Lesson Plan: Thanksgiving - English Class (A1 Level, 7th Grade)
Lesson Objectives:
1. Understand the meaning and history of Thanksgiving.
2. Learn vocabulary related to Thanksgiving (e.g., turkey, pilgrims, Native Americans, parade).
3. Practice reading and comprehension using a text about Thanksgiving.
4. Develop speaking skills through discussion and a short activity.
5. Use digital tools to complete an interactive task.
Materials:
• Pictures of Thanksgiving scenes (turkey dinner, parade, pilgrims and Native Americans)
• Printed text for reading
• Worksheet with vocabulary and comprehension exercises
• Computers or tablets with internet access
Lesson Structure:
1. Warm-up (5 minutes)
• Show students pictures related to Thanksgiving. Ask:
• "What do you see in these pictures?"
• "Do you know what this celebration is called?"
2. Introduction to Thanksgiving (5 minutes)
• Read aloud a short introduction:
"Thanksgiving is a special day in the United States and Canada. It is a
time to say 'thank you' for the good things in our lives. People eat a big
dinner, watch parades, and spend time with family."
3. Reading Activity (10 minutes)
• Distribute the Thanksgiving text (see below).
• Students read individually and underline new words.
4. Comprehension Questions (10 minutes)
• Answer questions based on the text (see worksheet).
5. Interactive Activity (15 minutes)
• Students work on computers or tablets to create a digital Thanksgiving card. They
choose pictures, write a short Thanksgiving greeting, and share it with the class.
6. Wrap-up and Homework (5 minutes)
• Summarize the lesson and assign homework: write a short paragraph about what they
are thankful for.
Text: Thanksgiving (A1 Level)
Thanksgiving is a holiday in the United States and Canada. It is a day to say "thank you" for food
and family. People eat turkey, potatoes, and pumpkin pie. They also watch parades with music and
big balloons.
Thanksgiving in the United States is on the fourth Thursday of November. In Canada, it is on the
second Monday of October.
A long time ago, in 1620, pilgrims came from England to America. They leave England because
they want religious freedom. They sail on the Mayflower to start a new life. They do not have
enough food, and many of them are sick. Native Americans help them. They teach them how to
grow corn and catch fish. The pilgrims say "thank you" and have a big dinner together.
Today, people remember this story. Families come together to eat and be happy. Many people also
watch parades on TV or in the streets. A parade is a big event with music, people in costumes, and
floats.
Thanksgiving is about being thankful. People say "thank you" for their food, their homes, and their
families.
Worksheet
Part A: Vocabulary Match
Match the words to their definitions.
1. Pilgrim
2. Parade
3. Pumpkin pie
4. Native Americans
5. Corn
a) A sweet dessert made from pumpkins, often eaten on Thanksgiving.
b) A yellow vegetable that grows on tall plants and was an important crop for Native Americans and
pilgrims.
c) A person who travels to a new place for religious freedom.
d) The first people who lived in North America before European settlers arrived.
e) A public event where people march or ride floats to celebrate a holiday or special occasion.
Part B: Comprehension Questions
1. When is Thanksgiving in the United States?
2. Why do the pilgrims say "thank you" to the Native Americans?
3. What is a parade?
4. What do people eat on Thanksgiving?
Part C: Writing
Write 3 things you are thankful for.
When is Thanksgiving in the United States?
• Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday of November.
• Why do the pilgrims say "thank you" to the Native Americans?
• The pilgrims thank the Native Americans because they help them survive their first winter
by teaching them how to grow food and hunt.
• What is a parade?
• A parade is a public event with people, floats, and performers marching to celebrate
something.
• What do people eat on Thanksgiving?
• People eat turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and other traditional dishes.
Part C: Writing
Write 3 things you are thankful for:
(Example answers to guide students):
1. I am thankful for my family.
2. I am thankful for my friends.
3. I am thankful for good food.
VIDEO Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Started Small, but Keeps Growing
Questions:
1. What time does the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade start?
2. How many people are working in the parade this year?
3. What do the performers in the parade usually do?
4. Why did the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade begin?
5. Are the giant balloons flying in the parade this year?
Answers:
1. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade starts at 9:00 AM.
2. There are about 8,000 people working in the parade this year.
3. The performers in the parade sing, dance, and march along the streets.
4. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924 to celebrate Thanksgiving and
promote Macy’s store.
5. Yes, the giant balloons are flying in the parade this year.
ONLINE EXERCISE – Use the internet to find answers to the following questions.
What is the Thanksgiving Parade?
• When and where does the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade take place?
• What are some of the main attractions of the parade? (e.g., balloons, floats, bands)
• Who participates in the parade? (e.g., famous people, performers, community groups)
• List some attractions of the parade (e.g. balloons, floats, matching bands, …).
• Why is the parade important for Thanksgiving?
What is the Thanksgiving Parade?
• The Thanksgiving Parade is a public celebration held on Thanksgiving Day, featuring
large floats, balloons, marching bands, performances, and other entertainment. It is a
time for families to gather, watch the spectacle, and celebrate the holiday.
