Most people know the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for its signature giant character balloons, but few know the story of the man who created them. What if we wanted to add Thanksgiving PBL’s to our classroom? Tony Sarg was an inventive man with a passion for making things move and you are a passionate teacher that wants to change the world.
The picture book Balloons over Broadway is a great book to use during Thanksgiving time. I love to read this book and then encourage students to create their own class Thanksgiving parade!
Start with the book!
It wasn’t until 1927 that Tony had the idea to create giant character balloons for the Macy’s parade. He was inspired by puppets he’d seen in European carnivals, and saw an opportunity to bring that same magic to New York City.
His first designs were of animals, but it wasn’t long before he began creating beloved characters like Felix the Cat, Mickey Mouse, and Uncle Sam.
Tony’s balloons were an instant hit, and helped make the Macy’s parade into the spectacle it is today. Over the years, his designs became more and more complex, and even included special effects like smoke and lights. The parade continues to evolve even today, but it all started with Tony Sarg’s original vision.
Make a connection in class
Have students identify their absolute favorite Thanksgiving float or balloon! If you are working on this unit during Thanksgiving time, search for the list of balloons that will launch that year! This may spark some ideas for your students!
Balloons Over Broadway & Thanksgiving PBL
Okay – let’s crank it up a little.
How can we incorporate MORE into our classroom? Let’s add a Thanksgiving PBL. Let’s have our students design a Thanksgiving Parade. I mean – full on – design a balloon and a float – and then BUILD IT!
Wouldn’t that be amazing?
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Building a float is fun and engaging. They are creating their own float (or balloon) in your classroom.
Steps to build the float/balloon
- I encourage students to partner up in groups of 2. Any more than that causes chaos.
- Think of things in common with each other to have a theme. It should only have ONE theme because more than that again would be…chaotic.
- Once they have a theme, have the students design the float. I tell them ALL of the material that they will have access to. I provide: glue, popsicle sticks, foam stickers, 10 colored piece of paper for each group, tissue paper, and markers/crayons. I will allow students to bring supplies in if they have a specific theme. For example, if they really like a football team and have mini stickers of that team, they are allowed to bring it in.
- I use something like this for the draft(s):
4. Once they design it on the draft, they can create an example of the float with final pieces and display on another paper.
5. Next, they build! Give them time over a few days. Plan this accordingly because you want the presentation day.
6. As they build, give each student a ticket with the float or balloon name. Then draw the name out of a hat. Now you have the order of presentation.
Some other awesome ideas are: create this as a grade level. Have each class display their floats or balloons in certain areas and other classes can come and admire their amazing creation!
A Thanksgiving PBL Based off a Book
Without Tony Sarg, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade would be a very different event. Without you, a Thanksgiving PBL wouldn’t be possible. You can check this out here.
Sarg’s innovative spirit sparked an idea that has delighted millions of people over the years and turned the parade into an American tradition.
The next time you see one of the giant character balloons floating down Broadway, remember Tony Sarg and his legacy.
