Thanksgiving ELA Lesson: Thank You Narratives for Middle & High School

A Zero-Prep Thanksgiving Lesson That Brings Gratitude and Narrative Writing Together

Wondering what to do for Thanksgiving in your middle or high school ELA classroom? You want something that feels meaningful—something that helps students slow down and express gratitude—but you also need it to be easy to implement during one of the busiest times of the school year.

That’s why I created the Thank You Narratives Mini-Unit—a short, standards-based lesson that guides students to reflect on the people who have impacted their lives while practicing the art of powerful narrative writing.

This lesson hits that perfect balance between rigor and heart.

Step 1: Reading and Analyzing a Classic Mentor Text

Students begin by reading “Thank You, Ma’am” by Langston Hughes, a timeless story that captures kindness, redemption, and the power of a single act of compassion.

On the Mentor Text: Getting Started slide, students are guided to:

• Analyze the title and its connection to the story’s theme

• Examine the author’s lead and how it hooks the reader

• Engage in a close reading of the text before diving into deeper analysis

This approach models exactly how great writers use structure, pacing, and theme—helping students prepare to craft their own meaningful “thank you” narratives.

Step 2: Brainstorming Gratitude

Next, students reflect on their own lives and identify people who have made a real difference for them—teachers, family members, friends, coaches, or even someone they’ve lost touch with.

The Brainstorming: Thank You Narrative slide encourages authentic reflection and builds emotional investment in the writing process.

It’s amazing how this step often sparks heartfelt classroom discussions about gratitude and growth—something we could all use more of in November.

Step 3: Plotting a Personal Narrative

Using the Plotting: Thank You Narrative slide, students plan their own narrative arcs based on the structure of Hughes’s story.

They map out the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution, identifying where gratitude becomes the central emotional turning point.

This scaffold helps students translate reflection into well-structured, engaging storytelling. Even reluctant writers feel confident when they have a clear visual to guide their narrative flow.

Step 4: Drafting, Revising, and Sharing

Once the planning is done, students draft their Thank You Narratives using the provided rubric for guidance. Peer conferencing and revision checklists help them strengthen their writing before publication.

The unit ends with a walk and share celebration—students display their narratives around the classroom, walk around to read one another’s writing, and leave encouraging feedback. It’s a simple but powerful way to close out the season with gratitude, connection, and community.

What’s Included in the Mini-Unit

✅ Step-by-step teacher lesson plans

✅ Answer key for “Thank You, Ma’am”

✅ Editable Google Slides (15 total) for student use

✅ Rubric and peer conference tools

✅ Links to the full text and audio version of the mentor story

This resource can be used digitally or in print, and it fits perfectly before (and even after) Thanksgiving break.

Why Teachers Love It

Teachers who’ve used this lesson say it’s the perfect combination of meaningful and manageable. It lets students practice close reading, narrative structure, and revision—all while focusing on gratitude.

"I've read 'Thank You Ma'am' for several years with my students but it's always fallen a little short of what I wanted. This resource was really helpful in elevating my lessons surrounding the short story. This resource was spot on!" --Kimberly

Your students will walk away better writers… and kinder humans. 💛

Bring gratitude and great writing together this Thanksgiving. Grab the Thank You Narratives Mini-Unit  today and make this short week one your students will never forget.