Week of November 18, 2019 - TK
Picture Book Month, Thanksgiving Gratitude, and Food Fun
At Thanksgiving time, children express their gratitude for the people and things in their lives.
The Beastly Feast, by Bruce Goldstone
All sorts of animals bring a variety of foods to share: bears bring pears, parrots bring carrots, mosquitoes bring burritos, mice bring rice, and so on!
Activity Trace "turkey hand" on the reverse of the Thanksgiving coloring sheet
Week of November 18, 2019 - Kindergarten
Picture Book Month, Mealtime Manners, and Food Fun
Politeness and manners are always in good taste.
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
A clever mouse uses the threat of a terrifying creature to keep from being eaten by a fox, an owl, and a snake-- only to have to outwit that creature as well.
Activity Trace "turkey hand" on the reverse of the Gruffalo Crumble recipe and coloring sheet
Week of November 18, 2019 - First Grade
Picture Book Month, Change Over Time, and Step-by-Step Writing
Shows how food, technology, and families have changed throughout American history. Four families, in four cities, over four centuries, make the same dessert: Blackberry Fool. 1710 in Lyme, England. 1810 in Charleston, SC. 1910 in Boston, MA. Present day in San Diego, CA.
Activity Blackberry Fool recipe and coloring sheet
Video Author/illustrator interview and recipe
Time for Cranberries, by Lisl H. Detlefsen
A little boy helps his parents harvest cranberries on their family farm step by step: from flooding the field to preparing the vines for the picking machine to delivering the fruit to the receiving station.
Activity Cranberry Pie recipe and coloring sheet
Week of November 18, 2019 - Second Grade
Picture Book Month, Harvest Fun, and Gratitude
A lonely, oddly-shaped pumpkin is sad that no one chose him for Halloween, but he soon discovers where he belongs.
The Thankful Book, by Todd Parr
A celebration of the many things for which young children can be grateful, from everyday activities like reading and bath time to big family meals and special shared moments with parents.
Activity Draw or write a gratitude or two on the reverse of the Thanksgiving coloring sheet
Week of November 18, 2019 - Third Grade
Picture Book Month, Food & Friendship, Thanksgiving Traditions
In an imagining of how it may have happened, a cave boy and a Paleowolf join forces to help one another survive danger in Paleolithic times, and the Paleowolf becomes the first pet dog.
Father of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Revealed by Stephen Brower A brief biography of Tony Sarg
Balloons over Broadway, by Melissa Sweet
The story of puppeteer Tony Sarg, the man who first invented the helium balloons that have become the trademark of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
After World War I, Sarg moved to New York City and quickly gained a reputation as a practical joker, the life of the party and a tireless worker. In his various ventures, the designer, inventor and illustrator worked on cartoons, children’s books, mechanical toys, advertising, and window displays and balloons.
Thanksgiving Day Parade History and Balloons of Today social.macys.com/parade
Activity Thanksgiving coloring sheet
Week of November 18, 2019 - Fourth Grade
Picture Book Month, Thanksgiving History
Provides information about the origins and meaning of Thanksgiving in America, and describes many of the symbols and traditions associated with the holiday, including feasts and parades.
Website The National Women's History Museum provides a brief biography of Sarah J. Hale (b. New Hampshire 1788-d. Pennsylvania 1879)
Thank You, Sarah, by Laurie Halse Anderson
Relates how Sarah Hale, a magazine editor and author, persuaded President Lincoln to transform Thanksgiving Day into a national holiday.
Video Mary Had a Little Lamb
Mary Had a Little Lamp, by Jack Lechner
Mary has a little lamp that she takes everywhere. One day Mary heads off to summer camp without her bendy-necked lamp and discovers that life without a lamp isn't so bad.
Activity Thanksgiving coloring sheet
Week of November 18, 2019 - Fifth Grade
Picture Book Month, Adventures in Digestion, Novel Study
Little sister has no problem eating one hare, two snakes, and three ants, but when she gets to ten peas, she throws up quite a mess.
Little Pea, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
On the flip side, Little Pea refuses to eat his candy!
Sometimes You Barf, by Nancy Carlson
Everything you ever wanted to know about throwing up, and why you shouldn't be embarrassed.
Video Schooled book trailer
Schooled, by Gordon Korman
Although he knows a lot about Zen Buddhism, nothing has prepared home schooled Capricorn Anderson for an A-list bully, a popular girl, and middle school politics. The shifting points of view capture a pitch-perfect "fish out of water" story.
Activity Journal responses to writing prompts about Schooled will be written in cursive. Why Writing by Hand Could Make You Smarter, by William R. Klemm, Ph.D., Psychology Today, posted March 14, 2013