Activity Overview
Many students may have traditions when it comes to the food they eat at Thanksgiving. Whether everyone in the family brings something or one person cooks for everyone, there's always some staples. In this activity, students will create a Thanksgiving dinner menu that reflects their family's Thanksgiving dinner or the dinner they would plan if it was up to them to decide what would be eaten. The instructions provided point students toward the former activity, but you can edit them if you want to give students the choice to do the latter!
When students have finished their menu poster, they can print it off to bring home as part of their Thanksgiving celebrations. They can also be hung in the classroom for a gallery walk, and facilitate a discussion on what students believe are essential foods to have and why their family may or may not serve certain "traditional" foods, like turkey or pumpkin pie.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a menu of your Thanksgiving dinner!
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Use either the worksheet or small poster layout to create your menu.
- Use textables to describe the menu.
- Add images of food or any other Storyboard That art you'd like to decorate your menu.
- Save and exit when you're done.
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
Many students may have traditions when it comes to the food they eat at Thanksgiving. Whether everyone in the family brings something or one person cooks for everyone, there's always some staples. In this activity, students will create a Thanksgiving dinner menu that reflects their family's Thanksgiving dinner or the dinner they would plan if it was up to them to decide what would be eaten. The instructions provided point students toward the former activity, but you can edit them if you want to give students the choice to do the latter!
When students have finished their menu poster, they can print it off to bring home as part of their Thanksgiving celebrations. They can also be hung in the classroom for a gallery walk, and facilitate a discussion on what students believe are essential foods to have and why their family may or may not serve certain "traditional" foods, like turkey or pumpkin pie.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a menu of your Thanksgiving dinner!
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Use either the worksheet or small poster layout to create your menu.
- Use textables to describe the menu.
- Add images of food or any other Storyboard That art you'd like to decorate your menu.
- Save and exit when you're done.
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 a Thanksgiving Dinner Menu
Incorporate cultural traditions into Thanksgiving menu projects
Encourage students to explore and share diverse family traditions by adding dishes from their own backgrounds to their Thanksgiving menus. This helps students make personal connections and appreciate different cultures represented in your classroom.
Guide students in researching traditional and modern Thanksgiving foods
Assign research tasks for students to learn about both classic and contemporary Thanksgiving dishes. Use books or credible websites to help them discover the history and meaning behind various menu items.
Facilitate group discussions about menu choices
Lead a class discussion where students explain their menu selections and reflect on why certain foods are important to their families. This strengthens public speaking skills and builds a sense of community.
Connect menu planning to writing skills
Prompt students to write descriptive paragraphs or short stories about a favorite Thanksgiving dish. This helps them practice descriptive writing and strengthens literacy skills alongside the menu project.
Display and celebrate students’ menus with a classroom gallery walk
Organize a gallery walk where students display their menus and walk around to view peers’ projects. This allows them to learn from each other’s traditions and fosters a positive, inclusive classroom environment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Make a Thanksgiving Dinner Menu
How can students create a Thanksgiving dinner menu for a classroom activity?
Students can create a Thanksgiving dinner menu by using a worksheet or poster layout, listing traditional or family-favorite dishes, and decorating with images or drawings. This activity helps them reflect on cultural traditions and allows for creativity.
What are some essential foods to include on a Thanksgiving dinner menu for kids?
Essential foods for a kid-friendly Thanksgiving menu often include turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, corn, green beans, and pumpkin pie. Students can also add unique family dishes to personalize their menus.
What is a simple Thanksgiving menu project for elementary students?
A simple project involves having students design a Thanksgiving menu poster that lists their favorite holiday foods and includes images or drawings. They can share their menus with the class or take them home as part of the celebration.
How do you facilitate a classroom discussion about Thanksgiving food traditions?
After students create their menus, teachers can hang them for a gallery walk and lead a discussion about different Thanksgiving traditions, asking students to explain why certain foods are important to their families or cultures.
Why is it important to let students share their family's Thanksgiving dinner traditions?
Sharing family traditions helps students appreciate cultural diversity, fosters classroom community, and gives them a sense of pride in their heritage. It also encourages respectful discussion and empathy among classmates.
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