Activity Overview
Paper chains are a fun and easy decoration for students to make. This activity is perfect for adding some fun fall and festive decor to your classroom or for students to create and bring home to decorate their own houses!
Students can create Thanksgiving-themed paper chains using any of the fun imagery on Storyboard That. Textables, scenes, and characters can also be used to make stories within the chains. Use the filters for cool effects, like removing color or greyscale, and have students color in the images! There's so many options to customize this project that it's sure to be a fun activity for your students.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Add Thanksgiving or other festive images to make paper chains.
- Save, exit, and print!
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visualizations | Images show creativity and care. | Scenes, characters, and items are appropriate for this purpose. | Images are confusing or do not make sense for this purpose. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is complete, thorough, and neat. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas may be disorganized or misplaced. Lack of control over grammar, mechanics, and spelling reflect a lack of proofreading. |
Activity Overview
Paper chains are a fun and easy decoration for students to make. This activity is perfect for adding some fun fall and festive decor to your classroom or for students to create and bring home to decorate their own houses!
Students can create Thanksgiving-themed paper chains using any of the fun imagery on Storyboard That. Textables, scenes, and characters can also be used to make stories within the chains. Use the filters for cool effects, like removing color or greyscale, and have students color in the images! There's so many options to customize this project that it's sure to be a fun activity for your students.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Add Thanksgiving or other festive images to make paper chains.
- Save, exit, and print!
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visualizations | Images show creativity and care. | Scenes, characters, and items are appropriate for this purpose. | Images are confusing or do not make sense for this purpose. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is complete, thorough, and neat. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas may be disorganized or misplaced. Lack of control over grammar, mechanics, and spelling reflect a lack of proofreading. |
How Tos about Make Thanksgiving Paper Chains
How to organize a collaborative Thanksgiving paper chain display across the classroom
Plan a class-wide paper chain display by assigning each student or group a section of chain to design. Collaboration encourages teamwork and helps students feel ownership of the classroom decor.
Set clear design guidelines for students
Explain the theme, size, and materials to use for each chain link. Clear expectations help students stay focused and produce cohesive decorations.
Assign unique Thanksgiving themes to groups
Give each group a specific Thanksgiving symbol or tradition to illustrate on their links, such as turkeys, gratitude, or autumn leaves. This ensures variety and sparks creativity.
Combine and display all paper chains together
After each group finishes, connect all the chains to create one long collaborative decoration. Display it prominently around the classroom door, windows, or bulletin board for everyone to enjoy.
Facilitate a reflection discussion
Invite students to share their design choices and what they learned about Thanksgiving. This reflection builds community and reinforces the meaning behind the activity.
Frequently Asked Questions about Make Thanksgiving Paper Chains
How do you make Thanksgiving paper chains with students?
Making Thanksgiving paper chains is easy: have students select festive images or patterns, print or decorate strips of paper, and loop them together to form a chain. For added creativity, use themed imagery or let students color their own designs before linking them together.
What materials do I need for a classroom Thanksgiving paper chain activity?
You'll need colored or white paper, scissors, glue or tape, and markers or crayons. For themed chains, print images from resources like Storyboard That, or let students draw their own Thanksgiving designs.
How can I customize Thanksgiving paper chains for different grade levels?
For younger students, use pre-printed images and simple assembly. For older students, encourage them to design their own strips with stories, messages, or more detailed art before creating the chains.
What are some creative ideas for Thanksgiving paper chain decorations?
Try using textables, scenes, or characters to tell a Thanksgiving story across the chain, write messages of gratitude on each link, or experiment with filters like greyscale for a coloring activity.
Why are paper chain crafts a good Thanksgiving classroom activity?
Paper chain crafts are quick, low-prep, and encourage creative expression. They foster collaboration, fine motor skills, and let students personalize their classroom with festive, hands-on decor.
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