Title: Lesson 1 "Thanksbeginning !" 

Grade Level:  4th or 5th

Subject(s):  Social Studies, Language Arts, Health

Learner Outcomes:  The students will:

• listen to an introductory story
• take a surf the web
• research Pilgrim/Native American lifestyles through readings
• use prior knowledge to make comparisons
• contribute to a group discussion
• do a word search
• take a quiz
• create a "then and now" book

Duration of the Lesson:  two 45 minute lessons

Materials:

• book:  The First Thanksgiving  by Jean Craighead
• computer
• word search
• quiz
• paper, pencils, crayons

• Internet access and browser

• Acceptable use policy must be signed by all students and parents/guardians must be on file.

•  listen to the introductory story
•  surf the Plimoth-On-The Web site to see pictures and read information about the Pilgrims, Native Americans present, their life styles, and the first Thanksgiving celebrated.
•  do a fun word search
•  discuss changes in life from then to now in small groups and then share with the whole class.
• Provide students with materials to create a "then and now" book using knowledge gained in their research along with present day knowledge to describe and illustrate major differences in time frames.  Encourage creativity in styles of presentation.
•  take a quiz

• book:  The First Thanksgiving, by Jean Craighead
• available computer
• word search
• variety of paper, pencils, crayons, markers, glue, scissors

Enrichment Activities:

• Students will work in small groups to research a game played in the Pilgrim's time frame and teach them to interested individuals during recess.

Evaluation/Assessment:  Students will:

• complete a "then and now" book
• complete a quiz

     Language Arts:
       4.8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,19
       5.16,22,26,27,31,32,35,52,53,54
 

     Health:
       4.6,8,9,11,23,25,27
       5.3,4,5,8,12,13,17.18

     Social Studies:
       4.26
       5.3,4,5,7,8,12,13,17,33
 

National Standards:

     Health:
                           3.
                             Understands the relationship of family health to
                             individual health
                           7.
                             Knows how to maintain and promote personal
                            health
                           8.
                             Knows essential concepts about the prevention and
                             control of disease

       Social Studies:  Grades K-4 History Standards:
                           2.
                               Understands cultural and ecological interactions
                               among previously unconnected people resulting
                               from early European exploration and colonization

      United States History Standards: Era 1

                           1.
                              Understands family life now and in the past, and
                              family life in various places long ago
                           2.
                              Understands the history of a local community and
                              how communities in North America varied long ago
        Language Arts:
                            4.
                               Gathers and uses information for research
                               purposes
                            7.
                               Uses reading skills and strategies to understand
                               and interpret a variety of informational texts
                            9.
                               Uses viewing skills and strategies to understand
                               and interpret visual media
 

Resources:

• Historical Theme Dining
• The Plimoth Plantation Museum Page
• The 1627 Pilgrim Village
• Hobbamock's Homesite

• The First Thanksgiving, by Jean Craighead:  Amazon.com  $5.30 new;o.98 used  (grades 4-8)

Marcy Bisher
Deborah Hinkle
Rebecca Custer
 
 

Overview

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4

Lesson 5