Thanksgiving day( A celebration of Gratitude)

 

 

 

 

Конспект

виховного  заходу з англійської мови

На  тему  “ Thanksgiving Day ” (A Celebration of Gratitude)

проведеного у 9 класі Хмельницького ліцею № 4 імені Павла Жука

 

 

 

Дата проведення:09.10.2025

Конспект затвердив:_______

вчитель класу Ковбич О.П.

 

 

 

 

Хмельницький – 2025

 

Мета:

навчальна: ознайомити учнів з історією, культурою та традиціями святкування Дня Подяки (Thanksgiving Day) у США; активізувати тематичну лексику.

розвивальна: розвивати навички аудіювання, читання та говоріння на основі вивченого матеріалу; розвивати критичне мислення та пам’ять.

виховна: виховувати почуття вдячності, поваги до сімейних цінностей, традицій народу, мова якого вивчається, та толерантне ставлення до культури інших націй.

Обладнання: ноутбук, проектор, відеозапис, картки з тематичною лексикою (індичка, пілігрим, качалка кукурудзи, гарбузовий пиріг), роздруківки з текстом "The First Thanksgiving", паперове дерево "The Gratitude Tree", кольорові стікери-листочки.

Plan

1. Introduction
2.  II. Main part

1. Warm-up: Vocabulary game “Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt”
2. Listening: Video “The History of Thanksgiving”
3. Reading task “The First Thanksgiving Feast” + True/False
4. Speaking task: “The Gratitude Tree” (Writing and sharing what they are thankful for)
5. Interactive Quiz: Wordwall “Thanksgiving Day Quiz”

 III. Summing-up

 

I. Introduction Teacher: Good morning, everyone! Today, we are going to explore a very special American holiday celebrated every November — Thanksgiving Day. It is a wonderful holiday about history, family, and, most importantly, gratitude. We will learn new words, watch a video about the first Thanksgiving, and find out what we are thankful for in our lives. Are you ready for a celebration of gratitude? Students: Yes! Teacher: Let’s begin with a warm-up activity!

II. Main Part

1. Warm-up: Vocabulary Game “Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt” Aim:

To introduce and activate core Thanksgiving vocabulary. Material: Cards with pictures of a turkey, pilgrim, pumpkin pie, Mayflower ship, cornucopia, etc.

Teacher: I have pictures of traditional Thanksgiving items hidden around the classroom. You will find them and, using the clues on the back, guess the word. (The teacher models the activity, e.g., points to a card) Teacher (Clue): “It is the main dish on the Thanksgiving table. It’s a big bird.” Expected Answer: Turkey!

Expected vocabulary: Turkey, Pilgrim, Feast, Mayflower, Pumpkin Pie, Autumn, Gratitude, Corn.

 Feedback: Excellent job! You found all the words we need for our lesson today!

2. Listening: Video “The History of Thanksgiving” Aim: To learn the historical background of the holiday.

Teacher: Now let’s watch a short video about the real story of Thanksgiving. Pay attention to the two groups of people involved and what they did together.

(Using the link and showing it on the laptop or projector) Link: The Real Story Of Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving 2022 | The Dr Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz

After watching:

Who were the Pilgrims?

What was the name of their ship? (The Mayflower)

Who helped the Pilgrims learn how to grow food? (Native Americans/Wampanoag tribe, specifically Squanto)

What was the reason for the first Thanksgiving celebration? (A successful harvest.) Feedback: Wonderful! It seems you understood the key historical points.

2. Reading task: “The First Thanksgiving Feast” + True/False Aim: Develop reading comprehension and reinforce factual knowledge.

 Material: Printed text about the 1621 feast

The First Thanksgiving Feast (

In 1620, a group of people called the Pilgrims arrived in North America after sailing across the ocean on a ship named the Mayflower. They settled in a place they called Plymouth (in modern-day Massachusetts).

The first winter was incredibly harsh, and nearly half of the Pilgrims died due to illness and lack of food. When spring arrived, they received vital help from the Native American Wampanoag tribe. A member of the tribe, named Squanto, became their interpreter and taught them how to plant corn and how to fish and hunt. This knowledge was essential for their survival.

In the autumn of 1621, the Pilgrims had a successful harvest. To celebrate and give thanks for their survival and the plentiful food, they decided to organize a three-day feast. They invited their Wampanoag friends, including their chief, Massasoit.

Historians say the menu included deer (venison), wild fowl (ducks and geese), corn, and squash. This shared meal of gratitude is traditionally considered the "First Thanksgiving." It was a time to express thankfulness for their blessings and the peace they had found.

 

Teacher: Now, let’s read a short text about the first Thanksgiving dinner. You will read it silently, and then we will check your understanding with a quick True or False quiz.

Post-reading activity: True/False

1 The Pilgrims sailed to America on a ship called the Mayflower. – True

2 The Pilgrims were immediately successful in growing food when they first arrived. – False (They needed help).

3  Squanto taught the Pilgrims how to build houses. – False (He taught them to plant corn and fish).

4  The first Thanksgiving was celebrated because they had a good harvest. – True

5The original feast lasted only one day. – False (It lasted three days).

Feedback: You did an amazing job! You understood the text very well!

4. Speaking task: “The Gratitude Tree” Aim: Develop speaking skills and foster a sense of gratitude and reflection. Material: A large drawing/poster of a tree without leaves, and small colorful sticky notes (leaves).

Teacher: Thanksgiving is about gratitude. Now, let’s make our own "Gratitude Tree." Think about things in your life that you are thankful for – your family, your friends, your health, your hobbies, or even just today's good weather.

Instruction:

1. Write one thing you are grateful for on a sticky "leaf." (Example: I am thankful for my English teacher.)
2. Come up to the board, read your statement aloud, and stick your leaf onto the tree.

Guiding questions:

•         Why is this person/thing important to you?
•         How does it make your life better? Feedback: Look at our beautiful tree! Sharing your gratitude is the best part of Thanksgiving. Your words were sincere and thoughtful.

5. Interactive Quiz: Wordwall “Thanksgiving Day Quiz” Aim: Revise and reinforce facts and vocabulary from the lesson in a fun, competitive way.

Teacher: It’s time to test your knowledge with a fun interactive quiz! Open the link and answer the questions about Thanksgiving facts.

 Link: Thanksgiving day - Quiz - Wordwall (Students answer questions like: When is Thanksgiving celebrated? What was the name of their ship? What is the traditional dish?)

Feedback: You’re real Thanksgiving experts! Your memory is excellent.

III. Summing-up Teacher: You were amazing today! We learned a lot about Thanksgiving — its history, traditions, and the importance of being grateful. I’m proud of your participation and enthusiasm.

Teacher: Now, please take a moment to look at your neighbor's "Gratitude Leaf" on the tree. Please tell them one thing you admire about their answer.

Final words: Thank you for your great work and positive energy! Don’t forget to practice gratitude every day. Happy Thanksgiving!