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Alabama Course of Study:

Behavioral Objective: 

The students will be able to:
Understand the reasons why the Pilgrims and other passengers came to America.

Review the history of the Pilgrims Thanksgiving.

Materials:

v     Chalkboard

v     Large colored paper

v     15 pieces of small paper

v     Art supplies (crayons, scissors etc.)

Teaching/Learning Process:

A.    Motivation:


I will first ask, "What is a Pilgrim?"  I will then ask, "Have you ever heard of the Mayflower? What is the Mayflower?"  I will write their responses on the chalkboard.
B.    Instructional Procedure: 
1.  After listening to the student's responses, I will explain to them that a Pilgrim is someone who travels to a far off place because of his or her religion.
2.  I will also explain to the students that the Pilgrims once lived in England and lived in a very unhappy and difficult environment.  They wanted to come to the United States so that they would be free.   They came to the United States in September 1620 on a big ship called the Mayflower. 
3.  That it was very crowded, over 120 people were on the Mayflower and 33 of those people were children.  I will ask the students what they think it was like to be a child on the Mayflower.  I will have them discuss what kinds of food they think they ate and what their life must have been like once they got to America.  I will discuss with the class how children in 1620 were different from them.  I will tell them about their responsibilities and the jobs that they had on the Mayflower and on Plymouth Plantation. 
4.  I will ask the students what they think the Pilgrims were most thankful for once they got to America.   I will explain that this voyage of the Mayflower was why we celebrate thanksgiving.  I will review with the class what we have discussed by asking question on the material. 
5.  I will ask the students what they are most thankful for and pass out a piece of paper to each child.  I will tell the class that they are to draw a picture of what they are most thankful for this thanksgiving.  I will tell them that when they are finished we are going to glue their pictures on a large colored piece of paper to make a Thanksgiving quilt. 

C.    Closure: 

Once the students have finished with their pictures we will discuss what they drew and what they are thankful for.

I will assess what the children have learned, by the feedback that I receive during the discussion.  I will also evaluate what the class has learned by their responses to the questions asked.

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