Looking for content from previous weeks? Scroll further down
Week of November 18, 2024 | TK | Gratitude & Food Fun
 |  | |
Thanks for Thanksgiving, by Julie Markes
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!
Crafty Connection Trace "turkey hand" on reverse of Happy Thanksgiving coloring sheet
Whole-School Book Fair Decoration Project Students design and cut a paper snowflake
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!
Crafty Connection Trace "turkey hand" on reverse of Happy Thanksgiving coloring sheet
Whole-School Book Fair Decoration Project Students design and cut a paper snowflake
Week of November 18, 2024 | Kindergarten | Manners & Dining Fun
 |  | |
Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf by Judy Sierra
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.
Crafty Connection Trace "turkey hand" on reverse of Gruffalo Crumble recipe and coloring sheet
Whole-School Book Fair Decoration Project Students design and cut a paper snowflake
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.
Crafty Connection Trace "turkey hand" on reverse of Gruffalo Crumble recipe and coloring sheet
Whole-School Book Fair Decoration Project Students design and cut a paper snowflake
Week of November 18, 2024 | First Grade | Favorite Holiday Foods
and Narrative Step-by-Step Writing
 |   |  |
Video Cranberry: How Does It Grow?
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.
Recipe Cranberry Pie recipe and coloring sheet
A Fine Dessert, by Emily Jenkins
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.
Video Instant whipped cream kitchen tool
Video Author/illustrator interview and recipe
Recipe Blackberry Fool recipe and coloring sheet
Whole-School Book Fair Decoration Project Students design and cut a paper snowflake
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.
Recipe Cranberry Pie recipe and coloring sheet
A Fine Dessert, by Emily Jenkins
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.
Video Instant whipped cream kitchen tool
Video Author/illustrator interview and recipe
Recipe Blackberry Fool recipe and coloring sheet
Whole-School Book Fair Decoration Project Students design and cut a paper snowflake
Week of November 18, 2024 | Second Grade | Harvest Fun/Gratitude
 |  | |
The Ugly Pumpkin, by Dave Horowitz
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.
Crafty Connection Draw or write a gratitude or two on the Happy Thanksgiving coloring sheet
Whole-School Book Fair Decoration Project Students design and cut a paper snowflake
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.
Crafty Connection Draw or write a gratitude or two on the Happy Thanksgiving coloring sheet
Whole-School Book Fair Decoration Project Students design and cut a paper snowflake
Week of November 18, 2024 | Third Grade | Thanksgiving Traditions
 |  |  |
 Tony Sarg (1880-1942) |  Felix the Cat (1927) |  Superman (1945) |
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
Crafty Connection Thanksgiving coloring sheet
Whole-School Book Fair Decoration Project Students design and cut a paper snowflake
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
Crafty Connection Thanksgiving coloring sheet
Whole-School Book Fair Decoration Project Students design and cut a paper snowflake
Week of November 18, 2024 | Fourth Grade
Thanksgiving and Indigenous Traditions
 |  | |
 | |  |
Thanksgiving Is... by Gail Gibbons
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.
Crafty Connection Ojos de Dios were made by the Huichol, an indigenous group in Mexico, during the 15th century and have become a popular southwest holiday tradition. The Huichol considered them good luck and used them for protection. The Huichol people have strong connections to the land, and their spiritual beliefs are aligned with nature. The four ends of the Ojos de Dios represent water, fire, air and earth. Video directions using sticks and yarn
Whole-School Book Fair Decoration Project Students design and cut a paper snowflake
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.
Crafty Connection Ojos de Dios were made by the Huichol, an indigenous group in Mexico, during the 15th century and have become a popular southwest holiday tradition. The Huichol considered them good luck and used them for protection. The Huichol people have strong connections to the land, and their spiritual beliefs are aligned with nature. The four ends of the Ojos de Dios represent water, fire, air and earth. Video directions using sticks and yarn
Whole-School Book Fair Decoration Project Students design and cut a paper snowflake
Week of November 18, 2024 | Fifth Grade | Feeling Thankful
and Joining Together for a Stronger Community
| |  |  |
| | |
Feeling Thankful, by Shelly Rotner and Sheila Kelly
Words and pictures help children reflect on what they feel thankful for.
The Hill We Climb, by Amanda Gorman and recorded for TIME
Amanda S. C. Gorman is an American poet and activist. Her work focuses on issues of oppression, feminism, race, and marginalization, as well as the African diaspora. Born in 1998, Gorman is the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history. The Hill We Climb calls for unity, collaboration, and togetherness, giving thoughts to consider during No Place for Hate Week.
This Story is not About a Kitten, by Randall de Seve
An ode to community and kindness.
Crafty Connection No Place for Hate bookmark
Whole-School Book Fair Decoration Project Students design and cut a paper snowflake
Words and pictures help children reflect on what they feel thankful for.
The Hill We Climb, by Amanda Gorman and recorded for TIME
Amanda S. C. Gorman is an American poet and activist. Her work focuses on issues of oppression, feminism, race, and marginalization, as well as the African diaspora. Born in 1998, Gorman is the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history. The Hill We Climb calls for unity, collaboration, and togetherness, giving thoughts to consider during No Place for Hate Week.
This Story is not About a Kitten, by Randall de Seve
An ode to community and kindness.
Crafty Connection No Place for Hate bookmark
Whole-School Book Fair Decoration Project Students design and cut a paper snowflake
RSS Feed