Other
Who Were the Pilgrims?
A good general overview of who pilgrims were and how they came to America. Includes the journey over on the Mayflower and the Native Americans who helped them.
Other
Plimouth Plantation
Plimoth Plantation brings us "Living, breathing history," and lots of fun delving into various aspects like the Wampanoag, the English Colonists, the colony itself, and, of course, Thanksgiving - myth and reality. This is a site with...
Other
Funology: Holiday Arts and Crafts
This resource has crafts and activities for holidays. Ideas are listed by holiday. Most can be done with common classroom and household supplies with little adult help.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Pilgrim John Howland
Fictional interview with John Howland, a farmer in Plimoth Village in 1621. He describes what pilgrim life might have been like from the viewpoint of a farmer and a man.
CommonLit
Common Lit: The Kids' Table
A learning module that begins with the story "The Kids' Table" by Anita Celli, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through free...
abcteach
Abcteach: Thanksgiving
[Free Registration/Login Required] At this site, you can find some useful and fun children's activities to use in developing a unit around Thanksgiving.
Library of Congress
Loc: For Teachers: Holidays: Themed Resources
A rich resource page with links to primary source information about a number of holidays and special days, such as presidential inaugurations.
The History Cat
The History Cat: Us History: Plymouth Colony
The story of how Plymouth Colony came to be. Looks at the Puritan movement with its roots in England, the sailing of the Mayflower, and the progress of the settlers in their first years in New England. Describes their first encounters...
US National Archives
Nara: Congress Establishes Thanksgiving
From the National Archives, an essay on the establishment of the American holiday of Thanksgiving as a legal holiday starting with the original proclamation in 1789 celebrating it on different days or months up to the 1941 resolution...
CommonLit
Common Lit: Text Sets: Native American History
This is a collection of 27 Grade-Leveled texts (4-12) on the topic Native American History. Before European settlers came to North America, millions of native people lived in many unique societies. Explore the history of Native Americans...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Using Primary Sources
This is an interdisciplinary inquiry-based lesson that focuses on critical thinking. Students are introduced to the true story of the first Thanksgiving with the reading of a NCSS Notable Trade Book Thanksgiving: The True Story. Working...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Become a Thanksgiving Historian
Students may be surprised to find out that some ideas they have about the history of Thanksgiving are actually myths. In this lesson students become a true "Thanksgiving historian" by completing a Venn diagram about the Wampanoag people...
ABCya
Ab Cya: Gobble Squabble
Gobble Squabble is a Thanksgiving activity to practice addition, subtraction, multiplication and division math facts! Solve math problems and avoid the hungry chefs. Gobble gobble!
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Thank You, Thanksgiving
Students will discuss and write about what we are thankful for this Thanksgiving.
Other
She Helped Give Us Thanksgiving
Recognizing the contributions Sarah Josepha Hale made, this site provides a brief biography of her life and ideas.
New York Times
New York Times: Crossword Puzzle: Thanksgiving
The New York Times Learning Network presents interactive & printable crossword puzzles. This one is on Thanksgiving.
Other
San Diego City Schools: The Pilgrim Life Adventure
A lesson plan that has children investigate who the Pilgrims were, where they came from and why they come to America.
National Geographic Kids
National Geographic Kids: First Thanksgiving
National Geographic recounts the first Thanksgiving and offers related activities, games, and web links.
EL Education
El Education: The Truth About Thanksgiving Coloring Book
In this lesson, students research different aspects of Pilgrim and Wampanoag culture and create a coloring book about the first Thanksgiving with original text and illustrations.
Center for Literacy and Disability Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Tar Heel Reader: Thanksgiving Is
An e-book featuring a variety of memories conjured up by the Thanksgiving holiday.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Thanksgiving
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students will learn about the Thanksgiving story and why we celebrate Thanksgiving.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Thanksgiving Graphing
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students will interpret data from a bar graph and a pictograph. They will then create one of each on the Activboard. This flipchart includes links to websites and an Activote quiz.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: The First Thanksgiving
[Free Registration/Login Required] The children will learn about the first Thanksgiving.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: The First Thanksgiving
[Free Registration/Login Required] The students will learn about the first Thanksgiving and how it came to be. There is an assessment at the end of the flipchart.