On the Monday before Thanksgiving, while driving to work, I listened to a radio essay entitled, "Baking by Senses and Memories" by Emily Smith. You can click on the link to read or listen to the essay. I read the essay aloud to my students in grades 5, 7 & 8. I shared that the reason why I like this essay is because it reminded me about how my grandmother taught me how to bake and garden. Around Thanksgiving we also discuss family traditions. So I asked these students to consider foods or dishes that they look forward to eating at Thanksgiving and the memories associated with it. The activity is called a "quick write," and the writing is not a polished piece. However, a fair number of students have some strong, positive feelings towards Thanksgiving.

Zach D. (grade 5)
Almost every year on Thanksgiving, my Grandy (Grandma) bakes the best apple pie ever and every year, it's better. My dad makes the same thing, but his crust isn't as good (don't tell my dad). One year, I hope she gives me the recipe and I can make one better than hers all by myself.

Gian Z. (grade 5)
My Thanksgiving food is the stuffing & stuffed mushrooms. My mom makes the stuffed mushrooms & brings them to my Grandma's and finishes them. My Grandma makes the stuffing. These foods remind me of all the Thanksgivings I've been to and it makes me glad that it does because when we have it on another day, it reminds me of Thanksgiving.

Micaela (grade 5)
One of my family's traditional foods is noodle kugle with fresh noodles, raisins, and applesauce. It is traditional because my mother grew up with it being taught by her grandmother. It is very delicious and can be eaten with any meal. It reminds me of my family making it together.

Jenna (grade 5)
My favorite thing to eat on Thanksgiving is mashed potatoes. We always go to my grandmother's house and she always makes the mashed potatoes. She doesn't make them out of a box. She takes potatoes and mashes them. I always help.

Quinn (grade 5)
My favorite food on Thanksgiving is mashed potatoes. I love hoe they're hot and soft and has a sweet taste. I think they look like a cloud on my plate. I love mashed potatoes.

Addie M. (grade 5)
The traditional Thanksgiving dish we bake in my family is pumpkin pie with whipped cream on top. My dad and I usually make it. Sometimes my sisters help too. I love it so much. It's the best!

Gabrielle A. (grade 5)
On Thanksgiving, my favorite food is cornbread. My mom or Grandma always makes it but it is my Grandma's recipe. My mom makes it moist and delicious. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.

Dana M. (grade 5)
My favorite food on Thanksgiving is my Grandma's brisket. It always reminds me of her in Florida playing cards together. I really enjoy eating it. Grandma will only make it for special occasions.

Michael D. (grade 5)
During Thanksgiving I love the turkey and mashed potatoes because my mom and Grandma make it in a special way.

Ryan C.
Turkey because it is very yummy. My dad always makes it very well. It is special because I always have it every Thanksgiving.

Nick C. (grade 8)
Every holiday, my grandmother makes her signature cookies, cololracya [sic]. They are made with honey and batter, then glazed again with honey. They are my favorite cookies ever. I can eat hundreds. She tried to teach me numerous times, but I never got the hang of it, but one day I hope to learn and teach my kids.

Angela V. (grade 8)
Every year for as long as I can remember, my mom hosted Thanksgiving. I always remember all of her side of the family coming to our house for dinner and to visit and catch up with one another. Once everyone got to our house, we would have more than 40 people there. The person I looked forward to coming was my uncle who is a baker. Everyone in my family is a good cook, but he made the best apple turnovers and pie. Thanksgiving never started until he got there and handed out the goodies.

Claludia Z. (grade 8)
Each year we hold a family gathering at my Grandma's house. I am in charge of peeling and mashing a ton of potatoes. Once that is done, I add tons of butter to make them extra creamy. Everyone around the table loves my mashed potatoes.

Alexa C. (grade 8)
Every year, for Thanksgiving and Christmas, my sister and I bake something special. Our family friend's Grandma had her own recipe of cookies. They are called Virginia's Cookies, since her name is Virginia. They are amazingly good. They are dough cookies with strawberry jam in them. They are so good.

Liz G. (grade 8)
Every Thanksgiving I go to my Grandma's house in Long Island, NY. My dad is one of nine so I have a big family with tons of cousins. Although there are many other foods that I love, the thing I look forward to the most is the 365 pound turkey. I love having a family of 40 people at the table eating the greatest meal of the year because it brings us all together. I look forward to the meal because it tastes great, but I look forward to the holiday because I get to be surrounded by the people I love.