Thanksgiving

Pilgrims

Thanksgiving LessonSecond Grade

ED 417

Done By:Mary Maxwell

&Missy Brindle

Rationale

• Thanksgiving is an important part of American Heritage. Students should learn the real story of the Pilgrims, Native Americans, and the Thanksgiving Feast.

Objectives:• To teach students

about the real story of Thanksgiving

• To eliminate stereotypes about Pilgrims and Native Americans

Objectives Cont…• To allow students to

experience life and food as they would have during the first Thanksgiving

• To allow students to express what they are thankful for

Materials Needed:

• Fill in book• Chart paper• Marker• Construction paper• Scissors • Glue• Crayons• Baby food jars

• Salt • Whip cream• Crackers• Copies of the song,

“Over the River”• Fill in book• Food that was served

at Thanksgiving

Websites:

• www.night.net/thanksgiving/s-over-river.html

• www.teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/Tlresources/longterm/LessonPlans/MonsonUnits/amychr/index.htm

Websites Cont…

• www.everythingesl.net/lessons/gobble.php

• www.theteacherscorner.net/seasonal/thanksgiving/songs.htm

• www.atozteacherstuff.com/lessons/ThanksgivingQuilt.html

Activity One:• What is a Pilgrim?

Activity Two:• We are Thankful Turkeys

Activity Three:• Making Butter

Activity Four:• Learn the song, “Over

the River”

Activity Five:• Thanksgiving Discussion and

Feast

Activity One: What is a Pilgrim?

• Ask students what they think a “Pilgrim” is.

• Record the students’ responses on chart paper.

• Read the book Molly’s Pilgrim, by Barbara Cohen.

• After reading this book, ask the students whether their opinions about Pilgrims have changed.

• Record their answers on the chart paper.

Activity Two:We are Thankful Turkeys

• Have the students make the body of a turkey out of construction paper.

• Give each student five different colored paper feathers.

• Have the students write something they are thankful for on each feather.

• After the class is done, have students take turns sharing with their peers.

• Display turkeys in the hall.

Activity Three:Making Butter

• Discuss with the class the differences of the food that the Pilgrims ate and the food that we eat in our daily lives.

• Explain that the Pilgrims could not just go to the store and buy supplies, they had to make all of their own food.

• Tell the class that they are going to try to make butter.

• Fill the jars half full with whip cream.• Screw the lid on and then shake the jar for about

five minutes.

Activity Three Cont…Making Butter

• Check to see if lumps of butter have formed, if not shake the jar until lumps appear.

• The lumps will form a ball.• Add a little salt to the ball of butter.• Spread the butter onto crackers to

taste.• Ask students if that butter tastes

like the butter they have at home.

Activity Four:Learn the song, “Over the River”

Over the river and the through the wood To Grandfather’s house we go.

The horse knows the way To carry the sleigh

Through white and drifted snow.

Over the river and through the wood—Oh, how the wind does blow!

It stings the toesAnd bites the nose,

As over the ground we go.

Song Cont…

Over the river and through the wood,Trot fast, my dapple gray!

Spring over the groundLike a hunting hound,

For this is Thanksgiving Day.

Over the river and through the wood—Now Grandmother’s cap I spy!

Hurrah for fun!Is the pudding done?

Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!

Activity Five:Thanksgiving Discussion and

Feast

• Read the story Cranberry Thanksgiving, by Wende and Harry Devlin.

• Assign the students either a Pilgrim or Native American.• Have them act out a play about how they may feel in this role. • What would they think of the other group? How would the Native

Americans feel towards the new Pilgrims? What would the Pilgrims feel about the Native Americans?

• After discussion, have the students sit together and enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

The End