Ready for one of the most memorable weeks of the school year?! This is one of my favorite November activities, and because of that, I am walking you through exactly how to bring the magic of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade into your own classroom. From learning about the parade to balloon design, building floats, and hosting a parade of your own; this unit is one you’ll look forward to every year!
Broadway Called…and It Wants to Come to Your Classroom!
Every Thanksgiving morning, millions of people tune in to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Get ready to bring that magic to your own classroom, but with a twist! Your students are the ones designing the balloons, and it’s SO much fun! This is hands down one of my favorite November activities, and once you try it, I promise it’ll become one of yours too.
First, students learn the history behind the parade. They get a peek behind the scenes to learn how the parade began, how it has evolved over time, and how it runs today. Next they begin planning their very own balloon design. This is such a fun creative outlet opportunity! After that they’ll get to actually BUILD the balloon the envisioned (magical.) Finally, they get to walk it in a parade of their own! This unit runs for 5 to 7 school days, making it the perfect activity for the week or weeks leading up to Thanksgiving break. It’s the kind of week they will STILL be talking about during break!
Before the Balloons…Let’s Learn About the Parade!
Before creating the balloons, students need a little background knowledge first!
To kick things off, I recommend reading Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet. It’s the perfect book to introduce students to Tony Sarg, the man behind the very first parade balloons. What goes into getting those GIANT balloons down Broadway, you ask? Students are always SO surprised to learn how much work goes into making those balloons come to life. It’s a story that will get them excited about the whole unit.
In addition to this, I show students videos about the history of the parade and how things are done today behind the scenes. I include the Parade History and Parade Facts activities in the unit to guide students through this part.
Students will absolutely LOVE the My Favorite Three activity. They get to look at real balloon designs from past and present parades and pick their top three. Then they write about why they love them. There are so many amazing characters to chose from!
Finally, once students build that foundation, it’s time for the fun part: the design!
Let the Designing Begin!
Now it’s time to design their very own parade balloon. This is where the FUN begins!
First things first: the Balloon Menu is where the brainstorming starts. Students then come up with three balloon ideas to submit for your approval. This step alone will save you SO much time and so many headaches later, trust me on this one!
Once you approve their design, they use the Balloon Planning page to sketch their design and write out exactly how they want their balloon to look. Every single student comes up with something COMPLETELY different! Additionally, I include 15 traceable balloon outlines for students who need a little extra help getting started.
Use the Balloon Tracker inside the resource to keep track of who is working on what design. You could also allow students to work in pairs if preferred. Just keep in mind, if students are paired together, only one of them will take home the design at the end.
There will always be that one student who comes up with the most unexpected idea. Those are always the ones that steal the show on parade day!
Once every plan is approved, it’s time to start building.
Now for the REALLY Fun Part…It’s Time to Build!
This is where things really start coming together!
Using their approved plans, students bring their balloons to life. I recommend using butcher paper for the actual creations. Many schools already have a supply of butcher paper making this a no cost option and giving you a lot to work with.
I walk you through the whole creation process step by step, so you always know exactly what to do next! The Balloon Checklist gives students a step-by-step guide to follow as they build. It keeps everyone moving and on track!
This is honestly one of the most exciting parts of the whole unit to watch. Students are cutting, assembling, and adding all the little details that make their balloon uniquely theirs. The room has the BEST energy during this time! Some students may need assistance to ensure they trace and cut out their designs correctly. Allow for plenty of time for this process (doing it over 2-3 days is recommended.)
Click through the photos below to see the balloon building process step by step! ALL the details of each step can be found inside the unit.
Watching their sketches turn into something they will actually carry down the hallway on parade day? There is NOTHING quite like it!
Then once the balloons are finished, there is only one thing left to do…
Have a parade!
Parade Day is Coming…Here is How to Prepare!
Now that the balloons are finished, it’s time to get parade day ready.
This is the part students look forward to ALL week! The balloons are done and parade day is almost here. But before they march out into those hallways though, a few things will help make the day run smoothly. Don’t worry, the unit has you covered for all of it!
- Email Templates to invite your admin and staff to come watch
- Parent Volunteer Flyer if you want some extra hands on deck
First, send out those invites, then get your volunteers lined up, and get ready for the best part of the whole unit!
The Moment They Have Been Waiting For!
Parade day is FINALLY here, and it’s everything!
Students walk their balloons through the school and show off all of their hard work to everyone they pass. Teachers and students cheer them on in the hallways, and the energy on this day is UNREAL!
Ask your admin to play parade music over the loud speaker OR carry a portable speaker through the parade for an added touch.
After the parade, students wrap up with two activities. The Parade Reflection lets students think back on what they learned and what they are most proud of! And the 5 Star Review? Students get to compliment a classmate on their balloon design which is so sweet!
Ready to Bring the Parade to Your Own Classroom?
You don’t need Broadway Avenue, a helium tank, or a TV crew to make this happen! Just a little planning, some butcher paper, and a class full of kids who are about to have the time of their lives.
This unit holds such a special place in my heart. I hope it becomes just as special in your classroom! I include everything you need: teaching slides, lesson plans, printable activities, and all the extras. Just grab the book Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet and you are ready to go.
Click the image below to grab the Balloons Over Broadway unit in my shop!
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