Is what we celebrate in America today based on fact or myth? Did the pilgrims and the Native Americans really have a peaceful relationship that lead to a beautiful sharing feast? What primary documents exist to document the historical event?
Dispelling the myths and finding out what historians have to say on this topic is one of my favorite lessons of the Thanksgiving season. I share a comprehensive website that helps illustrate and teach the history behind the holiday.
Even the opening of the website can be dramatic and I add drama by reading it in a voice that gets the attention of the students. Then we imagine our trip in the time machine back to 1621.
Within the website, you can first sort pictures based on myth and fact. Next, view the only primary document about the Harvest Celebration of 1621 written by Edward Winslow. The historians help you to understand what is written and help you and your students draw conclusions.
Another segment of the website allows you to delve deeper into the lives of the English Colonists and the Wampanoag People.
Extremely interesting is examining the time line leading up to the 1621 Harvest Celebration and the opposing points of view. Most students (and adults) have never heard these specific pieces of information or facts from history. Seeing the story from both points of view is integral to the learning of the truths behind the holiday that we celebrate today.
The website does provide a teacher’s guide. The ages of your students will dictate how much of the site you will share together. It usually takes me almost a complete hour to share the whole site with upper elementary students. With lower elementary children I pick and choose what aspects I want to address and shorten the lesson.
Concluding the lesson I focus on what we believed to be true when we started and some key differences we learned and then how we can share these with our family members as we gather around our own feasts to give thanks. One key point I try to make sure everyone learns is that a "Day of Thanksgiving" for the colonists meant a very long day in church. What they were engaging in was actually a Harvest Celebration and how these two ideas merge for us as people who have much to be thankful for and really don’t worry too much about the harvest to sustain us through the winter.
Visit http://plimoth.org/education/olc/ to experience this website for yourself and to share with your students.
Download a free resource packet that includes this activity along with more Thanksgiving Ideas and Activities at http://technologylessonsforteachers.com
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