Celebrations and Holidays

Abby Baker

9/8/09

Social Studies Standard 1 - History

Indicator K.1.2

Identify celebrations and holidays as a way of remembering and honoring people, events and America’s ethnic heritage.

Example: Identify Thanksgiving, Columbus Day, Grandparent’s Day, and birthdays.

Taken from:

http://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/AcademicStandards/StandardSearch.aspx

Link to:

http://www.indianastandardsresources.org/files/soc/ss_k_1_2_b.pdf

Definitions

Thanksgiving – the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgements of benefits, or favors.

Pilgrims – an original settler in a region

Holiday – religious feast day, holy day, etc.

Taken from:http://dictionary.reference.com/

Background Information

In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast which is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. This harvest meal has become a symbol of cooperation and interaction between English colonists and Native Americans. Although this feast is considered by many to the very first Thanksgiving celebration, it was actually in keeping with a

long tradition of celebrating the harvest and giving thanks for a successful bounty of crops. Native American groups throughout the Americas, including the Pueblo, Cherokee, Creek and many others organized harvest festivals, ceremonial dances, and other celebrations of thanks for centuries before the arrival of Europeans in North America. Taken from: http://www.history.com/content/thanksgiving/the-first-thanksgiving

What comes to mind when you hear the word Thanksgiving?

Pilgrims

Indians

Turkey

Lots of food

Family

Tradition

Etc.

Thanksgiving Day by Gail Gibbons

Read the book aloud to the class.

Book Description from Amazon.comBright pictures and simple sentences make this thoroughlyAmerican holiday accessible and fun for the youngest readers andlisteners. Gibbons covers the historical aspects and modern customs associated with this holiday. A must for elementary libraries or young children's private collections and a great prelude to craft-making or other Thanksgiving activities.

Taken from:www.amazon.com

Thanksgiving Past & Present

Things Pilgrims Were Thankful for:

- food

- family

-friends

- place to live

- health

Things We Are Thankful for:

- family

- friends

- food

- home/house

- pets

- health

Activity/Expressive Arts

Now the students will receive the placemat (the teacher will have prepared before lesson), and the students will be asked to write down the different things they are thankful for in their lives.

The paper will be divided into four sections. Each section the student will write an object/item/person, etc that they are thankful for and will also draw a picture of this item.

Topics for Discussion and Review

What did the pilgrims have to be thankful for?

What do you have to be thankful for?

Can you think of another holiday that helps you remember a person or something important that happened?

References

BOOKSThanksgiving Day by Gail Gibbons

WEBSITESwww.dictionary.com

www.amazon.com

http://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/AcademicStandards/StandardSearch.aspx

http://www.indianastandardsresources.org/files/soc/ss_k_1_2_b.pdf