Art
Look through The Providence Journal for ads that catch your attention. Find at least four examples of ads that you like. Why are the ads so enticing? Create a list of what made the ad stand out? Was it the use of a border, the amount of white space, the use of color? Now, look through the newspaper and find at least 10 example (words, phrases, photos or graphics) of things you are thankful this season. Create a Thanksgiving collage, employing some of the techniques you liked in your chosen advertisements; you may want to replicate the concept of the ad in your collage

Geography
The college football season is winding down. Look through this week's Sports sections and find information about at least three college football teams that will be playing during the Thanksgiving weekend. If you wanted to visit all three cities where the games would be played, what would be the smartest route to take and in what order would you want to
visit? (Assume you'll be traveling by car.) Using a United States map, calculate how many miles you'd travel. What geographical features would you cross on your path (i.e. rivers, mountain ranges, deserts, etc.)? Find the latitude and longitude of each city in your list. What states are represented in your list? What regions? Use the weather map in today's Providence Journal to describe the probable weather in each of your chosen cities at this time of year. What would you need to pack?

History
While the first Thanksgiving in America was celebrated by the Pilgrims and Native Americans, the actual holiday was not celebrated until Abraham Lincoln's presidency. Research the origin of the national holiday and how the celebration has changed over time. What myths do we have about the first Thanksgiving? What do we know for a fact? Besides declaring national holidays, what are the other roles of a president? Search the front section of The Providence Journal for stories that mention President Bush or President-elect Barack Obama. Do this activity every day this week and make a chart of how many references you found.

Language Arts
Thanksgiving is a holiday seeped in tradition. For example, every November, a Presidential pardon is issued to save a turkey from becoming Thanksgiving dinner; the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade is always televised live from New York City Thanksgiving morning. Find examples of other Thanksgiving traditions mentioned in today's Providence Journal. Choose one Thanksgiving tradition and write a persuasive essay (including an introduction, body and conclusion) on whether the tradition should be kept or eliminated. Your essay should include your opinions, but should also be backed up with facts and statistics (either found in the newspaper, online or in your library).

Mathematics
You've been assigned to make the Thanksgiving feast at your house this year, using only $50. Since this is your Thanksgiving feast, you're welcome to be creative in what you cook. Decide on a main course, at least two side dishes and a dessert. Use ads to determine the following: 1) The total cost to purchase the ingredients needed, including the appropriate sales tax, and the percentage of your funds that will be spent on each item in your meal. Can you feed your family for $50? How would your choices change if your budget was doubled? Tripled?

Music
Create a song that will establish Thanksgiving as a musical holiday! Clip out at least 10 headlines and divide them into their parts of speech (noun, verb, adjective, adverb, etc.). Your goal is to create a Thanksgiving song that incorporates only the words you've cut out (you do NOT have to use all the words you've clipped, but you cannot use any words you haven't!). Use any familiar tune to set your words to music, and share with the class.

Newspaper Knowledge
Write the word T-H-A-N-K-S-G-I-V-I-N-G down the left-hand portion of a plain piece of paper. Look through the newspaper to find examples of articles, advertising and/or photos that begin with each letter. Write a phrase to describe the word's significance to today's news and identify where in the newspaper you found it.

Science and Health
Many fitness clubs and weight-loss programs encourage people not to overindulge during the holidays. But, because it always happens, those same organizations count on increasing their membership after the New Year! Develop a strategy to help your family avoid gaining weight this holiday season. Use grocery ads to design a healthier menu for your family's holiday meals. Also look in today's newspaper for physical activities your family can enjoy together during your vacation.

Social Studies
Different people celebrate Thanksgiving in different ways. Look through today's newspaper to find ways that area groups and families are celebrating the holiday throughout our region and throughout America. Other countries and cultures celebrate harvest festivals. Research harvest festivals celebrated outside of the
United States.

Just for fun
Go on a newspaper scavenger hunt for the following Thanksgiving-related items:
1) A food that you'd like to eat for Thanksgiving;
2) A place you'd like to visit during Thanksgiving;
3) Something that you are thankful this year;
4) Information about a Thanksgiving-related event in your town;
5) Someone who has reason to be thankful this year;
6) The word "thanks" or "Thanksgiving";
7) A symbol of Thanksgiving (example: turkey, cornucopia)
8) The thing in today's news that you think the first Thanksgiving guests would be surprised by the most.

 Tags  Thanksgiving

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