What’s on your Thanksgiving plate?: Celebrating diversity in the classroom

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and togetherness, but it's also an opportunity to celebrate the variety of cultures that make up our classrooms. 

This year, challenge the stereotypical image of Thanksgiving with your class! Showcase diverse backgrounds, honor different experiences, and strengthen your classroom community to foster a sense of belonging for all. 

Here are 5 ideas to incorporate into your lesson plans this month:

1. What’s on Your Plate?:
   Have students create representations of their favorite foods to enjoy during Thanksgiving (or in general!) This can be done using drawings (such as in this KnowItAll resource), using pictures from magazines, or digitally (such as in this KnowItAll lesson).
   • Share out: Challenge students to find different foods on classmates’ plates that they’ve yet to experience.
   • Looking for a fun twist? Show this PBS video on what an astronaut’s Thanksgiving plate might look like.
      
     
      
2. Global Cuisine:
   • Research: Assign students to research traditional dishes from various cultures around the world.
   • Share stories: Encourage them to share the history and significance of these dishes.
   • Taste test: If possible, organize a potluck where students can bring in a dish from their cultural heritage to share with the class. Note: You may need to clarify store-bought or restaurant-prepared requirements. Always check for food allergies.
   • Bonus round: Collaborative Cookbook - Compile a class cookbook featuring recipes from the potluck and other Thanksgiving dishes from different cultures.
      
3. Gratitude Lists:
   • Elementary: Check out this PBS LearningMedia lesson. Have students create gratitude turkeys to show what they’re thankful for this year.
   • Secondary: Check out this KnowItAll resource. Have students list out what they’re thankful for using the acrostic ‘THANKSGIVING’.
      
4. Thanksgiving Around the World - Cultural Presentations:
   • Research projects: Assign students to research a specific culture and create a presentation.
   • Share findings: They can share their findings through a poster, a short skit, or a PowerPoint presentation.
   • Discussion: Encourage class discussion to learn from each other and appreciate the diversity of cultures.
      
5. Community Outreach:
   • Volunteer opportunities: Connect with local organizations that serve diverse communities.
   • Give back: Organize a service project to give back to the community.
   • Cultural exchange: Encourage students to interact with people from different cultures and learn about their experiences.

By embracing the diverse backgrounds of your students this Thanksgiving, you can create a richer and more inclusive learning experience. Moving beyond the traditional narrative allows students to see themselves reflected in the curriculum, promoting a sense of connection and fellowship. Instead of focusing solely on a single story, encourage students to explore the diverse ways Thanksgiving is celebrated and understood across different cultures. By cultivating a classroom environment that celebrates diversity, you empower your students to become informed, engaged, and responsible global citizens.