Thanksgiving Chain

Here’s a Thanksgiving activity that will get your students thinking.

Supplies:

• Construction paper in fall colors, such as red, brown, orange, and yellow
• Stapler or tape
• Markers
• Scissors

1. To begin, provide each student with two or three sheets of construction paper and a pair of scissors. Have students cut the paper lengthwise into 1″ - 1 1/2″ wide strips.

2. Instruct the students to think of all the things they can be thankful for. Have them write one item on each strip of paper. These will be the “links” in the chain. Provide more paper if necessary.

3. Once most of the students are finished, have them look at their items again. Is there anything else they can think of? Most probably mentioned their families, homes, friends, pets, school, etc. Help your students think beyond their immediate surroundings. What community helpers will come to their aid in an emergency? What conveniences do they enjoy, such as buying food or clothes from a store? What freedoms and opportunities do they have that people in other countries to not?

4. Finally, begin making your chain. Ask the first student to name something written on one of the papers. Have that student staple the ends of the paper together, forming a link.

5. Ask the second student to name something written on one of her papers. It must be something DIFFERENT than the first student mentioned. Thread that paper through the first link and staple the ends together, forming the second link.

6. Continue around the room until everyone has added a link. No two links should list the same item.

7. After everyone has added a link, start around the room again. For added fun, try to make the chain as long as you can. Is it long enough to go around the whole room?

For variation, you might break the students up into small groups or have them work on chains individually. Which group can create the longest chain?

Guest Post - Samantha Bell

Image - kelanew