Resources for Teaching Kids about Thanksgiving

I think we all have an image in our mind of what the first Thanksgiving might have looked like from books and movies that show somber Pilgrims dressed all in black and native people in blankets and feathers. We might even imagine the meal as somewhat similar to what we eat to celebrate Thanksgiving today.

But in reality, the Pilgrims (who didn’t call themselves that) and the natives probably looked a lot different than we might imagine, and there was definitely more shellfish and wild game on the tables at that first harvest celebration back in the 1620s.

For more on the truth of the first Thanksgiving and those that have come since, check out this article from National Geographic Kids.

Learn more about what the first Thanksgiving looked like and what life was like in the colonies in the 1600s with a virtual tour of Plimoth Plantation. They also have a great interactive adventure called You are the Historian that kids will love to explore to learn what really happened when the colonists and the Wampanoag celebrated together.

[Photo: Plimoth Plantation website.]

Looking for more thanksgiving crafts ? Check these out on our sister site Craftbits.com

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Turkey — CraftBits.com

Thanksgiving Turkey Legs Decoration — CraftBits.com

Fall Pumpkin Candle Holder — CraftBits.com

Thanksgiving Craft: Indian Candy Corns — CraftBits.com

Paper Turkey Centerpiece — CraftBits.com

Paper Fall Leaves — CraftBits.com

Thanksgiving Handprint Turkey — CraftBits.com

Thanksgiving Pinecone Turkey — CraftBits.com

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Learn about Indigenous People Who Made a Difference

Learning about Hanukkah is important for people of all faiths as a reminder that December isn’t just about Christmas and that their are many other important holidays that happen during this time. Hanukkah unit studies can give you ideas for incorporating the holiday into your holiday studies that happen in December, or to use at home for learning about people of different faiths.

Homeschool Superfreak has a lot of basic ideas for how to build a Hanukkah unit study, as well as FAQs about what Hanukkah is and why it is celebrated. This list is a good stargint point but doesn’t include all the details you’ll need. For example it says you can play the dreidel game but doesn’t explain how to do that or why it’s important. (If you need that information, this post from Mama Smiles is a good source.)

Teachers Pay Teachers has lots of great lesson plans and activities if you’re willing to pay a little bit to get some good content. Two I really like are this Hanukkah PowerPoint presentation from Shelia Melton, which provides a good overview of traditions, food and the history of Hanukkah; and a virtual field trip to Jerusalem from MagiCore, which includes lots of videos showing the city and activities like playing dreidel, drawing a menorah and making latkes. It’s a Google Drive folder and also includes writing activities and more for kids in second to fifth grade.

Kids Activities Blog has some simple printables with facts about Hanukkah and things kids can color in like a Star of David, sufganiyots (jelly doughnuts) and a menorah. These are great for learning the basics.

Homeschool Giveaways has a printable ebook about Hanukkah complete with questions kids can answer after they read. This would be a good one for older kids with good reading comprehension.

NurtureStore’s Hanukkah unit study includes a printable mini book, tons of crafts, as well as math and writing activities. I love the dominoes game that’s part of the unit.

And check out our previous posts for more Hanukkah crafts and learning activities!

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