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Are you looking for free resources to help you teach Thanksgiving history this fall? Below is a GIANT list of free resources from around the web to help you do just that.
I’ve organized all this Thanksgiving goodness by type of resource. So, hopefully, it’s easy to find what you’re looking for. This list has something for everyone, with resources for every age, preschool through high school.
So get looking!;) And, have fun learning some early American History!
Free Thanksgiving History Resources
Historical Background
Mayflower Compact from US History
The Pilgrims & The Mayflower Compact from The Mayflower Society
Thanksgiving & George Washington from Mount Vernon
Did you have a descendant on the Mayflower? Browse American Ancestors or go directly to their database search.
Children in Plimoth Colony from Plimoth Patuxet Ancestors
Plimoth Colony Timeline and other important historical documents from Plimoth Patuxet Ancestors
Biographical Profiles of colonists from Plimoth Patuxet Ancestors
Mayflower Passenger List from Mayflower History
How Big is Plymouth Rock? from Wonderopolis
Plymouth Rock Facts & Photos from See Plymouth
Are You Teaching the Real Story of the First Thanksgiving? from Education World
Finding Accurate Thanksgiving History Books for Kids from Oaxacaborn
Lesson Plans
Painted Pilgrims (Gr. 6-8) from Pilgrim Hall Museum
WILLIAM BRADFORD: the pen & the person (Gr. 9-12) from Pilgrim Hall Museum
Thanksgiving Ideas for the Classroom (Gr. 9-12) from NEA
*All of the following lesson plans are from Scholastic. They are listed by grade with the Scholastics Teaching guide first and then direct links to each lesson plan for that grade.
The First Thanksgiving Teacher’s Activity Guide Home Page
Scholastic Teaching Guide Grades K-2
Voyage on the Mayflower for Grades PreK–2
Pilgrim and Wampanoag Daily Life for Grades PreK–2
The First Thanksgiving Feast for Grades PreK–2
Scholastic Teaching Guide Grades 3-5
Voyage on the Mayflower for Grades 3–5
Pilgrim and Wampanoag Daily Life for Grades 3–5
The First Thanksgiving Feast for Grades 3–5
Scholastic Teaching Guide Grades 6-8
Voyage on the Mayflower for Grades 6–8
Pilgrim and Wampanoag Daily Life for Grades 6–8
The First Thanksgiving Feast for Grades 6–8
Videos, Games, & Virtual Tours
Short Videos for Kids About the First Thanksgiving from Learning Online Blog
The following videos are from History Channel’s History of Thanksgiving Videos:
Kids History: The First Thanksgiving
Deconstructing History: Mayflower
Bet You Didn’t Know: Thanksgiving
History Channel – Mayflower Topics
The following are from Scholastic and Plimoth Plantation:
Voyage on the Mayflower Virtual Tour
Plimoth Plantation Virtual Tours
Interactive History Detective Activity: You are the Historian
17th Century English Village Video
Check out the area and its history with the fun virtual tours below.
Plymouth Massachusetts Home of The Pilgrims Drone Aerial Views
Primary Sources
George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789 from Mount Vernon
Throwback Thursday – Thanksgiving at Times of National Turmoil from New York Times. A list of Archival Articles on Thanksgivings from 1917-2012
Library of Congress Teacher’s Guide to Primary Sources
LOC -Gazette of the United-States., October 07, 1789, Image 1
LOC –Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth 11th Dec. 1620
LOC -Thanksgiving in Camp image
Lincoln and Thanksgiving from NPS
Wampanoag
Contact Timeline for Mashpee Wampanoag from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
Who are the Wampanoag? from Plimoth Plantation
Wampanoag Fun & Games from Plimoth Plantation
Picture dictionary Wampanoag animal words from Native Languages
Fun with Wampanoag words from the WÔPANÂAK Language Reclamation Project
Wampanoag Folktales and Traditional Stories from Native Languages
Crafts, Projects, & Activities
Below you’ll find a hodgepodge of crafts and fun activities to teach Thanksgiving History.
To start, check out the super fun Measure the Mayflower Math Activity I did with my kids to help them understand the size of the Mayflower.
Milk Carton Mayflower from Stir the Wonder
Thanksgiving with Stained Glass from Renee at Great Peace
Simple Thanksgiving Learning Projects from Sallie Borrink
Thanksgiving STEM Activities from The Learning Hypothesis
Retelling the Story of the First Thanksgiving from Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers
Christian Thanksgiving Object Lesson: Pilgrim in a Bottle from Christian Homeschool Moms
Writing Prompts About the First Thanksgiving by Write Shop
Free Printables
10 Thanksgiving History Conversation Starters from iHomeschoolNetwork
Thanksgiving Reading Comprehension for Upper Elementary and Middle Grades from The Learning Hypothesis
Cranberry Thanksgiving Lapbook from Homeschool Share
Thanksgiving Printable Pack from This Crazy Homeschool Life
Free Thanksgiving Timeline from a Teaching Mommy
Thanksgiving Writing Activity from Teach Beside Me
Thoughts on Thanksgiving: A Holiday Essay from Beyond Mommying
Pilgrim Sentence Scramble Activity from Sallie Bornick
Thanksgiving Coloring pages from Crayola
Thanksgiving Coloring Pages from Free Coloring Pages
I hope this list gives you some great resources and fun ideas for learning Thanksgiving history this year.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Heidi
