Overview: Writing prompts are a fun way to get students thinking about a particular topic. The following Thanksgiving writing prompts ask students to think, feel, and imagine as they are presented with various Thanksgiving scenarios.

Recommended Grade Level(s): First, Second, Third

Objective(s): Students will be able to...

  1. Write a narrative in which they recount an event, using details, and providing closure.
  2. Write an opinion piece in which they state their opinion, supply at least one reason, and provide some sense of closure.

Materials:

Thanksgiving Day Writing Prompt--Students are asked to write about how they plan to spend their Thanksgiving Day.

Thanksgiving Day For Less Fortunate--Students are asked to think of ways they can help someone less fortunate than they this Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving With Someone Special--Students are asked to think of a list of people they would like to spend Thanksgiving with and to include at least one question they would ask them.

Thanksgiving Day Proverb--Students are asked to consider a Native American Proverb and how it relates to the Pilgrims' journey.

Thanksgiving Day Sights and Smells--Students are asked to recall the best Thanksgiving Day they have ever had and to write about what made it so special.

Thankful--Students are to think about three people they are thankful for and how they would tell them so.

Turkeys in a Car--Students are to create a fictional story about two turkeys they saw driving to Grandma's house.

Common Core Alignment:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.1 Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply reason for the opinion, and provide some sense of closure.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.3 Write narratives in which they recount two or more appropriately sequenced events, include some details regarding what happened, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide some sense of closure.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.1 Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply reasons that support the opinion, use linking words (e.g. because, and, also) to connect opinion and reasons, and provide a concluding statement or section.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.3 Write narratives in which they recount a well-elaborated event or short sequence of events. include details to describe actions, thoughts, and feelings, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide a sense of closure.