Elementary librarians are always on the hunt for, not only, new books to read-aloud, but for those activities that will extend those new books! Well, look no further. Here are some of my favorite November books with a few ideas of activities to pair with them.
Perfect for the Week after Thanksgiving
Fangsgiving by Ethan Long is the PERFECT book to use the first week of November. Carry over a little Halloween spookiness and sprinkle in some Thanksgiving, and you have this funny story. A family of monsters prepare for a quirky “fangsgiving” dinner, only to face mishaps and mayhem. The dishes have umm … questionable ingredients, the turkey runs away, and the cranberry sauce oozes. Yet, in the end, they realize that what really matters is friends and family.
Monstrous Menus: Assign small groups of students traditional Thanksgiving side dishes and ask them to “fang” them up with their own questionable ingredients. Have them share their side dishes with others and see what kind of a meal that they end up with!
My All-time Favorite Scarecrow Story
Seriously … one of my favorites! This heartwarming story about a scarecrow pulls at your heartstrings from beginning to end. “He never rests. He never bends. He’s never had a single friend.” Do you feel the pull? Right! Then a baby crow falls near his feet, and his whole world changes. He now has the strangest friend, but what will happen when the season ends and the crow myst fly south. Will he lose the best thing that’s ever happened to him?
Compare or Contrast: Have students watch The Lonely Scarecrow (click the title for the link). It’s perfect for discussing similarities and differences in stories. Use this opportunity to talk about how videos are also either fiction or nonfiction. Then, follow up the lesson with this How to Draw a Scarecrow video. (click the title for the link)
Honor Those Soldier's Who Have Fallen
A young boy named Gavin visits the Arlington National Cemetery and is deeply moved by the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Both educational and heartfelt, this book explains the significance and the solemnity of this ritual. It underscores the importance of honoring and remembering those who have sacrificed their lives for their country.
This tribute book is best used with older students (probably those in grades four and five). The vocabulary and cadence is mature, yet the story is worth telling.
Create Thank You Cards: Too often, our kids think that Veteran’s Day is little more than another day off. Explain the significance of veteran’s in our history. Explain that there are local organizations like the VFW where veterans gather together. Have the students make cards for members of these organization.
November is also Native American Heritage Month
The Rough-Face girl is a Native American twist on the classic Cinderella story. The story revolves around a young girl, often referred to as the “Rough-Face Girl,” who lives with her two cruel sisters and endures hardship. She is scarred from the embers of a fire and considered unattractive by her community.
Ultimately, the Rough-Face Girl’s kind and humble nature captures the Invisible Being’s heart, and she becomes a radiant, beautiful young woman. The story conveys a powerful message about the importance of inner beauty, self-identity, and the strength to overcome adversity.
