The days leading up to Thanksgiving break can be tricky in an upper elementary classroom. Students are excited, schedules are often interrupted, and keeping everyone focused isn’t always easy. Finding Thanksgiving grammar activities that are engaging an d still instructional can make those last few days a little easier.
That’s when I like to switch things up without putting grammar instruction on hold.
These three activities give 4th and 5th graders a chance to review important grammar skills while enjoying a little Thanksgiving fun. Best of all, they don’t require hours of preparation.
1. Feather Flight: A Thanksgiving Preposition Activity
Get students out of their seats with this hands-on Thanksgiving grammar activity that puts prepositions into action!
All you need are colorful craft feathers and paper for recording, prepositional phrases. If you don’t have craft feathers, students can make their own using construction paper.
Here’s how it works:
- Give each student a craft feather or have them cut a feather shape from construction paper.
- Have students write their initials on their feathers.
- Once everyone is ready, have students stand in a designated area of the classroom.
- Countdown from three and have students throw or blow feathers into the air.
- Students observe where their feathers fly or land and record a prepositional phrase describing the location.
- After recording their phrases, students retrieve their feathers and prepare for another round.
Students may record phrases, such as:
- Above the desk
- Across the classroom
- Beneath the chair
- Beside the bookshelf
- Between two tables
- Through the air
- Under the desk
Repeat the activity for several rounds, challenge students to use a different preposition each time.
Want to make it more challenging?
Have students use their prepositional phrases in complete sentences. They can underline each prepositional phrase, and circle the object of the preposition.
Before starting, remind students to toss their feathers away from classmates and classroom equipment.
Want to switch things up?
Instead of tossing their feathers, challenge students to keep them floating by blowing on them! Students can record where their feathers travel and land using different prepositional phrases.
2. Thanksgiving Grammar Sorting Pies
Who says pie is just for dessert? Put a Thanksgiving twist on grammar review with this hands on sorting activity!
For this activity, students sort, grammar examples into different tense, based on the skill being practiced. You can use inexpensive, aluminum, pie tin, and paper circles to create the sorting mat.
Label each pie tin with a grammar category, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, or adverbs.
You can also adapt this activity to review different types of sentences. Have students sort sentences by types (declarative, imperative, interrogative, or exclamatory), structure (simple, compound, or complex), or completeness (complete or incomplete sentences).
Here’s how it works:
- Give students sentence strips or word cards containing examples of different grammar skills.
- Have students read each card and determine which grammar category it belongs to.
- Students placed their cards into the correct tins.
- Once they’ve sorted all the cards, they checked their answers using an answer key.
If you’d rather skip creating your own sorting cards, these Grammar Pie Sorting Activities are ready to print. Students practice identifying sentence types, frequently confused words, and parts of speech (prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections) while sorting different pie pieces.
Want to extend the activity?
Have students choose a few words from their sorted cards and use them in complete Thanksgiving-themed sentences.
This Thanksgiving grammar activity works well for independence practice, literacy centers, or a quick review before break.
3. Thanksgiving Grammar Worksheets
Sometimes, you need Thanksgiving grammar activities that students can complete independently without adding more preparation to your day.
These Thanksgiving Grammar Worksheets give 4th and 5th graders a fun way to review important language skills before the holiday break.
Instead of traditional grammar exercises, students practice skills through Thanksgiving-themed puzzles and activities. The variety keeps grammar review interesting while giving students opportunities to apply what they’ve learned.
You can use these Thanksgiving grammar worksheets for:
- Morning work
- Literacy centers
- Early finishers
- Independent grammar review
- Sub plans
They’re especially helpful during the days leading up to Thanksgiving break when you want students working on meaningful ELA activities without planning another full lesson.
Frequently Asked Questions about Thanksgiving Grammar Activities
What are some fun Thanksgiving grammar activities for 4th and 5th graders?
Fun Thanksgiving grammar activities include tossing feathers to practice prepositions, sorting grammar examples into pie tins, and completing Thanksgiving-themed to grammar puzzles. These activities give students opportunities to review important language skills while enjoy enjoying a little seasonal fun.
What are some OTHER low-prep Thanksgiving ELA activities for upper elementary students?
Other low prep, Thanksgiving ELA activities include reading, response, activities, Thanksgiving vocabulary, puzzles, and seasonal writing prompts. For more ideas, check out these Thanksgiving ELA activities for the classroom, including reading, vocabulary, and writing practice.
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