As I sat there with the family, enjoying the beginning of our Holiday season…
My mind shifted back to my son and the fact that he was struggling in school.
I get it… not a time to think about such things! But how could I possibly stop?
He was struggling in school, and, as a result, his self-confidence was eroding before my eyes!
So, I began using some things I had learned where I could incorporate learning into our Holiday festivities…
Recently, our special education expert, Melissa… shared some of the things SHE has used during Thanksgiving.
I used that, and it WORKED!
She shares her secrets in this blog post…
It’s something you do NOT want to miss!
The Thanksgiving season is upon us!
What better way to celebrate than through reading and writing!
Reading And Writing Our Way Through Thanksgiving
Here are some fun ideas to celebrate the season while improving reading comprehension and writing skills with your child!
Thanksgiving Recipe Sequence Writing
For this activity, the focus is on sequence words:
- First
- Second
- Third
- Next
- Then
- Last
- Finally
You will be using these words to write a recipe for how to cook a Thanksgiving turkey! Explain that a recipe usually includes: ingredients, a list of step-by-step instructions using sequence words, a temperature for cooking, and a time frame for cooking.
Don’t give too much information about cooking a turkey because what your child will come up within their own is usually hilarious.
If your child needs help getting started, you can ask questions such as:
- Where do you get a turkey?
- How do you prepare it?
- How long do you cook it?
- At what temperature do you cook it?
After your child is finished writing their instructions, have them publish on a recipe card. These can be purchased at the Dollar store, or even hand made! Enjoy this keepsake for the years to come! It is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face for the years to come.
Book Talk Placemat Activity
In this activity, begin by reading a Thanksgiving favorite with your child.
Some suggestions for this reading are
- Not This Turkey by Jessica Steinberg
- Thanksgiving in the Woods by Phyllis Alsdurf
- The Great Thanksgiving Escape by Mark Fearing
On a piece of 12×12 scrapbook cardstock, have your child will write questions around the border of the placemat. You can assist with this as needed.
Then have them decorate the center to make it visually appealing. Since the purpose of the placemat is to engage the entire family in a discussion, students will need to write general questions about books so that everyone can participate!
For example:
- What is your favorite book?
- What series do you enjoy reading?
- What character do you want to know more about?
- What is your favorite genre? Least favorite genre?
- What author would you like to have over to dinner?
No matter what game or activity you choose with your child, the end result will be the same… making great memories!
These are truly the moment’s children will always remember, always cherish, and traditions they will continue with once they become parents!
If you’re searching for additional ways your child can get caught back up during breaks or even some evenings… we offer one-on-one special education tutoring that can be done from anywhere you are! Why? Because our special education experts conduct their sessions online!
Get started with a free consultation!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone…Gobble till you Wobble!
