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Thanksgiving is more than a holiday ā it's a chance to pause, reflect, and build stronger classroom communities through gratitude, empathy, and kindness. In the spirit of the season, incorporating Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into your Thanksgiving activities can help students grow emotionally while fostering meaningful connections.
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Hereās a simple activity schools can use to teach SEL strategies this November using the VariQuest Cutout Maker and VariQuest Perfecta Series Poster Printer: Ā
āļø Classroom Activity: The āGratitude Gardenā
Create a Gratitude Garden Wall where every student āplantsā a fall-themed shape that represents something theyāre thankful for. Using the VariQuest Cutout Maker, educators can quickly and consistently cut uniform shapes from the machineās preloaded Content Library, saving valuable time during the busy holiday season.
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š What Youāll Need:
- Fall-themed shapes from the VariQuest Content Library (leaves, pumpkins, apples, acorns, sunflowers,)
- Markers, crayons, or pens
- A bulletin board or blank wall space
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š§” How It Works:
- Use the VariQuest Design Center to choose a poster as your Garden's background, and print it out using your PerfectaĀ Poster Printer. We picked the "Thanksgiving Poster" from the Engage Every Learner Content Library, but you could also choose one of the farm or garden posters from the interactive boards section.
- Use the VariQuest Cutout Maker 2800 to cut shapes like leaves, pumpkins, or acorns directly from the Content Library.
- Prompt students with gratitude-focused phrases like: āIām thankful forā¦ā āSomeone who helps me feel seen isā¦ā āThis makes me feel calmā¦ā
- Let students decorate their shape and write their response.
- āPlantā the shapes in a large Gratitude Garden or Tree on the wall.
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š Extend It:
Make it a weekly check-in during November, encouraging students to add new shapes as they reflect gratitude throughout the month.
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SEL Skills in Action
This activity supports multiple SEL core competencies:
- Self-awareness ā Reflecting on oneās own gratitude and growth
- Social awareness ā Considering othersā impact on our lives
- Relationship skills ā Sharing and celebrating each otherās reflections
- Responsible decision-making ā Choosing to express kindness and appreciation
Why the VariQuest Suite?
The VariQuest Suite helps educators:
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Save time with quick, consistent shape cutting from its extensive Content Library
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Engage students with hands-on, visual projects
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Create impactful, seasonal displays that encourage participation
The VariQuest Suite is designed specifically for education environments, helping teachers bring creativity into the classroom without sacrificing efficiency.
š§” Wrap-Up: SEL That Sticks
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to slow down and reflect. By bringing SEL into the classroom through gratitude-based activities like the Gratitude Garden, teachers give students tools for emotional growth that lasted long past the holiday.
