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History
of American Thanksgiving Mini Unit Study
As those of us in the United States sit down and give thanks for
a delicious meal of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin
pie, how many of us will think about the history behind Thanksgiving
in America? Probably not many. So, why not spend some time before
Thanksgiving by giving the kids (and yourself) a brush-up on history
by looking at the facts vs. the myths behind one of the most popular
American holidays and have some fun while doing so.
In this mini unit study, you can: read about the real Thanksgiving
story, learn about the Native Americans who were present, uncover
a few Thanksgiving myths, examine primary source documents about
the first Thanksgiving, read the Thanksgiving Proclamation given
by George Washington, learn new Thanksgiving tunes, play the role
of a Thanksgiving historical detective, take the Thanksgiving
cyberchallenge and make a variety of Thanksgiving-themed craft
projects.
Reading
The Thanksgiving
story
Thanksgiving
myths
Life
as a Wampanoag
Primary
Source Documents
Accounts of
the first Thanksgiving
Read George
Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
Multimedia
Play the role
of historical detective and separate Thanksgiving myth vs. reality
Take
the Thanksgiving cyberchallenge
Add
music to your thanksgiving celebration with this selection of
turkey-day tunes
Projects
Make
a variety of Thanksgiving themed decorations for the home and
table (ranging from easy to challenging)
Recommended
Resource
A Pioneer Thanksgiving:
A Story of Harvest Celebrations in 1841
This book follows the Robertson family as they prepare for a celebration
of the harvest of 1841. The author spins a heartwarming and exciting
tale of the Robertson children's adventures gathering cranberries
for sauce and chestnuts for stuffing, making festival bread, and
listening to stories of the "hungry year" from old Mr.
Burkholder.
But readers are given more than a story: the text is filled with
related topics, including recipes, as well as instructions for
making craft projects and playing games from the time period.
There are also sections that explain actions and events from the
story. For example, a segment "Harvest Superstitions"
follows a chapter in the story in which Sarah Robertson sits at
her ailing grandmother's bedside making a corn dolly, a braided
straw doll that Granny insists must be ploughed into the earth
each spring to ensure a good harvest. A history of harvest celebrations
throughout the years ends the book. (Review from Booklist)
Book (Paperback)
Authors: Barbara Greenwood
Amazon Price: $6.95
Read
more about the book on Amazon