2. Where and when does the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade take place?
• The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place in New York City on Thanksgiving
Day, which is the fourth Thursday in November each year. The parade typically starts
at 9:00 AM and lasts for about 3 hours.
3. List some attractions of the parade.
• Some of the main attractions of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade include:
• Giant balloons in the shape of popular characters (e.g., Snoopy, Mickey
Mouse, Spider-Man).
• Floats designed by Macy’s and various sponsors.
• Marching bands from high schools and universities across the country.
• Celebrity performers and singers.
• Clowns and other entertainers walking alongside the floats.
4. Who participates in the parade?
• Participants in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade include:
• Famous celebrities like singers, actors, and musicians.
• Marching bands from schools across the United States.
• Clowns and performers who entertain the crowds.
• Volunteer workers who help manage the event.
• Giant balloon handlers who help guide the large character balloons.
5. When did the parade first start?
• The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924. It was first organized by
Macy’s department store to celebrate the holiday and promote their store. The first
parade featured animals from the Central Park Zoo and was a much smaller event
compared to today.
6. Why is the parade important for Thanksgiving?
• The parade has become a beloved American tradition. It marks the beginning of the
holiday season and provides entertainment for families to enjoy together. The event
is a symbol of celebration, giving thanks, and kicking off the Christmas season. The
parade also reflects American culture and creativity, with its massive balloons, floats,
and live performances.
Here is an image representing the history of Thanksgiving, showcasing the first shared meal
between pilgrims and Native Americans.
Here are 5 questions based on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade video Macy's Thanksgiving
Day Parade 2023 | FULL, written at an A1 level, using present simple and present continuous
tenses, along with the answers:
Questions:
1. What time does the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade start?
2. How many people are working in the parade this year?
3. What do the performers in the parade usually do?
4. Why did the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade begin?
5. Are the giant balloons flying in the parade this year?
Answers:
1. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade starts at 9:00 AM.
2. There are about 8,000 people working in the parade this year.
3. The performers in the parade sing, dance, and march along the streets.
4. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924 to celebrate Thanksgiving and
promote Macy’s store.
5. Yes, the giant balloons are flying in the parade this year.
These questions encourage students to practice both the present simple and continuous tenses while
reinforcing the historical and current aspects of the parade.
Lesson Plan Addition: "Over the River and Through the Woods"
Objective:
Students will engage with a traditional Thanksgiving song to practice listening comprehension,
vocabulary, and singing. They will learn about Thanksgiving traditions through the song and its
historical context.
Materials Needed:
• Lyrics of "Over the River and Through the Woods"
• Audio or video of the song
• Whiteboard for writing vocabulary
• Worksheet with questions about the song
Activity:
1. Introduction to the Song (10 minutes)
• Introduce the song "Over the River and Through the Woods," explaining that it is a popular
song associated with Thanksgiving in the United States. It describes a journey to
grandmother's house for a family gathering, which many people experience during the
holiday.
• Discuss the vocabulary used in the song, such as "over the river," "through the woods," and
"sleigh," which may be unfamiliar to A1 students.
• Explain that the song is about a family traveling to celebrate Thanksgiving.
2. Listening and Vocabulary Practice (10 minutes)
• Play the song for the students. Ask them to listen carefully.
• After listening, write a few key words and phrases from the song on the board (e.g., "river,"
"woods," "sleigh," "grandmother's house").
• Review the meaning of these words and help students use them in simple sentences.
3. Song Discussion (10 minutes)
• Ask students to answer a few simple questions about the song, such as:
• Who is traveling in the song? (The family)
• Where are they going? (To grandmother's house)
• What are some things they pass on their journey? (The river, the woods)
• What kind of transportation are they using? (A sleigh)
4. Singing Activity (10 minutes)
• Teach students the first verse of the song. Encourage them to sing along, especially focusing
on the rhythm and pronunciation of new vocabulary.
• If time permits, play the song again and have students sing along.
5. Worksheet (10 minutes)
• Provide students with a worksheet with questions like:
• What are the main places mentioned in the song?
• How do the people in the song travel? What is a sleigh?
• What do you think the song tells us about Thanksgiving?
Extension Activity:
• Have students create a simple story or a drawing about their own Thanksgiving journey,
whether real or imagined, incorporating some of the vocabulary learned in the song.
Lyrics
Over the river and through the woods
To grandmother's house we go
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
Through white and drifted snow
Over the river and through the woods
Oh, how the wind does blow
It stings the toes, it bites the nose
As over the ground we go
(Over the river)
Over the river and through the woods
Trot fast, my dapple gray
Spring over the ground like hunting hounds
Upon this Christmas Day
Over the river and through the woods
And straight through the barnyard gate
We seem to go extremely slow
It's just so hard to wait
(Over the river and through the woods)
(Over the river and through the woods)
(The river, we go home)
(Over the river and through the woods)
(We go)
