50 Writing Prompts for Thanksgiving and the Month of November
Thanksgiving and November are the perfect months to bring some fun, engaging writing prompts into the classroom. Turkeys, leaves changing color, pumpkins, and more – plenty of inspiration for elementary teachers looking to spark creativity in their students!
Whether you’re searching for Thanksgiving-specific writing prompts or more general ideas for November, this blog post has many options to bring your students’ imaginations to life!
If you enjoy seasonal writing activities like these, you can find many more writing prompts for kids, including creative prompts, opinion writing topics, and journal ideas that work throughout the school year.
The following November writing prompts are broken apart into writing genres so that you can easily match a Thanksgiving writing prompt with a writing objective. Encourage students to use their journals to write about their favorite Thanksgiving traditions or their favorite part of the month of November.
These writing prompts are also available as printable worksheets. Included are 44 of the prompts below, graphic organizers, writing space, and a checklist. These November Writing Prompts Worksheets are available on Teachers Pay Teachers.
If you’re looking for Christmas Writing Prompts for next month, I have those, too! Below are 50 Writing Prompts for Thanksgiving and the Month of November.
22 Opinion Writing Prompts for Thanksgiving and November
One of the best resources for engaging elementary students in Thanksgiving-themed writing is this list of Thanksgiving opinion writing prompts. This list contains a variety of prompts that encourage students to share their thoughts and ideas about Thanksgiving.
From questions about favorite Thanksgiving foods to prompts about the importance of giving thanks, these writing prompts provide students with the opportunity to express their opinions in a fun and creative way.
- Do you believe Thanksgiving should be celebrated worldwide? Why or why not?
- Some people think that pumpkin pie is the best part of Thanksgiving. Do you agree or disagree?
- Should we have more days in the year dedicated to giving thanks? Why or why not?
- Should schools have the whole week off for Thanksgiving or only a four-day weekend? Explain your reasons.
- Which do you prefer: helping to cook the Thanksgiving meal or cleaning up afterward? Why?
- Should Black Friday shopping start on Thanksgiving Day? Share your thoughts and reasons.
- Do you think fall is the best season? Why or why not?
- Do you think schools should teach more about the Native American perspective of Thanksgiving? Why or why not?
- Do you believe that everyone should volunteer at a food bank at least once? Why or why not?
- What’s your opinion on starting Christmas decorations right after Thanksgiving? Explain your reasons.
- Do you think children should have a bigger role in planning the Thanksgiving dinner? Why or why not?
- Should the president continue the tradition of pardoning a turkey every year on Thanksgiving? Give your reasons.
- Do you prefer sitting at a separate children’s table during Thanksgiving, or would you want everyone, both kids and adults, to be seated together at one table?
- What are your thoughts on eating leftovers for days after Thanksgiving? Is it a good or bad idea?
- Do you believe veterans should receive more recognition than they currently do? Why or why not?
- Should Thanksgiving always be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, or should the date be flexible? Explain your reasons.
- Would you rather have Thanksgiving dinner with your immediate family or join a big gathering with extended family and friends?
- Should we have more days like Veterans Day to honor people who serve their country in different ways? Explain your reasons.
- What about your family or friends are you most grateful for? Why?
- Stores used to be closed on Thanksgiving and open early on Friday for holiday sales. Now, some stores have Thanksgiving Day sales. Do you think this is good or bad?
- Imagine you have been asked to organize the Veterans Day parade. What would you include in the parade and why?
- If you could invite anyone, living or deceased, to your Thanksgiving dinner, who would it be and why?
These writing prompts for Thanksgiving encourage students to form and express their own opinions and engage in thoughtful reflection about various aspects of November themes, such as Thanksgiving, Veterans Day, and volunteering at a food bank.
15 Informational Writing Prompts for Thanksgiving and November
Here are 15 informational writing prompts for Thanksgiving and the month of November. The writing prompts are sorted into categories so that you can find the best prompts to fit your teaching standards.
Informational Research
- Write about the origins and history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
- Research a famous Native American leader and write a biography.
- Describe a holiday similar to Thanksgiving that is celebrated by another culture.
- Why do birds migrate during the fall season?
- Write about the history of cranberries and their role in Thanksgiving meals.
- What is the symbolism of the cornucopia in Thanksgiving decorations?
- Explore the concept of “Friendsgiving” and how it’s celebrated.
- Discuss the history and significance of Veterans Day.
- Write a comparison between Thanksgiving celebrations in the United States and another country’s autumn festival.
Informational Explanations
- Explain the traditional foods typically served during a Thanksgiving meal.
- What is the role of gratitude in our lives and why it’s important?
- Why are family gatherings during the Thanksgiving season important?
- Write about the different ways people volunteer and give back to their communities in November.
How To Thanksgiving Writing
- Write about how your favorite meal is prepared. Include the ingredients and step-by-step instructions.
- Write a step-by-step guide on how to make a delicious pumpkin pie.
These November writing prompts encourage students to research, organize their thoughts, and articulate information in a clear and engaging manner. They also promote understanding of various topics, such as science concepts and social issues.
13 Narrative Thanksgiving Writing Prompts
Here are 13 narrative writing prompts for Thanksgiving that can be used during the month of November:
Fictional Narrative Writing Prompts for Thanksgiving – Short Stories
- Write a story about a unique Thanksgiving dinner where all the food could talk. What would the turkey say?
- What if you found a magic cornucopia that could produce any food you wished for? What would you ask it to create?
- Write a story about a squirrel preparing for winter. What adventures does it embark on to gather food?
- Pretend you’re a turkey who has just learned about Thanksgiving. How do you react, and what’s your plan?
- Imagine you wake up one morning to find that you’re in charge of cooking the entire Thanksgiving meal. What happens next?
- Write a story in which you find a mysterious November calendar that predicts the future. What does it say, and how do you react?
Personal Narrative Writing Prompts
- Share something another person currently does or once did for you for which you are grateful. It could be something they do every day, once in a while, or only once.
- Write a story about a time when you helped serve food at a local food bank. How did it make you feel?
- What if the first Thanksgiving had been held in modern times? How would it be different?
- Write a story about a family tradition that your family has for Thanksgiving.
Other Narrative Writing Prompts for November
- You have been given the opportunity to create a new November holiday. What would it be, and how would people celebrate it?
- Imagine that you and your friends decided to organize a community service project in November. What would it be and why?
- Pretend you are a chef preparing a meal for a food bank. Describe the process and the joy of giving.
These prompts are designed to inspire both personal and fictional narratives, focusing on themes relevant to November. They encourage empathy, critical thinking, and creativity.
These Thanksgiving writing prompts are a great way to celebrate the students’ best Thanksgiving and have fun while doing it. Whether you’re in the classroom or homeschooling, it’s the perfect time of year to get creative about stories, ideas, and fun Thanksgiving reflections. From second grade to fifth grade, these prompts can be used during the whole month of November!
More Thanksgiving Teaching Ideas
Thanksgiving Science Experiments
Thankful Flap Book
Thankful Tree Craft
Create a Timeline of the History of Thanksgiving
I am having a hard time writing with my first & second graders. I would love to have the freebies. Thank you so much.
Thank you so much for reaching out! Writing with first and second graders can be a challenge, but these Thanksgiving prompts are a great way to spark their creativity and get them excited to share their ideas. The free prompts are listed directly in the post, so feel free to use those with your students right away.
If you’re looking for more structured support, there’s also a paid option with printable pages and graphic organizers that might make the writing process even smoother for you and your students. I hope the prompts bring a bit of Thanksgiving fun to your writing lessons!