The Tur-key to My Heart
Are you looking for an engaging Thanksgiving Writing Prompt that will engage your students while you teach valuable writing skills? If so, I have you covered.
For many of us, Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks, enjoy a feast with family and friends, and watch some football. But for teachers, it’s also a time to squeeze in some extra writing practice! This year, try out this fun turkey-themed writing prompt with your students.
Not only will they get some extra writing practice, but they’ll also have a cute turkey craft to show for it! The best part is that this prompt can be easily adapted for any grade level. So whether you’re teaching first or fifth-graders, this prompt will surely be a hit!
The Thanksgiving Writing Prompt Craft
What you’ll need:
- Construction paper in brown, red, orange, and yellow
- Scissors
- Glue
- Thin yarn
- Pencil
Instructions:
- Begin by cutting out a turkey from brown construction paper or cardstock, the heart from red, and the key from grey.
- Attach a string by stapling it to the back of the heart and key. (The kiddos love the dangling key.)
- Glue to an 8.5 X11 construction paper of any color.
And there you have it! This a cute, easy, and Thanksgiving-themed writing prompt that’s perfect for any grade level!
Thanksgiving Writing Prompt Activity
The Activity is a guided and scaffolded writing instruction to support all learners. The writing supports included will enable your writers of all levels to succeed through partner activities, direct instruction of the writing genre, graphic organizers, sentence frames, and writing checklists/rubrics.
Why each support is important in supporting the young writer:
Pair Share
This is an important pre-writing activity that will set the stage for success. It allows students to hear various ideas, get excited about writing, and start to generate their ideas.
Direct Instruction of the Writing Genre
This is important because it sets the purpose for writing and provides a model of what is expected. Clear expectations are essential for the success of any writing assignment.
Graphic Organizer
This is a tool that provides support and organization for the writer. It allows them to visually see what is expected in the writing piece and where their ideas should go.
Graphic organizers are also a helpful tool when working on this prompt. You could provide a basic turkey shape and have students fill in the feathers with things they are thankful for. Or, you could provide a list of Thanksgiving-themed words and have students choose which ones they would like to use in their writing.
The graphic organizer I use with my students is specific to the informational genre structure. It includes boxes for the introduction, three fact boxes, and a conclusion. This Thanksgiving-themed graphic organizer can be used with any informational writing prompt.
Sentence Frames
These are supports that provide the structure for each sentence. They ensure that each sentence is complete and make it easier for the student to write.
Sentence frames are an important support because they provide scaffolding. They help young writers by providing a structure for their ideas. This support allows the writer to focus on content and organization rather than worry about grammar and punctuation.
Sentence frames are one way to provide differentiated instruction. Differentiated instruction is key when working with any writing prompt. Be sure to support those who need it and challenge those who are ready for it. For example, you could provide sentence starters for those who need extra help getting started. Or, you could challenge your more advanced writers to include multiple turkey-themed words in their writing.
I also have a FREE Weekly Paragraph Writing Prompt and Handbook for you here to support your students with a structured and guided writing routine. (Yup, it’s free to all who sign up for my email list to get updates on everything writing-related.)
Writing Checklist/Rubrics
This tool will help the student to self-assess their writing and provide guidance on revising and editing their work. It also allows the teacher to quickly assess where each student is at in the writing process.
Why Guided and Scaffolded Instruction is Important
Guided and scaffolded instruction is important because it provides students with the support they need to be successful. By breaking down the prompt into smaller pieces, you are providing your students with a roadmap for success. This Thanksgiving Writing Prompt is perfect for Thanksgiving Centers, Thanksgiving Classroom Decorations, Thanksgiving Lesson Plans, Thanksgiving Writing Activities, Thanksgiving Thematic Units, or any other Thanksgiving-themed activity!
How to Use This Thanksgiving Writing Prompt
- Teacher Instructions:
- Introduce the Thanksgiving writing prompt by showing the Thanksgiving Writing Prompt Craft.
- Read the Thanksgiving Writing Prompt aloud and discuss it as a class. You may need to teach students about the phrase “the key to my heart.”
- Have students get into pairs and share their Thanksgiving plans.
- After students have had a chance to share, provide them with the graphic organizer and sentence frames.
- Allow time for students to write their Thanksgiving stories.
- When students are finished, have them self-assess using the checklist/rubrics.
- Finally, have students share their stories with the class! Please read this blog post for creative ways to have students share their writing with the class.
Not only will this prompt get your students thinking and writing about Thanksgiving, but it will also give them a chance to practice working with a partner. So it’s a win-win!
Done-for-You Thanksgiving Writing Prompt
To use this Thanksgiving Writing Prompt, print and go! This Thanksgiving Writing Prompt Craftivity is a great way to add some Thanksgiving fun to your writing instruction!
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get started with this prompt, consider purchasing the already done-for-you materials. My TPT shop, The Teaching Q, has this easy and fun Turkey Writing Prompt and much more ready to go for you!
This resource includes everything you need to get started, including the cute Tur-key Craft, sentence starters, a graphic organizer, and differentiated writing activities.
When it comes to Thanksgiving, many of us have our traditions and ways of celebrating. For some, it’s all about the food. Others may focus on spending time with family or friends. And still, others may use the holiday as a chance to reflect on all they’re thankful for.
No matter how you choose to spend Thanksgiving, one thing is for sure- it’s a special time of year. And what better way to celebrate than by writing about it?
Are your students struggling and making very little progress in writing? Or maybe they’re unmotivated or a reluctant writer? If so, I’ve got your back.
Yes…I…Do!
Let me share my secret sauce when it comes to teaching writing to elementary students.
It’s the Sentences, Paragraphs, and Essays: OH, MY! E-book.
Click this link to learn more about how the E-Book can transform your students’ chicken scratch, hap-hazard writing into strong, effective, glorious writing!
Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!
–Melissa
