Objects come to symbolize different things in various contexts and understanding symbolism is vital to a greater appreciation of literature. Many students can recognize that something is associated with Thanksgiving, but they may not understand why. This activity can give students a good foundation on symbols and symbolism, or it can be used as a focus on Thanksgiving itself.
I chose to use the spider map layout in my example. The symbol should be named in the title box, a visual representation should be made in the storyboard cell, and an explanation of what the symbol represents should be included in the description box.
Here are a few possible examples:
Both the Pilgrims and the Native Americans contributed to the celebration feast of the successful harvest. Having a Pilgrim and Native American together shows friendship.
Corn was a staple to the Native Americans and they taught the Pilgrims to grow it. Pumpkins, squash, and other gourds are vegetables harvested in the fall.
Thanksgiving occurs during autumn. The colored leaves reminds us that the plentiful summer is over, and the cold winter, when little food is to be found, is coming.
Wheat is usually harvested during the fall. Wheat is used to make flour for bread, which has been an important source of food for thousands of years.
At Thanksgiving, we eat turkey: a bird that was available to people in the time of the first Thanksgivings. In England, they typically ate goose at the harvest time.
The cornucopia is also known as the "horn of plenty." It represents the wealth and the bounty of the fall harvest.
Cranberries were one type of berry that the Pilgrims were able to forage. They used maple syrup to sweeten the juice.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Engage students by designing a scavenger hunt where they search for Thanksgiving symbols around your classroom or school. This interactive activity helps reinforce symbol recognition and meaning while getting students moving and collaborating.
Select 5–8 Thanksgiving symbols (e.g., turkey, cornucopia, wheat, autumn leaves) relevant to your lesson goals. Choosing familiar and new items helps students connect prior knowledge with new insights.
Print or draw each symbol, then place them in visible or semi-hidden spots. Consider taping them under desks, on bulletin boards, or near bookshelves to make the hunt fun and challenging.
Hand out a simple sheet with each symbol’s name and space for students to write what it represents. This encourages recall and deeper understanding of each symbol’s meaning.
Discuss what students found and invite them to share their ideas about each symbol’s meaning. Sharing helps reinforce learning and builds classroom community.
Common symbols of Thanksgiving include Pilgrims and Native Americans (friendship and unity), corn, pumpkins, and gourds (harvest and abundance), autumn leaves (change of seasons), wheat (nourishment), turkey (traditional feast), cornucopia (bounty), and cranberry sauce (resourcefulness). Each symbol represents important aspects of the holiday’s history and meaning.
Use a spider map activity: Have students name a Thanksgiving symbol in the center, draw a visual, and explain its meaning in their own words. This simple structure encourages understanding of both the symbol and its significance.
The cornucopia, or "horn of plenty," is a key Thanksgiving symbol that represents the bounty and abundance of the fall harvest, making it ideal for teaching about gratitude and the historical context of the holiday.
The best way is to combine visuals, descriptions, and discussion. Let students draw or build symbols, share what each represents, and connect them to history and personal experiences for deeper understanding.
Teaching symbolism through Thanksgiving objects helps students recognize symbolic meaning in stories and literature, building skills to interpret themes and deeper messages in texts throughout the year.