Planning lessons around holidays, historical events, and seasonal themes can be a fun way to homeschool. It’s an excellent way for kids to learn about the world around them, including topics that aren’t usually covered in a textbook. Our family has enjoyed occasionally adding seasonal and holiday-themed lessons to our homeschool routine.

Below is a list of free unit studies, lesson plans, and activities for November. All of the holiday dates given are for 2023. Because the dates of some holidays vary, I will update this post each year. If you are looking for other months, check out our monthly unit studies and lesson plans page.

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Free November Unit Studies and Lessons for Month-Long Themes and Observances

Native American Heritage Month (all November)

Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the culture, traditions, history, and contributions of Native Americans.

National Native American Heritage Month– teacher’s resources
The Homeschool Mom– learning resources
Homeschool Super Freak– teaching resources and ideas
The Daily Bellringer– Native American History video playlist

Free November Unit Studies and Lessons for Week-Long Themes and Observances

Geography Awareness Week (November 12th to 18th)

Geography Awareness Week was first proclaimed in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan to encourage the broadened study of geography by everyone. National Geography week is the third week of November each year.

National Geographic– list of teaching ideas
1+1+1=1– country research notebooking pages and printable maps
1+1+1=1– states and capitals worksheets
Freedom Homeschooling– virtual field trips

Free November Unit Studies and Lessons for Holidays, Historical Events, and Fun Days

All Saints’ Day (November 1st)

All Saints Day, also known as All Hallows’ Day or Hallowmas, is when some Christians celebrate and honor the saints. In Western Christianity, it is observed on November 1st by the Roman Catholic Church and some Protestant denominations. The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates All Saints Day on the first Sunday following Pentecost  (sometime in May or June).

Loyola Press– lesson plans and activities
Heritage History– A Child’s Book of Saints ebook
Project Gutenburg– In God’s Garden: Stories of the Saints for Little Children ebook

North Dakota’s Statehood (November 2nd)

North Dakota was admitted into the Union on November 2, 1889.

Ben and Me– unit study
Learn in Color– state report lapbook

South Dakota’s Statehood (November 2nd)

South Dakota also became a state on November 2, 1889.

Ben and Me– unit study
Learn in Color– state report lapbook

Daylight Savings Time Ends (November 5th)

Daylight Savings Time ends on the first Sunday of November. At 2:00 AM, the clocks are turned back one hour to standard time. Benjamin Franklin came up with the idea to reset clocks in the summer months to conserve energy. By moving clocks forward, people could take advantage of the extra evening daylight rather than wasting energy on lighting. We will switch back to Daylight Savings Time on the 2nd Sunday of March. Some states and territories don’t observe Daylight Savings Time.

Learn Bright– lesson plan
Teachers Pay Teachers– opinion passage reading comprehension worksheet
Teachers Pay Teachers– reading comprehension and writing prompt printables

Election Day (November 7th)

Election Day is the day general elections of federal public officials, including the President, are held.  Election Day is the Tuesday following the first Monday in November each year.

Sonlight– unit study
Year Round Homeschooling– unit study
Homeschool Share– lapbook

X-ray Day (November 8th)

X-ray Day, also called the International Day of Radiology, marks the anniversary of Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen’s discovery of X-rays on November 8, 1895.

Education World– x-ray worksheet
eSkeletons– skeleton worksheets and lifesize printable skeleton

Montanna’s Statehood (November 8th)

Montana became a state on November 8, 1889.

Ben and Me– unit study
DIY Homeschooler– unit study

Diwali (November 10th to November 15th)

In the Hindu religion, Diwali (or Deepawali ) is a festival of lights symbolizing the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. The word “Deepawali” refers to rows of diyas or clay lamps. Diwali takes place on the 15th day of the Hindu month of Kartik, which overlaps October and November on the Gregorian calendar.

Nurture Store– unit study
Teachers Pay Teachers– virtual field trip and worksheets
Teachers Pay Teachers– lesson plan and printables

Veterans Day (November 11th)

On Veterans Day, Americans honor and thank those who have served in the military. Veterans Day was initially called Armistice  Day. The date it’s observed was chosen because World War I formally ended on November 11, 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect.

