Purpose: Fellowship, food, education in the form of an opportunity for our kids to research, study and prepare a presentation about the first Thanksgiving (public speaking skills). Their presentation does not have to be long, detailed or polished. This is a good starting point for the younger children, even if they only tell one fact.
2 Weeks Before Feast Day
Each family began their own unit study/research. Each child is asked to dress in character and present something they have learned; it can be a poem, a song, a reenactment, a speech, whatever they want.
Ways to document/incorporate their studies:
- Make notes on your history timeline.
- Make a binder or lapbook that can be added to each year.
- Look on Pinterest for several good ideas for timelines, binders and lapbooks.
- Look up quotes from William Bradford or others for copy-work.
- Use words from your reading (or video research) for vocabulary and spelling.
Possible Topics:
- Characters- William Bradford, King of England, Samoset, etc…
- Natives or Pilgrims in General
- The Mayflower
- Food
- Life Before the Pilgrims Came
- Clothing
- Education
- Recreation (children’s games)
- Worship/Faith
- The Common House
- How They Built Their Houses
- Music of the Time - instruments/hymns
- Weapons
- Hunting
- Agriculture
Resources
These are a few books and videos our family used for our research.
Books
- The Story of the Pilgrims
- Squanto and the Thanksgiving Miracle
- If You Sailed On the Mayflower in 1620
- Of Plymouth Plantation
Free Videos
YouTube is a great, just create a playlist before you have your children watch to avoid ‘trash’ showing up on the sidebar. This is the list I made, some are educational and some are just for fun. I will be adding to this as time goes on.
- YouTube
- The History Channel - 16 short clips
Costume Ideas
- Pinterest has several costume ideas, here is my board.
- Here is a video how-to.
- Indian Costume
- YouTube also has some costume tutorials.
1 Week Before Feast Day
Plan a menu having each family bring a couple of things, whether you stick to an authentic early American meal or not. It is real interesting to learn what they did have and what they didn’t at that first gathering. Can you imagine “Thanksgiving” without mashed potatoes?
Here are a few pictures from our first annual feast. I hope we can build on it each year!
Olivia made these beautiful centerpieces for the tables.
We gathered several tables. Thankfully we had a gorgeous day!
Sweet friends!
It was hard to get pictures of the boys. They were busy building new settlements in the woods or playing football!
A couple of our husbands lead a time of singing and worship.
The kids did great with their presentations.
A time for giving thanks for another baby on the way!
My girls!!!
6 month pregnant Emma!
Vickie says:
Some great ideas here. Might want to edit the first paragraph though
(pubic speaking skills)
Kathy says:
LOL… Thanks!
6 arrows says:
This looks delightful, Kathy! We’re having extended family here for Thanksgiving, and I’ve been thinking about ways to make the lead-up to and the celebration of the holiday special and memorable. What neat ideas you have presented here! (I don’t think we’ll be eating outside, though, as this is the fourth — or is it the fifth now? — consecutive day that snow has fallen here this season!)
Thanks for sharing!