.
Related Theme Pages: Thanksgiving 3-7, Thanksgiving B1., Colonisation of North America 8-9, and Native Americans, 7-9
Warm-up
Obama Jokes At His Final Thanksgiving Turkey Pardon – YouTube (9:14)https://youtu.be/zKN3uZ3XvQoPartial transcript: Of course, Thanksgiving is a family holiday as much as a national one. So for the past seven years, I’ve established another tradition
11 Turkeys Who Won’t Get Eaten This Thanksgiving – YouTube (1:10)https://youtu.be/G9Oqz8RfTQ0You can’t stop them. Funny film clips with turkeys and text on the screen
Songs
Turkey Blues – YouTube (3:47)https://youtu.be/Pzq0cUxhvccThe Turkey Blues is a comedic video which tells the frightening journey of a turkey trying to change his destiny.
The Turkey Song – YouTubehttps://youtu.be/Z5gnGVukmDgA turkey tries not to be gobbled up. Begs people to eat tofu! Happy Thanksgiving!
MS. GOBBLER – I WILL SURVIVE – YouTubehttps://youtu.be/3EW4vgSP-mMThanksgiving Humor – A turkey’s hopeful song with a beat: I will survive!
Nicole Westbrook – It’s Thanksgiving (Official Video) – YouTube (3:37)https://youtu.be/ZSBq8geuJk0This new viral hit “It’s Thanksgiving” by Nicole Westbrook could be a fun song to play and sing with English Language Learners. (@larryferlazzo)
Vocabulary
Thanksgiving Foods Vocabulary for ESL students | Baamboozlehttps://www.baamboozle.com/game/246775The traditional foods of an American Thanksgiving meal for ESL students. Game on Bamboozle
Thanksgiving Symbols | Thanksgiving Symbols Pictures | Happy Thanksgiving Symbolic Meaninghttp://www.theholidayspot.com/thanksgiving/symbols.htmThanksgiving Day has its own set of symbols attached to it. When we talk of Thanksgiving, we think about Cornucopia, Pumpkin, Turkey, Corn, Cranberry, Beans, etc.
Thanksgiving Activitieshttp://seasonal.theteacherscorner.net/thanksgiving/Great activities and crafts for this day dedicated to being thankful for what you have, and exploring the history of the Pilgrims.
Turkey – Idioms by The Free Dictionaryhttp://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/turkeyThe word turkey in phrases and idioms by The Free Dictionary Common Sense Privacy Evaluation
Talk Like a Pilgrim | Plimoth Plantationhttps://www.plimoth.org/learn/just-kids/talk-pilgrimThe Pilgrims talked a little differently than we do today. If you visit the Museum’s 17th-Century English Village, you will notice that the townspeople say words you know in a funny way
Lesson Plans
The First Thanksgiving Student Activities for Grades PreK-12 | Scholastic.comhttp://www.scholastic.com/scholastic_thanksgiving/Introduce your class to the first harvest celebration, delve deeper into the relationships between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoags (yr 7-8)Read some letters
ESL Holiday Lessons: English Lesson on Thanksgivinghttp://www.eslholidaylessons.com/11/thanksgiving.htmlESL Holiday Lessons: Free 14-Page lesson plan/worksheet on Thanksgiving – Handouts, online activity, and mp3. (yr 7-8)
Why Do We Eat Turkey on Thanksgiving? | Wonderopolishttps://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-do-we-eat-turkey-on-thanksgivingHow did a particular feathered friend earn a place of honor at America’s most historic meal? Find out today in Wonderopolis!
What Is a Cornucopia? | Wonderopolishttps://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-a-cornucopiaGet ready for a history lesson in harvest as we toot the horn of plenty in Wonderopolis today!
Pilgrim Colony at Plymouth – Mind42https://mind42.com/mindmap/1c485cd2-8989-4833-af8c-cf1aaf34f39f?rel=pmbA mindmap with links to various sources to learn about the Pilgrim Colony in Plymouth, MA
Listening
Grateful Girl – A Thanksgiving Listening Activity – ESL Library Blog (1:17)http://blog.esllibrary.com/2017/11/20/thanksgiving-listening/American Thanksgiving is on the 4th Thursday in November! An ESL Library’s Thanksgiving-themed (US) Word Bank lesson (yr 6-7)
Thanksgiving Day — DailyESL.com (1:17)https://www.dailyesl.com/holidays/thanksgiving/English Learners – Improve your English listening skills on Thanksgiving Day, with Randall Davis, at dailyesl.com. (yr 7-8)
Thanksgiving, a Traditional American Holiday (10:09)http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/american-celebrate-thanksgiving/2529775.htmlTwo ladies discuss Thanksgiving traditions while cooking dinner. Underneath is a listening link (5:23) (yr 7-8)Come Celebrate Thanksgiving!
