What was the Mayflower Compact? Watch a video that explains the purpose of coming to New England on the Mayflower and the social compact that bound the Pilgrims to the government and laws that would be created in the new land.

The journey aboard the Mayflower in 1620 was long and arduous for the Pilgrims set for the New World. Learn about the difficulties of the expedition, including the extended timeframe and cramped quarters, with an informative reading...

Learners consider how the Mayflower Compact created a sense of order for the new residents of North America. Video clips include a scholar and a re-enactor playing Plymouth Gov. William Bradford, and others include Native American...

How did the Pilgrims arrive to America? Middle schoolers graph ordered pairs on a coordinate system, connect the points, and discover a mystery picture—the Mayflower.

Following an online activity, scholars complete a Grafitti Wall in which small groups write words and phrases on chart paper pertaining to Pilgrims, the Mayflower, and Thanksgiving. Pupils perform a close reading then answer a series of...

After completing an online activity about the Mayflower, scholars draw a picture about what they know of the Thanksgiving holiday, including a one-sentence summary. A reading of If You Were at the First Thanksgiving by Anne Kamma is the...

Imagine living in the hold of a sailing ship for 63 days, enduring rough seas and autumn storms. As part of a study of the voyage of the Mayflower, class members examine an online resource that details life about the ship, watch a slide...

John Howland was a passenger on the Mayflower who's had many famous descendants. What's so special about name on the manifest? Watch to find out.

Scholars obtain a brief background of the Mayflower Compact, read its contents, and answer two questions that look at the passage's context to enhance reading comprehension.     

Fourth graders explore the events leading up to the Mayflower Compact. In this government lesson, 4th graders have a teacher-led class discussion on the importance of government, then complete a worksheet on the topic.

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.

Students explore the Pilgrims and the Mayflower Compact. They practice these concepts by examining the school rules.

Eighth graders investigate historical documents of the United States by reading the Mayflower Compact.  For this U.S. History lesson, 8th graders analyze the wording of the original Mayflower Compact of the first U.S. settlers and...

Second graders use a meter tape to compare the length of the Mayflower to a basketball court and make homemade butter for crackers. Afterward, all students sit inside the makeshift Mayflower's dimensions and enjoy their Pilgrim butter.

Students build a miniature replica of the Mayflower. They make the boat float in a cup of water while studying the concept of gift giving on Feast Day.

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...

Here's a great comprehension worksheet that models for young readers how to focus on short sections of a complicated text and then to create a summary of the entire document based on their understanding of the sections.

Fourth graders investigate the hardships Pilgrims faced on the Mayflower and Speedwell. In this Pilgrim instructional activity, 4th graders listen to an account of the Pilgrim's voyage from Plymouth, England to present day Massachusetts....

Students examine the characteristics of a pilgrim. They discover what it was like traveling on the Mayflower as well. They create their own Mayflowers and share them with the class.

Students create a Mayflower craft object. In this visual arts lesson, students cut out sails and waves from construction paper and glue Popsicle sticks to the sails.

After over 66 days of sailing across the Atlantic on the Mayflower, the Pilgrims met their worst enemy: winter. Watch a video that discusses the difficulties and deaths the passengers faced once they arrived to Plymouth during the winter...

Students explore the concept of social contracts. In this Mayflower Compact lesson plan, students read handouts regarding the compact and participate in a classroom activity that requires them to author a social contract.

Students create a model of the Mayflower. In this early childhood lesson plan, students engage in dramatic play while reenacting the Pilgrims and the Mayflower. Students listen as the instructor reads On the Mayflower by Kate Waters.

Students research so they can write a story about a passenger on the Mayflower. They can also be divided into groups and role play the part of the passengers.