Summary
You probably know this version of the Thanksgiving story: English settlers aboard the <i>Mayflower</i> arrive in America, tame the wilderness, and share a meal with their Native-American friends. But the truth behind this founding myth is far more interesting—and complicated! The Native Americans were the Wampanoag, a people that had already settled much of Massachusetts and Rhode Island thousands of years before. The settlers were mostly English Separatists who wanted to build a society based on their version of Christianity. The "friendship" between the two groups was more like a strategic pact—both sides wanted allies to protect against attack from other Native peoples. The Wampanoag allowed the British to settle in Plymouth, and sent a man named Tisquantum to teach them how to plant crops. With his help, the settlers celebrated a bountiful harvest the following year. And when the Wampanoag showed up to see what was going on, they joined in the festivities, too! But the traditions now associated with Thanksgiving didn't take hold for another two centuries, when President Abraham Lincoln established it as a national holiday. So, before you dig into turkey and pumpkin pie, take a moment to learn about the true story of Thanksgiving!
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
A few questions to talk through after watching Thanksgiving:
- What is one new thing you learned about thanksgiving?
- Can you explain it to a partner in your own words?
- Where might you see this in the real world?
- What is one question you still have?
Quick work-a-long
Try it:
- Write one sentence explaining thanksgiving.
- Draw or give one example of your own.