Curated OER
The Settlement of New England
A thorough exploration of the Puritan Migration and settlement of Plymouth, this presentation is sure to engage your young historians with its clear maps and historical documents. The presentation differentiates the philosophies of...
Utah State University
Thanksgiving: A Celebration of Gratitude
Learn about the first Thanksgiving with a unit centered around the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians. First graders read and discuss books, create a mural, complete a worksheet about five blessings in their life, prepare...
Hubbard's Cupboard
The Pilgrims' First Thanksgiving
Students explore holidays by participating in class singing activities. In this Thanksgiving history lesson, students discuss the importance of Thanksgiving Day and read several poems which discuss the history of Thanksgiving. Students...
Curated OER
Thanksgiving History
First graders decode Thanksgiving vocabulary while learning about the history of this holiday. In this Thanksgiving history lesson plan, 1st graders listen to a story, trace their hands to make turkey feathers and listen to a...
Curated OER
Thanksgiving Dinner
Learners plan a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. In this Thanksgiving lesson, students compare and contrast the first Thanksgiving to Thanksgiving celebrations today. Learners plan a traditional Thanksgiving dinner and research the costs...
Curated OER
Thanksgiving Menu
Students explore the First Thanksgiving. In this U.S. history activity, students read about the Pilgrims and Native Americans and discuss how they obtained and prepared food. Students develop a possible first Thanksgiving menu and draw a...
Utah State University
Thanksgiving History
First graders examine the history of the first Thanksgiving and compare the first Thanksgiving with how we celebrate it today. They listen to and discuss the book "The Pilgrims' First Thanksgiving," answer discussion questions about the...
Utah State University
The First Thanksgiving
Second graders examine the development of the first Thanksgiving. They develop a list of the resources and technologies both the Pilgrims and the Indians shared with each other, listen to the book "The First Thanksgiving," and...
Scholastic
Scholastic: The First Thanksgiving
This is a site covering every aspect of the first Thanksgiving ever celebrated. There is a picture timeline, an interactive trip on the Mayflower, and wonderful descriptions of what the lives of the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians...
Stanford University
Beyond the Bubble: The First Thanksgiving
[Free Registration/Login Required] This history assessment measures students' ability to source a document, in this case a painting of the first Thanksgiving celebration. When historians interpret a document, they look at who wrote it...
Other
Plimoth Plantation: You Are the Historian
What really happened at the first Thanksgiving? Students will explore different aspects of the harvest celebration in 1621 through an interactive program provided by an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute.
Ancestry
The Pilgrims and Plymouth Colony: 1620
Study guide with loads of information about the pilgrims. Details everything from the religious beliefs of the pilgrims to what the Mayflower looked like, to the dogs on the ship, furniture, clothing, descriptions of medical practices on...
Library of Congress
Loc: Learning Page: Primary Source Set: Thanksgiving
A set of primary documents that reflect the Mayflower, Plymouth, Puritans, the first Thanksgiving, and legislation for the holiday.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Teaching With Dear America: Colonial Period
Activities useful in presenting American colonial life. Find references to novels, a colonial home, and a diary entry activity.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Myth and Truth: "The First Thanksgiving" [Pdf]
Contains plans for three lessons that examine the myth and reality behind the first Thanksgiving and the Wampanoag Native Americans in colonial America. In addition to objectives and standards, this instructional plan contains links to...
Mayflower History
Mayflower history.com: Brief History of Thanksgiving
Describes what is known about the history of Thanksgiving and of the first Thanksgiving held by the Pilgrims in 1621.
Read Works
Read Works: The First Thanksgiving
[Free Registration/Login Required] This informational text passage shares facts about the first Thanksgiving. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies and establishes...
Read Works
Read Works: The First Thanksgiving
[Free Registration/Login Required] This informational text passage describes the first Thanksgiving. This passage reinforces essential reading comprehension skills. Opportunities for vocabulary acquisition are also included. Several...
Read Works
Read Works: The Story of the First Thanksgiving
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the first Thanksgiving. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in understanding plot.
Other
Plimoth Plantation: Make It at Home
As part of the comprehensive Plimoth Plantation site, this page gives directions on how to create games that the Wampanoag children and Pilgrim children might have played. Find pictures that show how to make these games.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: New England Colonies: William Bradford; The First Thanksgiving
Plymouth Colony did not suffer the same problems as the English colony farther south, Jamestown. Read about the leadership of William Bradford, and the relationship between the settlers and the Native Americans who helped those who lived...
CommonLit
Common Lit: "The Plymouth Thanksgiving Story" by Chuck Larsen
A learning module that begins with "The Plymouth Thanksgiving Story" by Chuck Larsen, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through...
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...
Other
20/20 Technologies: Thanksgiving History
This site gives links that give the history and detail the first Thanksgiving in America. Links to primary source material.