Celebrate the beauty of gratitude and harvest season with this Thanksgiving Horn of Plenty Art Lesson by Ms Artastic! Designed for Grades 2–5, this interdisciplinary resource blends art, literacy, reflection, and social-emotional learning in a meaningful way that helps students understand what it means to say and show thankfulness.

In this creative, step-by-step art lesson, students will draw and paint their own Horn of Plenty (Cornucopia) using oil pastels and watercolor or tempera paint. Along the way, they’ll engage in reading, writing, and reflection activities designed to deepen their understanding of Thanksgiving traditions, gratitude, and the power of kindness through both words and actions.

This is more than an art project — it’s a complete cross-curricular experience that brings calm, creativity, and connection to your classroom during a busy season.

🎨 This Resource Includes (Non-Editable, American English)

Everything you need to teach this full interdisciplinary lesson successfully:

Full 3-Page Lesson Plan

• Learning objectives, lesson flow, and cross-curricular standards (aligned to CCSS and National Visual Arts Standards).
• Step-by-step instructional outline and delivery notes.
• Participation strategies and reflection prompts.
• Lesson hook and gallery walk wrap-up suggestions.

Mini Creativity Challenge Hook:

• “Draw and Design Art Challenge” page to warm up creativity before the main lesson.
• Think-Pair-Share activity about Thanksgiving traditions and gratitude.
• Class brainstorm using whiteboard splash prompts like “What are you thankful for?”

Teacher Guide: Saying Thanks vs. Showing Thanks

• Discussion guide exploring the difference between words and actions of gratitude.
• Anchor chart templates and example responses.
• Creative classroom connections such as a “Thankful Tree” or “Gratitude Garden.”
• Writing connections for SEL and empathy development.

Art Tutorial: How to Draw a Horn of Plenty

• 11 illustrated visual and written steps for drawing and painting the cornucopia.
• Emphasis on line, texture, shape, and organic form.
• Techniques for mixing warm colors and creating contrast through negative space.
• Step-by-step watercolor or tempera layering instructions for success at any skill level.

Student Reading Passage:

• “About Thanksgiving” – age-appropriate nonfiction reading explaining harvest traditions, kindness, and gratitude across Canada and the U.S.

Reading Comprehension Story:

• “The Thanksgiving Surprise” – short fiction passage with critical thinking and comprehension questions (plus answer key).
• Reinforces empathy and family connection through reflection and reading fluency.

Literacy & Writing Activities:

• Thankfulness: Opinion Writing prompt (“Is it more important to say or show thankfulness?”).
• Kind Gestures: Write & Draw creative writing page (“Write about a time you made someone happy”).
• The Message artist reflection page (“What message or feeling does your art express?”).
• Compare & Contrast Chart: Saying Thanks vs. Showing Thanks (with answer key).
• 3 Stars and a Wish art reflection.
• Artist’s Statement and Feelings Reflection pages.

Visual Arts & Elements of Art Extensions:

• Symmetry Practice Worksheet
• Explore Line! line and pattern design activity
• Shapes and Forms design challenge
• Integrating the Elements of Art reflection page

Assessments & Student Reflection Tools:

• Art Rubric (Creativity, Craftsmanship, Responsibility)
• Artwork Reflection and Look at Mediums worksheets
• KWL Chart (What I Know, Want to Know, Learned)
• Top 3 Things I Love About My Art student self-assessment

Vocabulary Support:

• Sight Word Tracking List and Word Bank of Tricky Words (for pre-reading and fluency practice).
• Teacher instructions for sight word warm-ups and vocabulary games.

Display Materials:

• Printable Bulletin Board Sign “Happy Thanksgiving” for classroom or hallway art display.