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Thank You for Making a Difference!

We'd like to say thank you for all that you do to impact students' lives. We also know how important it is to instill gifts of gratitude within our students. In this week's featured sites you will find Thanksgiving treasures, gratitude goodies, and project ideas for saying "Thanks!" 

Grades 2-8

The First Thanksgiving

Take a virtual field trip to the first Thanksgiving. Find teacher guides for grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8. View videos, photos, and historic letters. This site is ideal for your interactive whiteboard. Small groups can also explore on their own.

Grades K-12

TeachersFirst's Thanksgiving Resources

Explore this curated list of interactive sites for all ages related to Thanksgiving. Click to expand the reviews and read the description and classroom ideas listed. Find classroom activities to share before the holiday break.

Grades 1-5

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts and More

Although this site includes some paid, member-only features, it also includes a number of FREE printables. Find writing prompts, sequencing, food groups, comprehension sheets, vocabulary, puzzles, learning centers, math pages, story starters, and more!

Say Thank You with a Digital Gift!

Share these five web tools with your students to create a personalized Thank You gift for family members, friends, teachers, bus drivers, support staff, and others. Most could also be used to demonstrate comprehension or as a culminating activity. 

Grades K-12

Little Kids Rock

Help your students learn to write music, play instruments, and sing! Short videos are available from beginner levels to advanced. Have students learn an instrument or singing skills and prepare a musical "thank you gift" for family or friends.

Grades 1-12

Award Certificate Templates

Find free printable certificates for school, family, or fun. Change color schemes or formats. Select and add your text. You can print or download to save. Demonstrate gratitude by creating Thank You certificates for your students. Students can create too!

Grades K-12

Bookemon

This is the ultimate in digital storytelling. Students can write their own original books, add images, artwork, and more. View the interactive, online format for NO FEE! Students can create personalized thank you gifts or culminating projects.

Grades K-12

PicLits

Create great sentences or notes of gratitude inspired by beautiful pictures with this drag and drop literacy tool. Also use to create PicLits in class during book discussions about character traits.

Grades K-12

VoiceThread

Upload an image or slide from your digital camera, computer, or elsewhere. Students can record or write their own comments and/or narration about the images/slides. Other listeners can "comment" back. Use these for students to say "thanks" to each other.

Giving Thanks and Giving Back

Explore this trio to find great ideas for your students to learn about gratitude, to give back, and to get involved. There are lesson plans, charities to explore, and much more. 

Grades K-3

Peekapak

Teach social-emotional skills, including self-regulation, gratitude, and respect, through short teaching units for young students. Each lesson includes an introductory story, classroom activities, and more. Share on your class website.

Grades 1-12

Charity Navigator

Inspire your students to find worthy causes to give back and help other people in need. Challenge your students to find a charity on this site. The database of charities includes a rating system done by financial analysts, trends, and other information.

Grades 7-12

Giving Thanks: A Compare-and-Contrast Lesson

This must-see, powerful, five minute video is suitable for Thanksgiving or any season. Encourage students to reflect on their lives and appreciate how fortunate they are when compared to children in other parts of the world. Discuss together afterwards.

This Week at TeachersFirst

#OtherPeopleMatter - Has your class joined the Positivity Project? See our weekly poll to view reader results! Our OK2Ask Fall Professional Learning series has wrapped up, but you can still view the archives. And, don't forget to catch up on our blog!