No Time For Flash Cards

preschool activities, preschool crafts, and preschool books.

  • Blog
  • About
    • Terms Of Use
    • Disclaimer
    • Holiday Gift Guide For Kids
    • Advertise
    • In The Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Bloglovin
  • Preschool Activities
  • crafts for kids
    Preschool Crafts
  • Preschool Books
  • sensory alphabet activity
    Letters & Numbers
  • For Teachers
  • Toddlers
  • Preschool
  • Kindergarten
  • Elementary

November 6, 2013 | 20 Comments

Thanksgiving Spelling Activity For Kids

thanksgiving lesson Who says spelling lessons have to be boring and can’t have a theme? These spelling stones are a fun Thanksgiving craft and spelling activity rolled into one. Create a challenge by asking ” How many words can we make with the word Thanksgiving?” and use your child’s natural competitiveness as fuel for learning. The stones themselves are a great concrete manipulative that are a must for some learners and a nice novelty for others. I have had the idea for this for ages but making the stones seemed daunting. It took a few minutes and less than an hour later my son was playing and learning. Wish I’d done it sooner!

Gather your materials. You will need some stones ( dollar store! ) , multi-surface paint , a fine paint brush, clipboard, paper, and pencil.spelling stones

Start by writing out thanksgiving on the stones. I used all lowercase letters so they would be interchangeable. I also made a color pattern but that’s just because I think patterns are pretty. I used a shoebox lid for a workspace. These paints are not washable so I like to protect what I can. Also the kids did not help make these. spelling stones painting

Let dry. Ours took about 45 minutes to dry. Only one letter got damaged. If you are using these with a large group where they will be used a lot I would seal them but if it’s just in your home I wouldn’t bother.spelling stones ready to play

Lay out the stones. Explain the challenge. spelling stones for thanksgivingHow many words can be made with the letters in this word. spelling stones for first grade and kindergarten

What I love about using manipulatives to make words before writing them down is that when he was sounding out words he didn’t get frustrated if something didn’t seem right. He just replaced a stone with another. There was no erasing needed and for kids who have a deep desire for perfection that can be freeing.

Have your child write the word after making it with the stones. This is optional but I like adding in writing whenever I can. All my sneaking writing into things have really paid off. My son who struggled with it last year has made such progress in part because of a little here and a little there. Seeing the list grow and grow also encourages kids to keep trying to create more words.spelling stones words

This won’t be the last of these stones either… hang tight because in a few days I will have a totally different but totally fun activity using them again.

j

Thanksgiving Books

All book lists include affiliate links.

pete the cat thanksgiving

Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving by Kimberly and James Dean was underwhelming and I usually adore Pete The Cat. Sadly this book didn’t live up to my expectations. My daughter liked it but wondered when Pete was going to sing. He doesn’t. There are no catchy repetitive refrains which is what we love about Pete! My son pointed out the flaws in the history which thrilled me because they were distracting. The target audience is younger than my son so it may not even be an issue for you but seeing a pretty little house as the shelter the Pilgrims had for the first winter irked me. I realize that Pete is a cat who is in a play so realism isn’t expected but I’d be lying if I said I loved it. Pete is awfully cute as a pilgrim though.

thanks for thanksgiving

Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes delighted my whole family. I read it at dinner and all four of us thought the book was spot on. It’s not a story so much as a glimpse at all the things kids in a average family have to be thankful about. The illustrations by Doris Barrette are stunning. I want to frame them. I think this book does a great job at teaching children what they have to be thankful for and how everyday things can be something to be thankful for. Kids will relate so well to this book and because of that the message comes across loud and clear. My son loved that there is space on the last page to write what he is thankful for. Great find.

Filed Under: Age: Elementary, Age: Kindergarten, Letters & Numbers, Spelling, Thanksgiving | 20 Comments

Like this post? Share it with a friend!

Become an Email Subscriber

Sign up above and receive all new No Time for Flashcards posts directly in your email inbox.

You may also like these posts

Next Post: 14 Fractured Fairy Tales
Previous Post: Turkey Craft Ideas For Kids

20 Comments

  1. Stacy @ Share&Remember says

    November 7, 2013 at 6:53 am

    These are great! On my list to do… I can’t believe how big your son is! I still picture him as little. 😉

    to Stacy @ Share&Remember" aria-label='reply to this comment to Stacy @ Share&Remember'>reply to this comment
    • Allison McDonald says

      November 7, 2013 at 7:46 am

      Thanks! I still see him as little too. He’ll be 7 soon !

      to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment
  2. Natalie F says

    November 7, 2013 at 8:17 am

    Love it. We played the same game with Bananagrams 🙂

    to Natalie F" aria-label='reply to this comment to Natalie F'>reply to this comment
  3. Jodie @ Growing Book by Book says

    November 7, 2013 at 10:08 am

    What a fun way to practice spelling words. We also love the book Thanks for Thanksgiving!

    to Jodie @ Growing Book by Book" aria-label='reply to this comment to Jodie @ Growing Book by Book'>reply to this comment
  4. Amber says

    November 8, 2013 at 5:57 am

    Brilliant! Your rocks are perfect.

    to Amber" aria-label='reply to this comment to Amber'>reply to this comment
  5. Maura says

    November 8, 2013 at 7:08 am

    Great idea!

    to Maura" aria-label='reply to this comment to Maura'>reply to this comment
  6. Rhonda Griswold says

    November 9, 2013 at 9:00 am

    Great idea for my homework club grades 1-2 for after-school program. And I can use them all year round for all sorts of holidays and spelling program… Thanks.

