Curated OER
Thank You Notes
Students investigate the history of presidential proclamations and develop their own Thanksgiving Proclamations, highlighting current issues and sentiments.
Curated OER
National Turkey Off to Disneyland
Students share their holiday traditions, then read about an American Thanksgiving custom. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the news article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, the students participate in a...
Curated OER
Pilgrims: The First Americans
Fifth graders become familar with the pilgrims and first Thanksgiving through essays about important people of the time. For this Thanksgiving lesson, 5th graders choose an important figure from the time of the Pilgrims and write a two...
Curated OER
Thanksgiving: Traditions
Students investigate the traditions and history around Thanksgiving. They divide into groups and research specific aspects of the holiday. Students then share their findings with the rest of the class. They also complete crafts,...
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Thanksgiving
First graders examine the reasons for the Thanksgiving celebration in the United States. They research information about what type of items were used in the past and items that are currently used. They investigate life on the Mayflower...
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Thanksgiving: a History of Today's Celebration
Students recognize the historical development of the Thanksgiving holiday. They identify Thanksgiving traditions and symbolism. They share what they are thankful for.
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Colonization and American Indian Perspectives
Learners investigate the colonization of the United States by researching Thanksgiving. In this U.S. history lesson, students discuss the concept of Thanksgiving, who created it and what it was intended to do. Learners practice letter...
Scholastic
Make a Mini Mayflower
Students discover the importance and history behind the Thanksgiving feast. Using walnut shells and toothpicks, they construct models of the Mayflower and simulate giving them to the Native Americans for helping the Pilgrims survive.
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Thanksgiving and Agriculture
Students listen to the book "The Pilgrim Story" and discuss the Pilgrims and why they came to America. Students role play the Thanksgiving story and write about how Pilgrims and Indians relate to them today.
Agriculture in the Classroom
A Rafter of Turkeys
How did that turkey get from the early Aztec culture to your table? Learn about the history of wild and domesticated turkeys in North America, as well as their inclusion in Thanksgiving traditions, with a two-part agricultural science...
Curated OER
Blessing Boxes
Students create "Blessing Boxes" to show what they are thankful for in this Art lesson ideal for the Thanksgiving holiday. The materials needed include empty (and clean) milk cartons, brown construction paper, and magic markers.
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American Thanksgiving Through Time
Students explore five web sites in order to identify the various ways Thanksgiving has been celebrated in the past and how it is celebrated today. They consider the diversity of United States and this affects celebrations of the day.
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The First Thanksgiving: The Pilgrim’s Journey
Students discuss history. In this pilgrims lesson, students discover what life was like for people coming over to the New World on the Mayflower. They participate in class discussions as the teacher navigates through a Scholastic website...
Curated OER
Paper Bag Pilgrim Dolls
Stuents create paper bag versions of "pilgrim dolls" in this excellent Art instructional activity for the time just before Thanksgiving break. The plan uses staples or glue to attach dolls and includes a picture diagram and two...
Curated OER
Paper Bag Turkeys
Pupils create paper bag versions of turkeys using old newspapers, paint, brown paper bags, and pre-cut turkey "heads" in this Art lesson for the pre-Kindergarten to 2nd grade classroom. The lesson can be used prior to Thanksgiving break.
Curated OER
Stereotyping of Native Americans
Here is a lesson that covers the stereotyping of Native Americans in American culture is here for you. Learners see that there are many instances of stereotyping that are an accepted part of our society. After a lengthy discussion, a...
Curated OER
Pilgrim's Progress- Get on the Boat
Students investigate the Pilgrims and their journey. In this history lesson, students role play the journey of the Pilgrims and discuss the conditions of the Mayflower. Students record their feelings about the "journey" in a journal.
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Thanksgiving (ESL)
Learners investigate a traditional American Thanksgiving. They recreate the first Thanksgiving in the classroom complete with food and appropriate decorations.
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Freedom Fighters Throughout American History
Students use the internet to research people who have contributed to the cause of freedom. They identify examples of freedom which are important to them and categorize them. In groups, they create a timeline of the Freedom Fighters and...
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Colonial Customs
Students experience Colonial life and explore the customs of the 17th century. In this colonial America lesson plan, students play dress up, barter items, author pledges, and review 17th century etiquette.
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Life on Plymouth Plantation
Third graders research life of Plymouth Plantation and write letters about life there home. In this Plymouth life lesson, 3rd graders complete a webquest as they gather information about the journey to America on the Mayflower and the...
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A Lucky Break
Explore idioms with a chicken theme! Consider doing these activities prior to Thanksgiving, as there's a section about wishbones! First your youngsters will match a short list of idioms with their meanings. Then, give each learner the...
Curated OER
Toilet Paper Tube Turkey
Students create "toilet paper tube" turkeys in this Thanksgiving Day art lesson for the early elementary classroom. The lesson suggests using toilet paper tubes, construction paper, googly eyes, scissors, and glue to create each turkey.
Curated OER
Point of View
Class members examine depictions of Thanksgiving in various mediums and discuss how point of view influences the composition and presentation of the work. While the focus here is on important events in American history as seen from the...