Every Thanksgiving, my students and I create turkey themed activities and bulletin boards. We read a variety of fall and Thanksgiving read alouds and talk A LOT about thankfulness and gratitude. I remind my students that while they have their own families, we are a classroom family where they can feel safe and loved. We create a classroom bulletin board they never want me to take down. I want to share my ideas for a Thanksgiving bulletin board that students always enjoy.
Start Your Thanksgiving Activity With A Read Aloud
I love starting my lessons with a read aloud that opens up discussion about our topic. I like to use the stories to get kids thinking before we dive into learning. Besides, the kids always love a fun story read aloud. Around Thanksgiving, we like to read “How To Catch A Turkey”. The story always makes the kids laugh and we do all sorts of activities after to tie everything together. You can read this story before completing this turkey craft activity for your bulletin board display. Students can glue their pictures to the craft and they will love seeing it hanging in the hallway. You can purchase the book from Amazon HERE.
Have Students Construct Their Turkey Activity For Thanksgiving
Creating these little turkeys is simple. Just print the one page template as well as a photo of each student. Have the kids color their turkeys and the little bow. Then, they cut out the templates and their face and glue the pieces together. The bow can be placed on the turkeys head or neck!
Once the Thanksgiving Activity is Complete, Construct Your Thanksgiving Bulletin Board
To create your festive Thanksgiving bulletin board, you’ll need the “Thankful For My Little Turkeys” printable letters, the decorative banner pennants, colorful border (there are 3 styles to choose from) and the student turkeys. All of the pieces are included in this bulletin board kit, so all you have to do is print, cut and display! Also included are step by step instructions for assembling and completing the entire activity.
Encourages A Strong Classroom Community
I’ve discussed this in previous posts, but I love doing activities that promote a sense of community in the classroom. Creating this bulletin board with their smiling faces means the world to some students. Some don’t have photos of themselves on the walls at home. Providing this visual creates a sense of community and family within the classroom. Activities like this reassure students that they are special .. that they are part of a group .. that they are seen and included!
Another Fun Idea for a Thanksgiving Bulletin Board
Use this Gratitude bulletin board display during November to promote thankfulness and gratitude in the classroom. Students draw a picture of something they are grateful for and write about it under the picture. Once complete, the little polaroids hang on the bulletin board display along with the definition of gratitude. Just like the Thanksgiving activity, this one helps students feel heard, seen and appreciated in the classroom. Displaying their hard work in the classroom makes students feel proud of their work.
I have a bulletin board bundle – at a discounted rate. You can get them all here:
You can also find my Thanksgiving and Fall bulletin boards here:
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