Thanksgiving: Multiple Perspectives
Grade Levels: 8 - 12
Objectives
- Students will explore multiple perspectives about Thanksgiving celebrations in Plymouth, MA.
- Students will create a landmark that commemorates both the European Settlers and the Native American viewpoints concerning the Colonizing of America.
Materials
- Copies of A Not-So-Traditional Thanksgiving
- Paper
- Pencils
- Colored pencils
- Art supplies with which students can create landmarks (optional):
- Modeling clay
- Shoe boxes
- Feathers
- Canvas
- Paint
Procedures
- Distribute copies of A Not-So-Traditional Thanksgiving .
- As students read the article, ask them to keep a list of facts they learn from the handout that are new to them.
- Conduct a class discussion about the situation in Plymouth using the following questions:
- Why did Plymouth become "America's Hometown"?
- Does this tell you anything about the way American history is formed? If so, what?
- Why are Native Americans upset about the Plimoth Plantation and the Pilgrim Progress procession?
- What is the National Day of Mourning?
- What actions have the United American Indians of New England (UAINE) taken to commemorate the National Day of Mourning?
- Why don't the people of the Plymouth Historical Alliance change their depictions of the first settlers and Thanksgiving to appease (UAINE)? What would they argue is valid about their point of view?
- What is the symbolism of Plymouth Rock and why do the members of (UAINE) bury it each year?
- What do you think about this issue? Can you suggest ways for them to resolve the situation?
- Ask students to create their own landmarks commemorating both sides of the issue. They may either draw an illustration of their proposed landmark or create a small-scale model of it using various art supplies.
- Have each student present his landmark, along with an explanation of its symbolism, in front of the class.
Go to Pilgrim Study Unit Lesson Plans.
Walden University
Wondering about online education at Walden? Get answers to your questions, meet faculty, and learn what it's like to be a Walden student. Click here to check out our free Walden Forums!
2008 Summer Games
Celebrate this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing, China, with our resources, activities, and lessons. Try a Classroom Olympics lesson, find out more about the Top 10 Olympic Controversies, and learn more about the Modern Olympics.
Online Courses for Busy Teachers
Earn graduate credit with no commute. Finish in as few as 4 weeks. Facilitated online courses from Drake University and Pearson.
August Events
Find educational resources for every day in August. Be sure to fill your August lessons with activities for Inventor's Month and Family Fun Month.
Back to School Resources
Start the school year off with ease and enthusiasm! Our lesson plans, printables, activities, and advice range from taking attendance to learning about your new students. Learn the Top 10 Things Every Teacher Needs in the Classroom, find our Most Popular Bulletin Boards, make students feel at ease with Icebreakers, and much more!
Drama Resources
Explore our drama resources – from Shakespearean plays to The Miracle Worker to Readers Theater – to widen your curricular focus. Students will enjoy the change of pace that putting on a classroom play will bring!
ADD/ADHD Resources
From frequently asked questions to assessment accommodations, these articles and resources will help you to deal with the special nature of students with ADD/ADHD.
