October Topic: Thanksgiving!

It's that special time of the year again when many Canadians celebrate THANKSGIVING - a time for giving thanks for the bountiful harvest and for all the other blessings in life. Even as Canadians take part in roasting turkeys and baking pumpkin pies, people in America are celebrating COLUMBUS DAY - a day for commemorating one of the first European travellers, Christopher Columbus, and his arrival to the New World in 1492. In other parts of the world, countries have been busy with their own HARVEST FESTIVALS  to celebrate all the successful harvests on their land. No matter what part of the world you're in, this time of the year provides ESL students with a bit of history and a lot of vocabulary!  >>>

WARM UP CONVERSATION QUESTIONS by ESL MADE EASY:

1. Do you celebrate Thanksgiving in your country? If so, what are some special symbols and traditions?
2. In some countries, a Harvest Festival is celebrated. What do you think this means and why do you think it's an important time of the year for farmers? Businesses? Consumers?

3. Thanksgiving is generally a time to give thanks for all the blessings in your life. What are some things you are thankful for?

4. Thanksgiving is a time for families to come together and share a  special meal. What other times of year do families get together around the world? Why is it that family get-togethers are often times of joy and times of stress?

RECOMMENDED LINKS FOR ESL STUDENTS ON THE TOPIC OF THANKSGIVING by ESL MADE EASY:

ABC Teach: A PDF reading on the First Thanksgiving with comprehension questions
Teach-Nology: Comprehension worksheet on Thanksgiving
My English Pages: Reading and comprehension about Thanksgiving
ESL Free Press: Canadian Thanksgiving easy reading with pictures
YouTube: Thanksgiving History EFL 

Ezine Articles: Ten Things to Know Before Your First Thanksgiving in Canada
Canada-ESL: Thanksgiving reading and vocabulary with questions
Pearson Adult Learning Centre: Reading about Canadian Thanksgiving with activities
ESLPodcast: Thanksgiving Dinner 

ESOL Course: Thanksgiving activities and worksheets
Scholastic: The First Thanksgiving - The Pilgrim Timeline 

Thanksgiving Day Org: Thanksgiving celebrations in the UK and other countries

Bogglesworld ESL: Thanksgiving worksheets and activities - Canadian and American 

EL Civics: Thanksgiving picture vocabulary lesson with follow up activities - American

ESL Holiday Lessons: Columbus Day reading and follow up activities - American

EL Civics: Columbus Day picture vocabulary lesson with follow up activities - American

The Free Dictionary: Turkey Idioms
Suite IO: Exercise for using Thanksgiving idioms
ITESLJ: Conversation questions about Thanksgiving
Poem Source: Thanksgiving Poems
Busy Teacher: Thanksgiving Worksheets   - Paid Membership