Interactive
Thanksgiving Listening Cloze worksheethttps://www.liveworksheets.com/worksheets/en/English_as_a_Second_Language_(ESL)/Listening_comprehension/Thanksgiving_Listening__Cloze_qf1239984znListening comprehension online worksheet for adult. You can do the exercises online or download the worksheet as pdf.
Reading
Thanksgiving Cards | Thanksgiving Activities for the Classroomhttp://www.storyboardthat.com/teacher-guide/thanksgiving-activitiesThese fun Thanksgiving activities will delight students AND help them learn the narrative of Thanksgiving with cards, menus, decorations, & more!
Comprehension: The History of Thanksgiving! | Learn Englishhttps://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/comprehension-the-history-thanksgivingEnglish Language Reading Comprehension: The History of Thanksgiving!
Deconstructing History: Mayflower | History – YouTube (2:41)https://youtu.be/w59TkoL-tZYHow many people were on the Mayflower? And how long did it take for them to get to Plymouth? Get the facts.
Thanksgiving Poems, Wishes, Sayings: Celebrate Blessingshttp://www.poemsource.com/thanksgiving-poems.htmlThanksgiving poems that rhyme for cards, programs. Funny Thanksgiving verse for kids. High quality, Thanksgiving poetry about gratitude, blessings, appreciation.
Thanksgiving for ESL Students: History and Quizhttps://www.thoughtco.com/thanksgiving-for-esl-students-history-and-quiz-4427790English learners can learn the history of Thanksgiving, and test their knowledge with a short quiz. Key vocabulary is defined throughout.
First Thanksgivinghttps://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/history/first-thanksgiving/Native Americans and early settlers gave thanks together with this historic feast.
Jokes
Grandma’s Briefs — Home — 20 Thanksgiving jokes to share with kidshttps://www.grandmasbriefs.com/home/20-thanksgiving-jokes-to-share-with-kids.htmlKids—and some grown-ups, too—love corny jokes. Here are 20 to share during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Viewing
Thanksgiving | Invitation | Natural Conversation – YouTubehttps://youtu.be/7mM-TBGcjKoLearn useful English to talk about and explain American Thanksgiving. A great video to teach vocabulary and expressions about culture
Thanksgiving | American Culture | Thanksgiving Preparations – YouTubehttps://youtu.be/5NWWjIpY9wEAn incredibly powerful teaching and learning tool! Perfect for learning or teaching useful expressions and vocabulary
Explainer: Thanksgiving – YouTube (1:13)https://youtu.be/irP68wjI_7oOn Thursday, November 23, Americans celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. It is a day for all people, religions, and cultures in the country to give thanks. (yr 7)
Thanksgiving: The history of the first Thanksgiving – YouTube (5:59)https://youtu.be/9EZNCuQkWNUThe history of the first Thanksgiving: you will learn about the history of our very first “Thanksgiving” and how the holiday became official. (yr 7-8)
The Pilgrims and the Mayflower Compact – YouTube (5:58)https://youtu.be/P9kGbz-BfLIIn 1620, the Pilgrims left England in search of religious freedom and a new life for their community. (yr 7-8)
Thanksgiving History EFL – YouTube (3:18)https://youtu.be/xL9HrFIedtgHistory of Thanksgiving with English subtitles. Edited to make it easier for ESL classes.
The American Thanksgiving Story (English subtitles) – YouTube (6:31)https://youtu.be/-BQSOkkoDjcThe history of the Pilgrims going to America and present-day Thanksgiving celebrations.
The Story of the Pilgrims: A brief history of Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving – YouTube (6:53)https://youtu.be/OBjqrKyfRnAThe story of the Pilgrims will give you a brief history of the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving. It all happened about 400 years ago.
