Are you looking for great Thanksgiving picture books for upper elementary? We all know that picture books are a treasure trove of learning opportunities. But, when I first started teaching, I did not understand the value of using picture books with upper elementary students. I have found over the years that picture books can be especially valuable in helping students engage with important themes. They can also help them practice key skills, and explore new perspectives, especially during the holiday season. Our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade kiddos are growing up fast! But, they’re never too old for a great story paired with beautiful illustrations. Using picture books consistently in your classroom will lead to deeper discussions. They will provide lessons that resonate with upper elementary students on multiple levels. Here are three of our most favorite Thanksgiving picture books and some ideas on how to use them in your classroom with your big kids.

Balloons Over Broadway

Balloons Over Broadway tells the fascinating story of Tony Sarg, the puppeteer behind the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons. I have found this book to be perfect for teaching students about biography as a genre while also exploring the history behind one of America’s beloved holiday traditions.

Teachable Moments

Biography and Nonfiction Text Features: One way I have used this book is to introduce or reinforce the elements of a biography. Have your students identify the key facts about Tony Sarg’s life and how those facts are presented in the text. Take this opportunity to have your big kids practice summarizing important details and understanding the structure of nonfiction.

Cause and Effect: Don’t pass up the opportunity to discuss with your class how Tony Sarg’s innovations led to the creation of the parade balloons we know today. Students can create cause-and-effect chains to show the sequence of events. This is also a great opportunity to have them complete a cause and effect graphic organizer of events from the text.

Creative Thinking: Have your students work in teams to design their own parade balloons. I have even had my kids walk around the room in a classroom parade showing off their amazing creations. When they are finished, they can write about what their balloon would look like, what materials it would be made of, and why it would be a great addition to the parade. This is also a great way to incorporate STEM into your classroom. If you’re interested, I have a Parade Balloon STEM design project that has been a big hit with my students! You can grab it HERE!

Thank You, Sarah

Thank You, Sarah is an absolute gem of a book to present to your kids in November. The book tells the inspiring story of Sarah Hale, the woman who campaigned to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. I have found that this book is a great way to teach students about persuasive writing as well as to teach and encourage persistence.

Teachable Moments

Persuasive Writing: Reading about Sarah Hale’s efforts provides the perfect opportunity to have students write their own persuasive letters about a cause they feel strongly about. They can use Hale’s letter-writing campaign as a model for their work. Talk with your kids about the elements of persuasive writing and why Sarah was so successful. You can even take the final draft of your students persuasive letters and create a class bulletin board. This allows all of the students to read about the issues their classmates are passionate about.

Women’s History: Obviously Women’s History Month is in March. But, when I read this book with my class, I don’t ever want to pass on the opportunity to discuss the role of women in history. Make sure to talk about how Sarah Hale’s determination made a lasting impact on American culture. I have even had my students research other influential women and share their findings.

Understanding Civic Action: This book ties so well into social studies and the importance of being a good citizen. Make sure to have a discussion with your kids about the importance of civic engagement and how every person has the potential to influence government decisions. In my classroom that has even lead to conversation about how they can be active citizens in their own community.

Thanksgiving With The Tappletons’

If you have never read Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’ with your kids, you are missing out! This is one of my favorites and I come back to it year after year! It is a humorous story about a family’s Thanksgiving dinner that goes hilariously wrong. Reading this book provides such an excellent chance to discuss themes of family, tradition, and problem-solving. This book is great for all ages and I am confident that you will enjoy this book as much as your upper elementary kids will.

Teachable Moments

Character Analysis: Have your students analyze the different members of the Tappleton family and talk with each other about how their personalities and actions contribute to the story’s events. This is a great way to delve into character traits and motivations. I have even had my students write their own original story that contained characters with similar personalities.

Sequencing and Retelling: After reading the book, have students sequence the events of the story and retell it in their own words. This helps kids not only with comprehension but it also reinforces their understanding of narrative structure. This is such a fun book to use to teach mini lessons on sequence of events.

Theme and Moral: Discuss the theme of the story—how Thanksgiving is about being together rather than having the perfect meal. Students can write about what Thanksgiving means to them and how they celebrate with their own families. I have had my kids brainstorm a list of themes and then write their own Thanksgiving story with that theme.

Using picture books in your upper elementary classroom during Thanksgiving is such a great way to engage students with meaningful lessons. These three books offer many opportunities to explore various skills. You can easily teach lessons on persuasive writing and character analysis, all within the spirit of the Thanksgiving season. If you’re looking for ready-to-use resources that align with these books, I highly recommend grabbing the any of my book companions for these picture books! These companions are packed with lessons and activities that make planning a breeze. Just print and go, and you’ll be ready to provide your students with a memorable and enriching Thanksgiving learning experience!

Save These Thanksgiving Picture Books for Upper Elementary

Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Make sure to save these Thanksgiving picture books for upper elementary ideas to your favorite Thanksgiving or November teaching ideas Pinterest board so that you will be able to easily access them when the time is right! We wish you the very best Thanksgiving and a holiday season filled with many blessings for you and your family!