Thanksgiving STEM Story Stations: Makerspace Task Cards: Challenges & Read Aloud

Keep your students engaged and excited during the busy Thanksgiving season with this creative blend of Thanksgiving craft, STEM challenges, and read-aloud activities. Perfect for teachers who need fun, no prep STEM lessons, this resource integrates Thanksgiving read-aloud books with hands-on STEM craftivities that foster creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Whether you're setting up Thanksgiving centers or looking for meaningful STEAM activities, this resource provides everything you need for a productive and enjoyable Thanksgiving classroom experience.

Why You’ll Love This Resource

• Integrates Literacy and STEM: Each challenge is tied to a Thanksgiving book, offering a seamless blend of read aloud activities with engaging, hands-on STEM challenges.

• Perfect for Thanksgiving Centers: Students can rotate through different Thanksgiving craft stations, each tied to a story, making it an interactive and educational experience.

• No Prep and Ready to Use: Ideal for busy teachers, these activities are ready to go and include detailed instructions for both print and digital formats.

• Builds Critical Thinking and Creativity: Students use the engineering design process to solve problems from the stories, fostering problem-solving skills and encouraging collaboration.

What’s Included:

• 10 Open-Ended Thanksgiving STEM Challenges: Each challenge is linked to a Thanksgiving read aloud book, using simple materials that are easy to gather.

• Lesson Plans for Makerspace Stations: Step-by-step instructions for setting up STEM stations in your classroom, making it easy to implement.

• Makerspace Resources: Includes engineering design process think sheets and templates to guide students through the challenges.

• Digital Choice Board: With links to read aloud books on YouTube, students can listen to the stories and complete the STEM activities independently.

• Google Slides Version: A digital option for distance learning or blended classrooms.

Books Featured (Books not included):

• Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano

• Turkey Goes to School by Wendi Silvano

• How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace & Andy Elkerton

• ‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey

• Thankful by Eileen Spinelli

• Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet

• Turkey Tot by George Shannon

• The Best Thanksgiving Ever! by Teddy Slater

• A Turkey For Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting

• A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman

How to Use This Resource:

• In the Classroom: Set up Thanksgiving centers where students can rotate through various STEM challenges and craftivities based on the Thanksgiving books.

• Read Aloud and STEM Challenge: Begin with a read aloud activity, then have students complete the related STEM challenge that ties into the story, reinforcing comprehension and problem-solving skills.

• Digital and In-Person: Use the digital version on Google Slides for remote or hybrid learning, allowing students to engage with the challenges at home.

Perfect for:

• Thanksgiving Craftivity: Engage students with a fun and educational Thanksgiving craft that encourages hands-on learning.

• No Prep STEM Activities: Ready-to-use Thanksgiving STEM challenges that require minimal prep and simple materials.

• STEAM Activities for Centers: Incorporate both literacy and STEM activities into your Thanksgiving centers to keep students learning and collaborating.

This Thanksgiving Craft Read Aloud Books & Activities resource offers a perfect mix of STEM challenges, craftivities, and read aloud experiences that will keep your students engaged and excited for the holiday. With no prep STEM lessons and hands-on activities, it's an ideal resource for building critical thinking and creativity in your classroom!