Thanksgiving: A Historical Perspective

Thanksgiving is a great tradition in American history, however much of what we know is more folklore than truth.

In this 7-day lesson plan, you'll explore the historical narrative of Thanksgiving–who the Pilgrims were, why they left England, what life on the Mayflower and in the New World was like, who the Wampanoag Indians were and how they lived, as well as how the iconic Thanksgiving feast came about.

The final lesson in the unit is on what it means to be grateful and attempts to help walk a child think through what they’re grateful for in their own life.

In the Resources section, you’ll find a list of helpful books to explore the subject along with plenty of links to articles, videos, and crafts/activities to accompany the unit.