Do you want to know the truths and myths about Thanksgiving? Plymouth Plantation has created a website to teach you the truth about English colonists and Native Americans. Room 221 third graders spent some time exploring the website this afternoon. So much of what we know is based on ONE letter about "the first Thanksgiving" written by an English colonist in 1621. The children learned that this primary source gives us some answers, but also leaves historians with many questions. Let your third grader learn more about it at:
http://www.plimoth.org/education/olc/index_js2.html
Please check out the "museum exhibit" we created below. Third grade historians chose the heading, but the explanation is completely in their own words based on all they learned from the website.
The Room 221 community also discussed what Thanksgiving means to different people. Although I encouraged children to celebrate and enjoy their own traditions with family, I also asked them to pause and remember that not all people celebrate Thanksgiving. Some families who are relatively new to this country do not choose to celebrate the holiday. In addition, many Native Americans don't choose to celebrate Thanksgiving because they consider it a Day of Mourning. It's so important for all of us to remember different perspectives at all times of year.