Thanksgiving Beginning Sounds Game for Preschoolers

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Thanksgiving is coming and this Thanksgiving Beginning Sounds Game is the perfect literacy activity for November. It is also a good resource to add to your Thanksgiving Day theme.

This FREE literacy activity includes a spinner, a recording sheet, and 24 picture cards. It can be downloaded at the end of this post.

Thanksgiving Beginning Sounds Game

The best way to teach beginning sounds is by using fun hands-on activities, that keep children engaged and interested. This beginning sounds activity is easy to use and will help preschoolers develop multiple skills such as concentration, vocabulary, phonemic awareness, one-to-one correspondence, and fine motor skills.

This Thanksgiving Beginning Sounds Game can be used in many ways such as:

Small group activity.
Literacy center option.
Writing center activity.
Take-home activity.
Quiet area option.

How to Prepare and Use This Game

This easy-to-prep game only requires a handful of materials. These are:

Thanksgiving Beginning Sounds Game (FREE at the end of this post).
Printer.
White cardstock.
Laminator.
Laminator pouches.

Optional: dry-erase markers, mini erasers, Bingo chips, or any other small manipulative.

Print all the pages on white cardstock. Cut out the wheel and cards, and laminate everything for multiple uses. Use a brad fastener to attach the arrow to the wheel, then place the wheel and cards on a tray or basket, next to the recording sheet, and invite your preschoolers to join you to play.

It is better to introduce the game to your preschoolers and explain to them how to use it, first.

Your preschoolers have to turn the arrow on the wheel, say the sound of the letter where the arrow stopped, and find a card with a picture of an object that starts with that sound. Say the name of the object and then mark the object in the recording sheet with a dry-erase marker, a Thanksgiving mini eraser, a Bingo chip, or any other small manipulative.

I like to make several sets and place them in different centers, to entice the children and allow them to use this activity in different ways.

You can even use the cards during circle time to review the names of the objects that appear in each of them, count the syllables in each other, spell the words, and review the first letters and beginning sounds before you let them adventure on their own.

Extension Activities

To extend the activity you can:

Have the children trace or copy the letters.
Match each letter with plastic, wooden, or foam letters.
Find other words that start with the same sound.

Thanksgiving Storybooks

It is always important to add some quality storybooks to enhance any preschool theme, and to read them to your students during circle time and/or story time. Here are some of my favorites for Thanksgiving.

You can find them at your local library, used book store, and on Amazon. If you want to purchase some, just click on the titles which have my special affiliate links embedded in them, and will take you directly to their Amazon page.

The Story of the Pilgrims by Katharine Ross. This exciting book retells the story about the pilgrims’ voyage across the Atlantic to the first Thanksgiving feast, using colorful and beautiful illustrations, that will delight your young historians for sure.

Thanksgiving Is for Giving Thanks! by Sutherland. This book used simple text and colorful illustrations to introduce preschoolers to the joy of celebrating Thanksgiving with family and friends and to be thankful for everything and every day.

Little Critter: Just a Special Thanksgiving by Mercer Mayer. Little Critter, a lovely character, brings to life the Thanksgiving celebration with his family, as they give thanks during this holiday.

Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson. This book offers beautiful illustrations and playful text to tell the story of a Bear who has come up with a big dinner to celebrate family and friendship.

The Night Before Thanksgiving by Natasha Wing. This fun book tells the story of families getting together to prepare and enjoy a feast during Thanksgiving.

Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes. This book uses simple text and striking illustrations to remind kids and adults alike about the little details that make each day enjoyable, and a warm and genuine way to share the true Thanksgiving spirit.

Pin It for Later

If you don’t have time to download the game now but want to do it later, just pin it to one of your boards on Pinterest. Then check my other Thanksgiving activities, to add them to your collection. They all come with free printables and can be found below.

I hope you enjoy this Thanksgiving Beginning Sound Game, and help you celebrate this holiday with your preschoolers. Don’t forget to grab your FREE Thanksgiving Beginning Sounds Game, by clicking on the link below.

Be happy, safe, and creative. I wish you well.

Love,