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Content
Information for Lesson Planning
  Investigating
the First Thanksgiving - What was it really
like?? Plimoth Plantation museum has added a new Flash-based
Thanksgiving lesson that will introduce students to the cultures and
customs of both the Pilgrim and Wampanoag peoples. This presentation
blends information about lots of everyday activities and customs with
a look at what the actual "first Thanksgiving" might have
looked like. Requires the free Flash 6 player.
Plymouth
Thanksgiving Story- This narrative provides an excellent
resource for a unit that examines the first inhabitants of the Plymouth
region (the Wampanoag), their culture, and the impact of the arrival
of the Pilgrims upon their lives. The site describes the establishment
and eventual deterioration of friendships between the early colonists
and the Wampanoag. A study guide and discussion questions are included,
along with ideas for enrichment.
Caleb
Johnson’s Mayflower Web Page - Filled with detailed
information that can be used to supplement a Thanksgiving unit, this
web page provides full texts of journals written by Mayflower passengers,
a history of Squanto, descriptions of pilgrim clothing, common myths
and misconceptions about Pilgrims, the history of the Mayflower, and
a Thanksgiving dinner menu from 1621.
The
Pilgrims of Plymouth - Grades 3-4 - Here's
a collection of Pilgrim resources compiled by Missouri's e-Themes project
for use as an on-line enrichment unit. If you're interested in letting
your students use the computer to learn more about the Pilgrims, this
site offers "one stop shopping."
 Teaching
About Thanksgiving - Written by a teacher whose ancestors were
Native Americans, this site offers extensively researched background
information on the Pilgrims and other religious separatists who settled
in Massachusetts, as well as the Native American tribes who were indigenous
to the area. The author spends a good deal of time separating fact from
myth in the interest of making Thanksgiving commemorations more historically
accurate while staying within the intended spirit of the holiday. Great
teacher resource.
Thanksgiving
from the Library of Congress - A part of the Library's American
Memory series, this Thanksgiving site concentrates on the historical
origins of the holiday and how its celebration has evolved since the
original Thanksgiving proclamation.
 Thanksgiving Poetry Index - Grades 4 - 7 This collection of traditional and classic poems celebrates autumn and Thanksgiving. Each selection is beautifully illustrated and accompanied by music…which you may wish to silence for classroom use. Created by Jeanne Pasero.
Add it up! - The Census Bureau offers lots of Thanksgiving statistics, from the total weight of all the turkeys raised in the US to the total amount of food consumed on Thanksgiving. You can plan a huge party with this one!
The
First Thanksgiving
Life
in Early America - Grade
3 - Social Studies - Written by K. Burkett and B. Morton,
this lesson explores everyday life in the early settlements and colonies
of America. The people, places, and events of this period in American
history are examined as students strengthen skills in mapping, graphing,
and creative writing, while broadening their working vocabulary.
A
Time to Give Thanks: A Thanksgiving Unit Study - Grades
2-6 - Social Studies - Introduce students to the history
and significance of the Thanksgiving holiday through this unit that
uses historical information, hands-on activities, and scientific experiments.
Why did the Puritans leave Europe? What was the Mayflower voyage really
like? Was life any easier in the New World? Children discover answers
to these questions as they trace Thanksgiving traditions from the earliest
recorded observance in 1621 to the present day. Detailed unit plans
are included.
The
First Thanksgiving Day Observance - Grades
2-6 - Social Studies - View a display of the original
document, penned in 1789 by George Washington and published in the Massachusetts
Centinel, calling for the setting aside of "A Day of Publick
Thanksgiving and Prayer." Students trace the evolution and observance
of this holiday from 1621 to the twentieth century.
The First Thanksgiving - Grades 4-7 - This site offers an illustrated, interactive time line documenting the Pilgrims’ first year in America. Students can take a virtual tour of the Mayflower, meet the crew and passengers, read transcripts from “interviews” with Plimoth Pilgrims, and test their knowledge with a Thanksgiving Cyber challenge. Created by Scholastic, Inc.
The History of Thanksgiving - Grades 5-7- What was eaten at that first Thanksgiving feast? How were the Pilgrims dressed? This site explores the truths and myths surrounding this American holiday and provides entertaining, historically accurate information about the table manners, cooking practices, and guests who were part of the harvest feast of 1621. Includes audio clips of Pilgrim “interviews.” Created by A&E Television Networks.
The
First Thanksgiving Proclamation - The text of the original proclamation,
June 20, 1676.
The
Mayflower Compact - The document by which the Plymouth colonists
agreed to govern themselves.
Especially
for Very Young Children or Special Needs Students
Turkey
Hunt - Early elementary or Elementary Special Needs - Grades
2-6 - Click on areas of the picture to discover where
Mr. Turkey is hiding. Each student who finds him will be awarded a picture
of Mr. Turkey to print out and color.
Thanksgiving Story Starters - Grades 2-5 - Use these helpful seasonal prompts as the foundation for a Thanksgiving writing activity. Created by abcteach.
Sammy,
the Turkey Snake - Language Arts- Grades
2-4 - This adorable poem, complete with graphics, carries
a wonderful message about being thankful for what you have. Can be used
as a springboard for a creative writing activity.
Thanksgiving
for Preschool and Early Childhood - Printables, activity ideas,
and more from our companion TeachersAndFamilies site
Cunning
Colonists
Thanksgiving
Games - Grades 2-5 - Social
Studies - Get students involved in playing games that were known and
loved by children in seventeenth century America. Games, with full instructions,
are grouped according to "Quiet," "Noisy," and "Outdoor"
varieties.
Colonial
Crafts for Today - Grades 3-6 - TeachersFirst's
own collection of Colonial crafts includes several projects with Native
American origins that students can create today using simple materials.
Virtual
History
Plimoth-on-the-Web:
Plimoth Plantation’s Web Page - Grades
2-6 - Social Studies - This is an excellent site produced
by the Living History Museum of 17th Century Plymouth. As students browse
through its pages, they will learn about the Pilgrim story, the history
of the Plymouth Colony, and the Wampanoag Indians. Connecting links
bring to life the daily struggles of Plymouth colonists, the bill of
fare for the "first Thanksgiving Dinner" in 1621, the dress
of early New England, and the many myths surrounding these early colonists.
Detailed, realistic descriptions of the life left behind in Holland,
the Mayflower voyage, and the brutal first winter in the New World are
included. Last updated on 10/2/98.
What
to Eat! - Plimoth Plantation offers a couple of recipes typical
of what the Pilgrims might have cooked as part of their feast. Try making
some yourself!
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