Spice Up Your ELA Lessons This November with a Thanksgiving Figurative Language Menu!
As the holiday season approaches, classrooms start buzzing with anticipation—and sometimes, that pre-break energy can make lessons a bit extra lively. If you’re looking for a way to channel all that excitement into meaningful learning, you’re going to love this Thanksgiving Figurative Language Menu writing activity!
Designed for grades 3–6, this festive project blends creative writing, humor, and figurative language review—all wrapped up in a Thanksgiving theme your students will eat right up. From crafting silly similes to whipping up mouthwatering metaphors, students become “figurative language chefs” as they plan and write their very own holiday-themed menus.
🍽 Why This Activity Works
Instead of traditional worksheets or drill-style review, this activity invites students to play with language. They’ll stretch their imaginations, experiment with voice and tone, and gain confidence using figurative language—all while laughing at their own hysterically dramatic holiday dish descriptions.
Think “Mashed potatoes fluffier than a cloud napping in the sunshine” or “Turkey that could feed an entire army of hungry squirrels.”
The results are always delightful—and sometimes downright hilarious!
✅ What’s Included
Your print-and-go resource comes with everything you need:
Student work packets in both color and black & white
Two versions of the menu packet:
A structured figurative language review for guided practice
An open-ended creative writing version for extra choice + flexibility
Sample holiday menus to spark inspiration and confidence
Teacher instructions with easy setup and classroom tips
Setup is simple, so you can jump right into the fun—no extra prep required!
✍️ Skills Students Will Practice
This activity is more than just seasonal fun—it’s purposeful ELA learning. Students will:
Identify and create similes, metaphors, idioms, hyperboles, personification, and alliteration
Apply descriptive and sensory language in context
Strengthen creative writing and stylistic craft
Develop tone, humor, and unique voice
Practice clear, audience-focused writing
It’s the perfect balance of standards-aligned content and creative expression!
🎯 Perfect For:
November figurative language review
Thanksgiving-themed writing lessons
Literacy centers or ELA rotations
Early finishers
Creative writing extension challenges
Classroom displays or hallway showcases
⭐ Teacher-Loved Because…
It’s low-prep and easy to implement
Students stay engaged—even during the pre-holiday wiggles!
Works beautifully for mixed-ability groups
Encourages laughter, discussion, and collaboration
Makes writing feel fun again (yes, even for reluctant writers!)
🍗 Bring the Holiday Spirit to Your Classroom
This Thanksgiving, turn your classroom into a figurative language bistro!
Watch students light up as they experiment, giggle, brainstorm, and proudly share their menus with classmates.
Not only will they remember the laughter—they’ll remember the learning.
Give your students an experience that’s educational, creative, and unforgettable.
Get ready to serve up some deliciously descriptive writing this November!
