Whether you are doing virtual therapy or teletherapy, books are always a good idea. Want to know my favorite Thanksgiving books for speech therapy with some cutesy crafts to go along with them?
If you’re trying to build your book library or you have tons of books already, read on. Maybe you’ll find a craft or 2 you can pair with a book you already own! Crafts are my go-to for in-person therapy this year, since they are individual and you don’t have to clean a thing.
Remember when choosing a book for your specific students, these are the four things to ask yourself:
- Is it developmental age appropriate? (not just chronological age appropriate)
- Will it allow me to target their specific needs and IEP goals?
- Is it motivating and easy to understand?
- Will it be short enough to finish in time to do additional activities in my session? (Or does it lend itself to be chunked between multiple sessions?)
Here are my very favorite Thanksgiving books for speech therapy with some pretty spectacular craft ideas to go along with them. Check out the list and see if any of them will work for the students on your caseload. Amazon affiliate links included.
1. Bear Says Thanks
I love me some Bear books by Karma Wilson, don’t you? I pull this one out every year. It’s perfect for sequencing, comprehension, and new animal vocabulary (like hare and mole). Books and Giggle shares 8 different activities and crafts that are super cute to do alongside this book.
2. Turkey Trouble
This one is a favorite among my students. It’s pretty hilarious and great for problem/solution, story elements, and retell. You have to check out these adorable cardboard Turkey Trouble disguise ideas from the Mama Workshop.
3. The Plump and Perky Turkey
In this book, the townspeople try to come up with ways to lure a turkey into their Thanksgiving feast. It’s got a rhyming text and is great for making predictions, cause/effect, and sequencing. I love this easy paper plate turkey craft from I Heart Crafty Things.
4. The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey
How can you go wrong with an Old Lady book? This one is loved by kids of all ages. I like using the Old Lady series to target sequencing, vocabulary, retell, and rhyming. Fun in Speech has a precious free sequencing activity for this book on TPT!
5. How to Catch a Turkey
Have you read the How to Catch books? I’m just now getting into these and they’re good for teaching problem/solution, sequencing, and story elements. There are tons of easy turkey crafts out there that you could pair with this one. But I’m sharing a cute literacy snack recipe to go with it! How cute (and easy) are these Oreo turkey cookies?!
6. Porcupine’s Pie
OK, this book is absolutely adorable and you need it for your speech room. It teaches generosity and I love it for sequencing, vocabulary, answering questions, and retell. Here is a cute porcupine/hedgehog craft that you can use with it! OR check out these cute paper plate pie crafts that are perfect for this story. And this one would be great for adding speech words.
7. Thanksgiving Is For Giving Thanks
I like this book for its element of gratitude and helping kids understand what it means to be thankful. The text is simple and the pictures are clear to talk through the vocabulary. Here’s a post with 6 different thankful crafts for kids that would be perfect to put with the book.
8. Run Turkey Run
Lastly, Run Turkey Run is a cute book to practice /r/ words. It also lends itself well to story elements and retell. Here’s another cute and easy turkey craft that pairs nicely. Or check out this adorable turkey leg bulletin board from Tunstall’s Teaching Tidbits
If you are looking for a few more speechie Thanksgiving activities, check out these resources on TPT:
- Fall Accordion Crafts
- Thanksgiving Fluency Game
- Thanksgiving Articulation Game
- Playdoh Turkey Freebie Activities
- Thanksgiving Pie Vocabulary
I hope some of these Thanksgiving books for speech activities help your little turkeys have some fun and make your therapy extra motivating this Thanksgiving! Be sure to check out my books lists for Valentine’s Day and Halloween as well!
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