American Heroes and Holidays
Session 6: Thanksgiving Day

Materials

• Teacher-selected book about Thanksgiving Day
• Construction paper
• Crayons
• Calendar

Instructional Activities

1. Have the students share their knowledge of Thanksgiving on a KWL chart. Encourage the students to share family traditions that might occur on Thanksgiving. Tell the students that Thanksgiving Day is observed on the last Thursday in November.
   
   
2. Use the students’ background knowledge to introduce the history of Thanksgiving Day.
   
   
3. Read a teacher-selected book about Thanksgiving. Allow the students time to respond to the both the pictures and the text. Ask questions about the observations they make from the story.
   
   
4. Explain the first Thanksgiving was celebrated less than a year after the settlers arrived on the new land they called their home. The first winter was long and hard. The following fall brought a good harvest and crops and there was reason to celebrate. The settlers had much to be thankful for and celebrated with the American Indians (First Americans), who helped the settlers get through that first winter.
   
   
5. Tell the students that Thanksgiving Day is a day to remember the sharing of the harvest with the American Indians (First Americans). It is observed in November.
   
   
6. Assist the students to locate Thanksgiving Day on a November calendar.
   
   
7. Have the students draw a picture of how they observe Thanksgiving Day.