Teaching Themes
Thanksgiving: Everything You Need
Students will see beyond the kids table, as they research the significance of Thanksgiving.
Articles
A Feast of Thanksgiving Ideas and Crafts
Grades: 1–2
Twenty-two tips on how to teach the history of Thanksgiving responsibly, as well as activities that go beyond Pilgrim hats and hand turkeys
Articles
Why We Give Thanks
Grades: 3–5, 6–8
Learn about the origins of Thanksgiving, from Squanto and the Pawtuxet tribe to the Pilgrims and the Plymouth Colony.
Thanksgiving Day
Grades: Early Childhood, Infant, PreK–K, 1–2, 3–5
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Interactive Whiteboard Activities The First ThanksgivingGrades: PreK–K, 1–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–12 Interactive activities, lesson plans, and virtual field trips to Plimoth Plantation help bring the history of Thanksgiving to life. |
Readers Theater Scripts First Thanksgiving Reader's Theater IdeasGrades: 3–5 Transcripts of interviews with historical interpreters from Plimoth Plantation to use as inspiration for Thanksgiving reader's theater |
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Computer Lab Activities, Interactive Whiteboard Activities, Online Learning Activities Thanksgiving Web Quest: A First Thanksgiving ActivityGrades: 3–5 Students set off on fact-finding missions to learn about the Pilgrims, the Wampanoag people, and the famous harvest feast! |
The Pilgrims Were ThankfulGrades: PreK–K Project a colorful digital issue of Clifford magazine that explores Thanksgiving with a video, a sorting game, and more! |
Talk Like a Pilgrim: A Let's Find Out Digital IssueGrades: PreK–K, 1–2 Learn how Pilgrim children talked in this digital issue of Let’s Find Out magazine... |
How Did They Live? A Let’s Find Out Digital Issue (in Spanish)Grades: PreK–K, 1–2 Find out how the pilgrims lived in this digital issue of Let’s Find Out Spanish. |
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Articles Reader's Theater Play: Talk Like a PilgrimGrades: 1–2 Learn how pilgrim children talked in this Scholastic News play. |
Good Thanksgiving Manners: A Clifford Digital IssueGrades: PreK–K, 1–2 Read about Thanksgiving manners in this digital issue of Clifford magazine. |
The Thanksgiving Pie ProjectGrades: 3–5, 6–8 Students, parents, and teachers from Tuxedo Park Elementary School come together for a sweet project to help feed those in need this holiday season.... |
CyberHunt: The Wampanoag Way of LifeGrades: 3–5 Enhance your students' cyber skills with this Thanksgiving-themed search! |
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Lesson Plans Thanksgiving Lessons for Grades PreK-2Grades: PreK–K, 1–2 Give younger students an in-depth look into the First Thanksgiving with this lesson that helps them understand the experiences of the Pilgrims on... |
Book Resources, Lesson Plans Franklin's Thanksgiving Lesson PlanGrades: PreK–K, 1–2 Franklin is sad that his grandma and grandpa won't be able to join his family for Thanksgiving. But, after Franklin and his family invite surprise... |
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Online Learning Activities Milly and the Macy's Parade ActivityGrades: PreK–K, 1–2, 3–5 These activities and printables make the perfect accompaniments for students reading the Milly and the Macy's Parade holiday picture book. |
Thanksgiving Day Parade Takes a New TurnGrades: 3–5, 6–8 In its 83rd year, the famous New York City parade says goodbye to Broadway and follows a new route |
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Online Learning Activities, Articles Internet Field Trip: Before the PilgrimsGrades: 3–5, 6–8 Provides Web sites with information on the peoples before the pilgrims. The Vikings, the Pueblo Indians, and the Wampanoag are featured. |
Internet Field Trip: Looking for Thanksgiving Sites?Grades: 3–5, 6–8 Provides Web sites with information about Thanksgiving. Also suggests teaching ideas and relevant children's books. Plymouth Plantation, the... |
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Articles The Thanksgiving LessonGrades: PreK–K, 1–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–12 Not every teacher would take first graders to homeless shelters or to visit the mayorâeuro™s office. I do. |
Lesson Plans Thanksgiving Lessons for Grades 3-5Grades: 3–5 Take a closer look at the historical significance of the Pilgrims' voyage, settlement, and first harvest celebration. |
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Lesson Plans Thanksgiving Lessons for Grades 6-8Grades: 6–8 Focus on the relationships between the Pilgrims and Wampanoags that First Thanksgiving, and explore their experiences, actions, and decisions as... |
Colonial CustomsGrades: PreK–K, 1–2, 3–5, 6–8 Experience Colonial life by exploring the customs of the 17th century. |



















