Education World
You Are the Historian: Investigating the First Thanksgiving
Students examine the facts and myths that surround the "First Thanksgiving" (the harvest celebration of 1621) at Plimoth Colony. They study the role that historians play in the collection and dissemination of history and use their...
Curated OER
Proud Pilgrim Hats
Students research authentic information about the clothing worn by urban European immigrants who came to live in the Wampanoag village of Patuxet (now Plymouth, Massachusetts) in 1620. They recognize the types of hats worn by men and...
Curated OER
Comparison between Wampanoag and Pilgrims
Second graders compare and contrast the lives of Pilgrims and Wampanoag. Students conduct research using an interactive website and collect information about each group. Students then decide which they would rather be, a Pilgrim or a...
Curated OER
A Wampanoag Thanksgiving
Students examine how the Wampanoag tribe celebrated Thanksgiving. They discover how they helped the Pilgrims when they first came to the New World. They identify the similarities and differences between people.
Curated OER
Thanksgiving Then and Now
Students create a Venn diagram to compare the Pilgrim's "First Thanksgiving" with today's Thanksgiving celebration. They use one type of graphic organizer, a Venn diagram, talk and read about the Thanksgiving celebration of 1621 at...
Curated OER
Wampanoag Indians
Students read stories and listen to a brief lecture about the Wampanoag Indians, aspects of their culture and their role in the first Thanksgiving. They make a Wampanoag carrying pouch out of a paper bag and cook a corn cake as a class.
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...
C3 Teachers
C3 Teachers: Inquiries: Pilgrims and Wampanoag
A comprehensive learning module on relations between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag that includes three supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and source materials, followed by a summative performance task. Topics covered...
Other
Plimoth Plantation: What to Wear?: Wampanoag and Pilgrim Clothing
Compare the clothing of the Wampanoag people with the English clothing of the Pilgrims in the 1600s. Photographs provide clear images of how they would have dressed.
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...
Digital History
Digital History: Founding New England
A brief look at Squanto, the Native American who aided the Pilgrims as they settled Plymouth Colony.
Native American Art and Technology
Native Tech: Native American Beadwork: Display of Native American Beadwork
The Northeast Woodland Indians used many different materials to make their jewelry. Read about the materials, how they were used, and see pictures of different kinds of jewelry.
Native American Art and Technology
Native Tech: Native American Brass and Copper Work in Wire
Description of brass and copper wire ornaments made by tribes in the Northeast Woodland culture area.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Lesson Plan: The First Thanksgiving
Teachers deepen students' understanding of the first Thanksgiving as they discuss the Mayflower voyage, life in the colonies, the Wampanoag traditions, and an extensive look into this time period.
Other
Joseph Bruchac Home Page: Joseph Bruchac
This site is Joseph Bruchac's homepage. It provides links to his biography, a listing of his major works, and other online resources for the author. It also provides links to several of his poems to open or download on mp3.
Other
Pilgrim Hall: King Philip's War
This site is nicely organized and describes the war's impact on the colonists as well as the Indians.
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...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of the American Indian: Beyond the Thanksgiving Myth [Pdf]
This study guide gives information about the Native Americans who were living in the area where the Pilgrims landed in 1620 and information about the new settlers too. The myth of the title concerns the friendly meal shared by the...
Other
Study Notes: The New England Colonies
An outline of the important information to study on the establishment of the New England Colonies by the Puritans, first in the Massachusetts Bay area, and their evolution and expansion beyond that.
Mayflower History
Mayflower history.com: Tisquantum ("Squanto")
A detailed biography of the life of Tisquantum, known as Squanto. Covers some history of the Plymouth Colony and of relations between the colonists and the native peoples.
Mayflower History
Mayflower history.com: Massasoit Ousemequin
A biography of the life of Massasoit, the leader of the Wampanoag. It describes his interactions with the Plymouth Colony settlers and treaty negotiations between his tribe and the colony.
Mayflower History
Mayflower history.com: The Language of the Wampanoag
Describes some of the features of the Wampanoag language.
Read Works
Read Works: The Story of the First Thanksgiving
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text telling the story of the first Thanksgiving. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.