Free November Unit Studies and Lessons

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 2026. Because the dates of some holidays vary, I will update this post each year. Holidays with dates that change from year to year are indicated by an asterisk (*).

If you are looking for other months, check out our monthly unit studies and lesson plans page. There, you will find resources for every month of the year.  

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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– teachers’ 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 16th to 20th)*

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
• Storylark Road– map skills unit

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 Gutenberg- In God’s Garden: Stories of the Saints for Little Children ebook

Daylight Saving Time Ends (November 1st)*

Daylight Saving 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 Saving Time on the 2nd Sunday of March. Some states and territories don’t observe Daylight Saving Time.

• Teachers Pay Teachers– opinion passage reading comprehension worksheet
• Teachers Pay Teachers– reading comprehension and writing prompt printables

North Dakota’s Statehood (November 2nd)

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

• From ABCs to ACTs– unit study
• Ben and Me– unit study

South Dakota’s Statehood (November 2nd)

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

• From ABCs to ACTs– unit study
• Ben and Me– unit study

Election Day (November 3rd)*

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

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

Diwali (November 6th to November 10th)*

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 (clay lamps). Diwali falls on the 15th day of the Hindu month of Kartik, which overlaps with October and November on the Gregorian calendar.

• Nurture Store– unit study
• Teachers Pay Teachers– lesson plan and printables
• Easy Teacher Worksheets– worksheets

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 life-size printable skeleton

Montana’s Statehood (November 8th)

Montana became a state on November 8, 1889.

• From ABCs to ACTs– unit study
• Ben and Me– unit study
• DIY Homeschooler– unit study

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
• NotebookingPages.com– notebooking pages
• 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.

• From ABCs to ACTs– unit study
• Ben and Me– unit study

World Kindness Day (November 13th)

The World Kindness Movement introduced World Kindness Day in 1998. 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.

• From ABCs to ACTs– unit study
• Ben and Me– unit study

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.

• From ABCs to ACTs– unit study
• Ben and Me– unit study
• Anchor– online textbook

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

Thanksgiving (November 26th)*

Thanksgiving is a time when people express thanks for all they have and reflect on the blessings in their lives. It is inspired by the Pilgrims’ 1621 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
• 7Sisters Homeschool– unit study
• The Daily Bellringer– video playlist

Black Friday (November 27th)*

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

• Teachers Pay Teachers– comparison shopping activity
• iMathWorksheets.com– comparing unit rates worksheets

Buy Nothing Day (November 27th)*

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

Advent (Sunday, November 29th through Thursday, December 24th)*

Advent is a time when many Christians prepare for Christmas and celebrate the birth of Jesus. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, which can fall anytime between November 27th and December 3rd, and always ends on Christmas Eve.

• Freedom Homeschooling– list of Advent activities
• G3 Ministries– Advent scripture reading and activities
• DIY Homeschooler– Christmas symbols unit study

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.