This post is all about homeschool thanksgiving ideas, curriculum, and resources we have enjoyed.
I cannot believe we have 10 years of homeschool years behind us! Heading into our 11th Thanksgiving season as homeschoolers, I thought it would be fun to share some of the most memorable books, curriculum, and resources we have used and loved.
Not everything is created equal, and our taste may differ from yours. Therefore, just a friendly reminder to take this as a reference point for research rather than a guarantee for delight.
As you may have gathered, we lean into the Charlotte Mason philosophy, but with some definite swerves when it serves the family needs and preferences. Because of that, you will see a lot of books, some themed studies, and a little food too because what is Thanksgiving without a feast, right?
[RELATED: Christmas Curriculum and Resource Ideas for Homeschoolers]
Thanksgiving Books We Love
Thanksgiving Picture Books
Here are some old and new favorites:
🍁 How Many Days to America? A Thankgiving Story by Eve Bunting
🍁 The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin by Stan & Jan Berenstain
🍁 Cranberry Thanksgiving by Wende and Harry Devlin
🍁 Nickommoh! A Thanksgiving Celebration by Jackie French Koller
🍁 Thanksgiving in the Woods by Phyllis Alsdurf
🍁 An Outlaw Thanksgiving by Emily Arnold McCully
🍁 Giving Thanks: Poems, Prayer, and Praise Songs of Thanksgiving by Katherine Paterson
🍁 Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet
🍁 Thank you, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson
🍁 Three Young Pilgrims by Cheryl Harness
Thanksgiving Chapter Books
🍁 Thanksgiving on Thursday by Mary Pope Osborne
🍁 We Gather Together: Stories of Thanksigivng from Then to Now by Denise Kiernan
🍁 History Smashers: The Mayflower by Kate Messner
Homeschool Thanksgiving Curriculum Ideas
Fall and Thanksgiving Collection
A favorite homeschool creator around our home, Beautiful Feet Books, has compiled a Fall and Thanksgiving collection of living books. Over the years, we have loved so many of their studies and book suggestions. This one does not disappoint with 9 living books that invite you into the past and present of the story of Thanksgiving.
[RELATED: Curriculum Review of Beautiful Feet Book’s Around the World with Picture Books]
The New England Guide
A beloved brand I have used in our early years of homeschool is The Peaceful Press. If you like rich literature mixed with hands-on fun, you will want to check out The New England Guide. While this guide is part of a larger history study, this particular section can be purchase for an amazing 4-week Thanksgiving study! Use code “PEACEFULYEAR” for 10% off.
The Thanksgiving Guide
Another small shop we have loved for years, Bright Day Press, offers a 4-day Thanksgiving Guide. They have a variety of holiday guides, and we have used just about all of them to our benefit and delight! The Thanksgiving Guide includes interactive activities, activities and recipes, discussion prompts, a suggested picture book list, and a bonus preschool activity (my kids loved these too!). Despite this study being short, we spread this 4-day study out over 2 weeks since we continued working through our normal school work.
Gathered, a Thanksgiving Guide
A Thanksgiving Guide, created by Kindle Togetherness, is a resource for the whole family. Included are plans for 4 weeks of study using living books, scripture, hymns, folk songs, baking, handcrafts, and more! Conveniently, this study is a digital download only, and offers links to music and supplies as well as book lists featuring four themes: Nation, Family, Neighbors, and Thanksgiving. This felt light and doable with a normal workload of school. I appreciated that we could use this with the whole family.
Homeschool Thanksgiving Curriculum Ideas I Want to Try
A Treasured Thanksgiving
A brand new 2-week study from Treehouse Schoolhouse is releasing in 2024! In years past, we have enjoyed their Christmas guide so much that I was interested in learning more about this new Thanksgiving study. A Treasured Thanksgiving is a Charlotte Mason-inspired curriculum designed with your whole family in mind. It’s an invitation to study the historical Thanksgiving story in a hands-on way. Through Scripture, poetry, art studies, picture books, projects, baking, geography, and narration, your family will spend the two weeks before Thanksgiving connecting together and focusing on the meaning of the holiday.
In the Season of Thanksgiving
I have had my eye on this one for a while, and this may be the year we give it a try! Campfire Curriculum has 2 options for Thanksgiving – In the Season of Thanksgiving and Giving Thanks. Surprising to me, the Season of uses a living books approach, and includes over 40 primary sources so you will get a sense of what it really was like at the first Thanksgiving. As an addition, you can take on some of the many optional activities. Out of the 2 studies, In the Season of Thanksgiving seemed a little more like the style we enjoy.
Homeschool Thanksgiving Ideas for Extra Fun
Autumn Drawing Prompts
A familiar friend in our homeschool has been art history lessons with Yellow Spot: Sun. We have matched whatever history cycle we are in with one of their courses, and they are such a blessing! Additionally, they have an Autumn themed drawing, watercolor, and art appreciation offer, which looks equally as good.
Crockpot Season
Some call it Crocktober, however that is too limiting because crockpot season lasts for months around here. So many delicious savory (and sweet!) recipes available, and things just seem to taste better when it is cooked in this beauty of a slow cooker. My favorite sidekick is the Slow Cooker Menu Plan Box. Here is what you can expect inside:
- 5 Main Dish Recipes: Family-approved, slow cooker recipes that taste amazing!
- 1 Dessert Recipe: Because who doesn’t love a sweet treat to round out the week?
- Photos of Each Recipe: Beautiful visuals to inspire
- Reusable Grocery List:Simplifies planning and shopping for stress-free meals
This post was all about our favorite homeschool Thanksgiving ideas for curriculum, resources, and fun!
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I just recently had the children choose a meal per week they then help make. They are loving it and are really excited to get to choose more complicated dishes this week while we have some down time. Sometimes, the best “curriculum” is just time doing life, traditions and meals together!
I love that! Such a great idea.