The Real Story of Thanksgiving – YouTube (11:42)https://youtu.be/O6krH93pU5YDiscover the true story behind an event that started an enduring national holiday. (yr 8-9)
Virtual Field Trip | Plimoth Plantation (18:39 + 17:24)https://www.plimoth.org/learn/just-kids/thanksgiving-virtual-field-trip17th-Century English Village and Wampanoag Homesite Virtual Field Trip from Plimoth Plantation on Vimeo.
The First Thanksgiving: Videos, and Slideshowhttp://www.scholastic.com/scholastic_thanksgiving/webcast.htmVideos from Plimoth Plantation about the life of the Pilgrims and the Indians.
Who Were Samoset, Massasoit, and Squanto? – YouTube (5:26)https://youtu.be/neDjRJV-lwgSamoset, Massasoit, and Squanto, were three indigenous men who played a key role when the Mayflower first landed in Massachusetts.
What was actually in the first Thanksgiving dinner? | Life and style | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/video/2014/nov/20/first-thanksgiving-dinner-realTurkey, mash potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing and pumpkin pie? More like five deer and some birds.
Canadian Thanksgiving: a SKETCH by UCB’s Muddleberry – YouTube (2:03)https://youtu.be/uPFrFZ2ym6wA look at the many, many differences between Canadian and American Thanksgiving.
Top 10 Friends Thanksgiving Episodes – YouTube (9:40)https://youtu.be/R0r7kzCUDcEThanksgiving is here and it’s time to countdown the Top 10 Friends Thanksgiving episodes!
History of the Holidays: History of Thanksgiving | History – YouTube (3:24)https://youtu.be/lslqtUMwDxAAlthough Thanksgiving celebrations dated back to the first European settlements in America, it was not until the 1860s that Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November Thanksgiving Day. (yr 8-9)
Bet You Didn’t Know: Thanksgiving | History – YouTube (2:48)https://youtu.be/H9NDuxL4WA4Find out which traditional recipes weren’t served at the first Thanksgiving celebration. (yr 8-9)
What was life like for the Pilgrims in Plymouth Colony? – World Book Explains – YouTube (3:22)https://youtu.be/QYJdp1U4zZQ“What was life like for the Pilgrims in Plymouth Colony? (yr 8-9)
Chapter 1 | The Pilgrims | American Experience | PBS – YouTube (6:32)https://youtu.be/DG5NA6wh8AIFind out exactly who the Pilgrims were, and why they changed their lives on such a very dangerous voyage. (yr 8-9)
Thanksgiving: Myth vs. Fact – Anglophenia Ep 43 – YouTube (6:37)https://youtu.be/XBmBX7hWFbwThanksgiving is a beloved holiday for Americans, but how much do you really know about its origins? (yr 8-9)
The First Thanksgiving: What Really Happened – YouTube (6:09) YEShttps://youtu.be/ociHVDWxDaYAn educational animation that tells the in-depth story surrounding the first “thanksgiving”. (yr 8-9)
Why These Native Americans Observe A National Day Of Mourning Each Thanksgiving – YouTube (4:44)https://youtu.be/OW0s8ToCyU8In America’s indigenous communities, the Thanksgiving holiday is a reminder of loss. – A Day of Mourning
Speaking
ESL Thanksgiving Activities: The Top 20 to Try Out in your Classeshttps://eslspeaking.org/esl-thanksgiving-activities/Check out these top 20 ESL Thanksgiving activities and games to try out with your students today. Have some fun with Thanksgiving!
Worksheets
Thanksgiving – All Things Topicshttps://www.allthingstopics.com/thanksgiving.htmlall things topics, vocabulary, reading and listening
Thanksgiving Worksheets and Teaching Resourceshttps://bogglesworldesl.com/thanksgiving_worksheets.htmThis word search reviews foods commonly eaten at Thanksgiving dinner> Video 1: Thanksgiving Traditions Vocabulary Video A video that highlights Thanksgiving traditions in simple sentences.
Focus on Form
Every-Day Edit: Thanksgiving | Education Worldhttp://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/edit/edit-thanksgiving.shtmlPrint out for the students or show on whiteboard to be copied and corrected. Two texts with 10 errors to correct, 1:1 (yr 8-9): Check Text Thanksgiving Check Text Pilgrim Fathers
Thanksgivinghttp://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/reading_thanksgiving.phpThanksgiving is celebrated in the USA and Canada. In The USA, it is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November every year. The Canadians celebrate it on the second Monday in October. (yr 7-8)
Final Words
[Source: Today I Found Out]
CC
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