Showing Thankfulness for Book Talk Thursday

Thanksgiving has always been a time for showing our gratitude for all we have, but what happens when we just don't feel it? Emily Ann shows us how in Thanksgiving for Emily Ann.

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Each year I spend the days before Thanksgiving reading some of my favorite Thanksgiving books with my students. We read the book, discuss it, and use it in an activity of sorts. My first graders always enjoy books that have rhyming and a good message. I chose Thanksgiving for Emily Ann {affiliate link} by Teresa Johnston to them as we enter into this Thanksgiving season.

Book Summary 


This book is perfect for teaching young children (and older children) what being thankful really means.  In the book Emily Ann thinks that Thanksgiving is no fun because everyone is rushing around and not paying attention to her.  She just wants to play and enjoy the day.  But her mom asks her to do one little thing to help out, and it all seems to come together for Emily Ann.  When all of her family arrives, she realizes what it means to truly be thankful.

Classroom Application

The book is full of rhyme, which is a great way to enhance instruction in this area. But I think there is so much more to this book. After reading it to my first graders, we discussed how Emily Ann felt throughout the book and how she changed her feelings. It will help students of all ages to realize that characters do change throughout a story, just as people can too. 

Thanksgiving for Emily Ann {affiliate link} helps children see that no matter how we feel, we have so much to be thankful for.  This important lessons spans all grade levels and ages of children. Even adults can learn a lot from Emily Ann.

I wish all you, my readers, a wonderful Thanksgiving! We all have so much to be thankful for, and I am thankful I can share my ideas with you. 

Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving has always been a time for showing our gratitude for all we have, but what happens when we just don't feel it? Emily Ann shows us how in Thanksgiving for Emily Ann.

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