Year Round Homeschooling– unit study
DLTK’s Crafts for Kids– activities and printables
Teacher Pay Teachers– coloring pages and thank you letter writing activity

Mayflower Compact Signed (November 11th)

Originally titled Agreement Between the Settlers of New Plymouth, the Mayflower Compact was signed by pilgrims on the Mayflower ship on November 11, 1620, before landing at Plymouth, Massachusetts. This agreement was the first governing document of the Plymouth Colony.

Learning to Give– lesson plan
The Pilgrims & Plymouth Colony– reading activity
Teachers Pay Teachers– reading comprehension worksheet

Washington’s Statehood (November 11th)

Washington was admitted into the Union on November 11, 1889.

Ben and Me– unit study
Learn in Color– state report lapbook

World Kindness Day (November 13th)

World Kindness Day was introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement. The day celebrates and promotes kindness and good deeds.

Learn in Color– acts of kindness printable
Teachers Pay Teachers– coloring sheets and “spotted being kind” tokens

Oklahoma’s Statehood (November 16th)

Oklahoma became a state on November 16, 1907.

Ben and Me– unit study
Learn in Color– state report lapbook

Homemade Bread Day (November 17th)

Homemade Bread Day is a day dedicated to encouraging the art of bread making so the tradition isn’t forgotten.

Family Consumer Sciences– baking quick bread lesson plan
Home Baking Association– baking lesson plans
Natural Agriculture in the Classroom– bread dough science lesson plan

Take a Hike Day (November 17th)

Take a Hike Day is a fun day to hit the trails with friends and family. Some people also volunteer on trail building or cleanup projects on this day.

Discover the Forest– activity ideas
Handmade Charlotte– printable nature walk bingo cards

Gettysburg Address Delivered  (November 19th)

The Gettysburg Address is President Abraham Lincoln’s speech during the Civil War at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on November 19, 1863. This dedication took place four and a half months after the Battle of Gettysburg.

PBS Newshour– lesson plan
American Battlefield Trust– lesson plan and other resources

North Carolina’s Statehood (November 21st)

North Carolina was admitted to the Union on November 21, 1789.

Ben and Me– unit study
Anchor– online textbook
Learn in Color– state report lapbook

Thanksgiving (November 23rd)

Thanksgiving is a time when people express thanks for all they have and reflect on the blessings in their lives. The holiday is inspired by the Pilgrim’s 1621 Thanksgiving feast and was declared a national holiday by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.

Freedom Homeschooling– a collection of unit studies
Doodle Art Alley– coloring pages and worksheets
Kaplan– thankfulness craft

Black Friday (November 24th)

Black Friday, which is the day after Thanksgiving, is the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season.  Most retailers offer deep discounts and special sales on the day.  Many retailers report their highest profits of the year on Black Friday.

Teachers Pay Teachers– comparison shopping activity
K12 Math Worksheets– comparing unit rates worksheet
K12 Math Worksheets– money counting worksheets

Buy Nothing Day (November 24th)

Buy Nothing Day, which coincides with Black Friday, is a day of protest against overconsumption. It’s also a day for people to reflect on their spending habits.

Practical Money Skills– middle school lesson plans on credit cards, the influence of advertising, and consumer awareness
Practical Money Skills– high school lesson plans on using credit wisely and the dangers of debt
Laurie Christine– contentment Bible lesson and activities

National Cake Day (November 26th)

National Cake Day is a fun excuse to bake a cake and celebrate the dessert that’s the centerpiece of so many special events—from birthday parties to weddings.

Family Consumer Sciences– cake basics lesson plan
Family Consumer Sciences– cake decorating unit

Mark Twain’s Birthday (November 30th)

Mark Twain, author of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and many other books,  was born on November 30, 1885.

In All You Do– Mark Twain unit study
Glencoe Literature Library– The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn study guide
Glencoe Literature Library– The Adventures of Tom Sawyer study guide

Have fun learning this November! I will add more free unit studies and lessons next year. Be sure to pin this post so you can find it next November. When you’re ready to start planning for next month, check out our December Unit Studies and Lessons.

 

Note: This post was originally published on September 25, 2021, and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.