The First Thanksgiving
The Pilgrims reached the New World in the fall of 1620. They landed at Plymouth
Rock, in what is now Massachusetts.
The first winter was very hard. They had little food. It was too cold to
grow more. Many Pilgrims got sick. Many died.
The next spring, they went to work. They planted seeds. They watched them
grow.
When fall came, they had plenty of food. They harvested the crops. They stored
them for winter. Then they gave thanks.
For one week, they prayed. They ate. And they played. Friendly Indians joined
them for three days of the feast. A new tradition had begun.
Understand It
For answers to these questions, click
here.
Answer the following questions:
- When did the Pilgrims reach the New World?
- What happened during the first winter?
- Why did they have plenty of food the next fall?
- How did they celebrate?
Challenge Question:
- How do you think the Pilgrims traveled to the New World? Why?
- Why do you think they celebrated the first Thanksgiving?
Talk About It
Talk about the following questions. There are no right or wrong
answers.
- How do you think the Pilgrims felt during the first winter?
- Do you think more of the Pilgrims could have survived if they had landed in the spring instead of the fall? Why or why not?
- Why do you think the Pilgrims prayed?
Write About It
- The Pilgrims left their homeland to travel hundreds of miles across the ocean to a strange new world. What would it take to make you leave your home, your family, and your friends? Write about it.
- The first winter was very hard for the Pilgrims. Imagine that you were one of them. List words that might describe your feelings.
Research It
Use a map and a history book to find the answers to these questions.
- Where is Massachusetts? Where is Plymouth Rock?
- Why did the Pilgrims travel to the New World?
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E-mail it to ideas@theholidayzone.com!
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