When we think November, most of us think Thanksgiving. From a virtual field trip at Plymouth Rock to trussed up turkeys, Scholastic has you covered. Take off with National Aviation History Month and all things flight. After the presidential election November 8, turn your attention to patriotism and honoring our veterans. Then step back in time to the First Thanksgiving and visit with Wampanoag and Pilgrim children. Wrap up with all things turkey from crafts to thematic lessons. Just feeling crafty? Log onto Scholastic’s November Crafts to get started. Check Scholastic’s Planning Calendar to link to all the other fun and educational events in November.
National Aviation History Month | The Election | Veterans Day | Thanksgiving
National Aviation History Month is dedicated to honoring and exploring all things American aviation. Check out inventions from the Wright brothers to gyroscopes and lunar rovers. Get to know famous aviators such as the mysterious Amelia Earhart or Steve Fossett, both disappearing without a trace. Read an aviation classic, like The Wizard of Oz, while you explore the history of hot air balloons. There’s endless math, science, and engineering standards to explore. Get ready to blast off all month long.
The Election
November is always a great time to talk about elections, but a year with a presidential race is special indeed. Help students understand the election process and learn about presidents of the past. Host your own class or school election and read all the latest Scholastic News with kids reporting from the front lines. Don’t let the learning end on election day, find resources to keep history alive from now to Presidents' Day.
November 11 was created the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month marking the end of World War I in 1918. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson honored the end of the war with the first “Armistice Day” to honor living and fallen veterans of the war. By 1926, the day was made official and in 1932, November 11 was set aside as a national holiday and 1938 saw a name change to the Veteran’s Day we know today. Teach students to honor those that have served our country by investigating the armed forces, history of our American wars, and celebrating patriotism.
Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in October, but it is the highlight of November here in the United States. The fourth Thursday of November has been a national holiday since sometime around 1621, but it wasn’t until 1941 when President Roosevelt set the date we all know today. It’s unclear exactly how old celebrations of thanksgiving are, but as early as the 1500s in England thanksgiving feasts and fasting days were both popular.
Today, Thanksgiving means a time of family, food, football, turkey, and the kickoff of the holiday season for many Americans, but you can take a trip back to the very First Thanksgiving and visit Wampanoag and Pilgrim villages right from your classroom with Scholastic’s extensive First Thanksgiving website. Sign up by November 2 to receive letters from a Wampanoag and Pilgrim child. Then jump into all the fun and festivities the season has to offer.
November holidays provide countless opportunities to build classroom community and dive into the deep and rich history of our country. Celebrate accordingly!
