Books for Teaching the First Thanksgiving

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From Unit Plan: The First Thanksgiving

The following books are available in the Teacher Store.

Samuel Eaton's Day by Kate Waters
This book describes a day in Samuel Eaton's life. It gives the reader a glimpse of what it was like to be a young pilgrim boy in America. Use it to compare his life to modern day: chores, hobbies, clothing, etc.

Sarah Morton's Day by Kate Waters
This book describes a day in Sarah Morton's life. It gives the reader a glimpse of what it was like to be a young pilgrim girl in America. Use it to compare her life to modern day: chores, hobbies, clothing, etc.

If You Were at The First Thanksgiving by Anne Kamma
This book provides detailed descriptions of what the first Thanksgiving was like. Use it as a basis for information. The children will love the fun facts.

Other books I use with this unit:

Pilgrims: Complete Theme Unit Developed in Cooperation with the Pilgrim Hall Museum by Susan Moger
Extensive thematic unit, hands-on activities, and interesting facts enhance the most experienced teacher's Thanksgiving Unit! There are so many ideas in this book. Use one! Use all! Make an individual pilgrim book using many of the ideas. You can also make a Wampanog Indian Book!

Fresh and Fun Thanksgiving by Kathleen M. Hollenbeck
This book offers many ideas and activities to teach about Thanksgiving. Make a poem mimi-book using some of the poems in this book.

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims by B.G. Hennessy
This book is a counting story that depicts pilgrim and Indian life. It lends itself well to dramatization.

Indian Two Feet and His Horse by Margaret Friskey
This book is a beautiful read-aloud.

The Pilgrims and Me by Judy Donnelly
This book is a child's report of the pilgrims coming to America. It's another great read-aloud book for comparing pilgrim days with modern days.

Corn is Maiz by Aliki
This book is great information book chronicling the history of corn: a gift from the Indians. Make a corn product collage.

This First Thanksgiving Day: A Counting Story by Laura Krauss
Melmed
This book has beautiful illustrations of life during pilgrim times. It's a good read-aloud that can be used for comparing modern days with pilgrim days of long ago.

Why We Give Thanks
The origins of Thanksgiving can be traced back to a Native American called Squanto and the settlers of Plymouth Rock, known as the Pilgrims.

Volunteers Needed
How is the current economic crisis affecting the demand for services to the needy? And how has it affected the donations that keep those services coming? I recently visited the Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit, Michigan, to find out.

LESSON PLAN	Make an "I'm Thankful For..." Placemat Present a lesson plan for Thanksgiving including teaching students the Thanksgiving story through poetry and helping them make placemats with...
UNIT PLAN	Clifford Learns About the First Thanksgiving and So Do We! Students pose as pilgrims and reenact the thanksgiving feast in this playful approach to learning. Topics include the pilgrims' reasons for...
ONLINE ACTIVITY	The First Thanksgiving Explore the First Thanksgiving of the Pilgrims and Wampanoag, through audio and visual slideshows. Find out about their daily lives, the voyage...