Story telling seems to go hand in hand with childhood. I absolutely love hearing kids tell stories. So I provided each of my students with an opportunity to tell me a story about a Thanksgiving they’ve experienced. After we write our stories down, I randomly draw a few student numbers (mine are on Popsicle sticks) and those students have the chance to share their story with the class (under the document camera) if they want. Here are the 2 versions of the free PDF worksheet (one with a picture space, and one without):
Thanksgiving Memories – draw own picture
Thanksgiving Memories – with picture
Turns out cursive is really good for your brain! 
I don’t know about you, but most times when I’m in a workshop or meeting and I’m given a handout, I instinctively write my name in the top right corner. You may laugh, but that’s the kind of automatic thing we want our students to do! I saw this idea on 
I know we’re not anywhere near Mother’s Day, but I wanted to share it with you while I had some time. I love those pages where kids write about their parents! They’re so sweet (and often hysterical!). I researched questions often found on these forms and made one with my favorite questions. Here you go:
Here’s a friendly letter template I put together recently. It would be perfect to use for Grandparents Day, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. This could be nice final copy paper for your students’ letters. Or it could be for any letter… a thank you letter, a pen pal letter, you name it. It’s pretty basic. Enjoy!
Sometimes publishing a writing assignment on a special piece of paper adds some extra incentive and interest. Here’s a simple printable you can use for the final publishing step of a friendly letter assignment. Or if your kids like the idea of “from the desk of” letterhead, have them design their own.
Squarehead Teachers 