How to Host a Virtual Thanksgiving Party
Here we are, in November. Two months left of 2020, and things sure don’t look the way I thought they would!
A couple of weeks back, I shared about my Virtual Halloween Party, and how it can be the perfect solution to a no-contact, but festive holiday party. I want to share the same with you all this week for my Digital Thanksgiving Party!
This set of digital games and activities is great for either teaching in person, or through a computer screen. In the following steps, I will talk about how to adapt for either teaching situation!
How to Throw a Virtual Thanksgiving Party
Step One: Invite Students
Ok, so the kids are going to be there anyways, right? It’s a school day. But, I believe in setting the stage and building anticipation, and sending an invitation just like it’s any outside-of-school party is a great way to get your kids really excited! You can choose to take a virtual invitation and email it out, or post it to your Google Classroom. Or, you can go so far as to print and mail them a few days in advance! If you are teaching in person, you can slip the invitations into folders or backpacks before students go home. Then, your students’ families will be able to help them get excited!
Step Two: Decorate!
I think that decorations for a Thanksgiving party can be fairly minimal, but still make an impact, which makes it even easier. If you’re teaching virtually, you only need to create some sort of backdrop. Something like this bulletin board/door decor set would be perfect!
If you have students in class, I think something simple like brown or white butcher paper on desks and tables with centerpieces of school supplies would be so cute!
Step Three: Plan your Activities
Read alouds, and writing prompts are all easy to make Thanksgiving themed for a special day, but I like to take it a step further and plan an activity or two that my students wouldn’t typically get to do.
For example, a Thanksgiving-themed “Price is Right” game is a great way to practice estimating skills, while sticking to a theme of food fun! Setting aside some time for a little directed drawing of a turkey is a great, out-of-the-box activity, too!
Step Four: Play Some Games!
What is a party without games? Some digital games are the perfect thing to project on your screen (or SMART Board) and let students play! Quick games can make great brain breaks in between a full day’s worth of academics, and make the whole day feel special, or save all of the games for one chunk of time during your party day!
Step Five: Share What You’re Thankful For!
Of course, a Thanksgiving celebration is made best when you take a little time to share what you are most thankful for! Be sure to carve out a few minutes of your celebration to share with your students why you are thankful to be their teacher, and let them go around the room and share their own things that they are grateful for this year!
What if I don’t have time to make games and invitations myself?
You’re in luck! I have pre-made slides and digital games prepped and ready to go in my Digital Thanksgiving Fun Fridays Pack. There is enough content in this pack to create a really fun party for your students. And my hope is that purchasing a pack like this takes a lot of stress off of your plate!