    to Rhonda Griswold" aria-label='reply to this comment to Rhonda Griswold'>reply to this comment
  7. Emily @ imperfect says

    November 10, 2013 at 6:41 pm

    Ugh, we just got Pete the Cat The First Thanksgiving last week and I’m similarly underwhelmed. And feeling a bit like I don’t want my young kids to think that IS the history. I think we’ll call it an $8 failure and pass it along instead of keeping it in our home. I’ll check out Thanks for Thanksgiving instead!

    to Emily @ imperfect" aria-label='reply to this comment to Emily @ imperfect'>reply to this comment
  8. commonplaceiris says

    November 14, 2013 at 6:46 am

    I love this idea.
    I’m now thinking that it might also be fun to make themed sets of stones for writing poems (along the lines of the fridge poetry magnet sets). My 7yo did an after school poetry class last year which she really enjoyed but has to be prompted to remember she enjoys writing poems. Maybe chalkboard paint on a few stones for blanks to keep options open. And a poetry notebook for writing out finished poems.

    to commonplaceiris" aria-label='reply to this comment to commonplaceiris'>reply to this comment
    • Allison McDonald says

      November 14, 2013 at 9:19 am

      I know I am heading to the dollar store for more today… I have so many ideas!!

      to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment
  9. JenniferDHS says

    November 7, 2015 at 2:46 am

    What a great post! I’ve created a Thanksgiving Link Up to build a resource of learning and fun for educators, homeschoolers, and parents. I’d love for you to add this and any other Thanksgiving posts you have: http://www.dearhomeschooler.com/theme-thanksgiving

    to JenniferDHS" aria-label='reply to this comment to JenniferDHS'>reply to this comment

Trackbacks

  1. Word Scavenger Hunt with Spelling Stones - No Time For Flash Cards says:
    November 13, 2013 at 11:25 pm

    […] week when I published our Thanksgiving Spelling Stones I promised that I had another simple activity to do with the stones. This is it. It was a rainy day […]

    to Word Scavenger Hunt with Spelling Stones - No Time For Flash Cards" aria-label='reply to this comment to Word Scavenger Hunt with Spelling Stones - No Time For Flash Cards'>reply to this comment
  2. Unique Spelling Activities For Kids » Playtivities.com says:
    February 4, 2014 at 2:55 am

    […] 4. Play with Spelling Stones. […]

    to Unique Spelling Activities For Kids » Playtivities.com" aria-label='reply to this comment to Unique Spelling Activities For Kids » Playtivities.com'>reply to this comment
  3. Thanksgiving Activities for Families | Children's Scholarship Fund Baltimore says:
    November 3, 2014 at 9:21 am

    […] Thanksgiving Spelling Stones […]

    to Thanksgiving Activities for Families | Children's Scholarship Fund Baltimore" aria-label='reply to this comment to Thanksgiving Activities for Families | Children's Scholarship Fund Baltimore'>reply to this comment
  4. File it Friday: Turkey Snack Bags, Chai Mix + More | How to Have it All says:
    November 14, 2014 at 8:31 am

    […] Spelling Stones: This is so simple but a great tool for teaching! Simply use stones to write letters on to spell out Thanksgiving. Then you can challenge the kids to make up different words. This would be a great activity to entertain kids on Thanksgiving day! […]

    to File it Friday: Turkey Snack Bags, Chai Mix + More | How to Have it All" aria-label='reply to this comment to File it Friday: Turkey Snack Bags, Chai Mix + More | How to Have it All'>reply to this comment
  5. Thanksgiving Activities Early Learners Will Love | waterford says:
    December 11, 2015 at 1:50 pm

    […] Spelling Stones – This activity is a Thanksgiving craft and spelling practice “rolled into one.” After students spell out […]

    to Thanksgiving Activities Early Learners Will Love | waterford" aria-label='reply to this comment to Thanksgiving Activities Early Learners Will Love | waterford'>reply to this comment
  6. 6 idee prese in rete per... giocare con i sassi | says:
    April 17, 2016 at 4:20 am

    […] Giocare con le lettere […]

    to 6 idee prese in rete per... giocare con i sassi |" aria-label='reply to this comment to 6 idee prese in rete per... giocare con i sassi |'>reply to this comment
  7. 100+ Thanksgiving Crafts and Activities for Kids — modernmami™ says:
    November 28, 2016 at 8:47 am

    […] All Kids Network Pinecone Turkey from One Creative Mommy Pony Bead Indian Corn from Think Crafts Thanksgiving Spelling Stones from No Time for Flashcards Thanksgiving Turkey Cone from Surviving a Teacher’s Salary […]

    to 100+ Thanksgiving Crafts and Activities for Kids — modernmami™" aria-label='reply to this comment to 100+ Thanksgiving Crafts and Activities for Kids — modernmami™'>reply to this comment
  8. Rock painting craft ideas with pebbles and stones - Craftionary says:
    April 14, 2020 at 3:20 pm

    […] Spelling activity for kids via No Time For Flash Cards. […]

    to Rock painting craft ideas with pebbles and stones - Craftionary" aria-label='reply to this comment to Rock painting craft ideas with pebbles and stones - Craftionary'>reply to this comment

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search For Activities

Now In Paperback!

Buy NOW

All Activities

Become an Email Subscriber

Sign up above and receive all new No Time for Flash Cards posts directly in your email inbox.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Bloglovin

Copyright © 2008-2023 • No Time For Flash Cards - ACM Media LLC • Site Design by Emily White Designs