Packing the Pilgrim's trunk: Personalizing history in the elementary classroom
http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=400
A lesson plan for grades K–2 English Language Arts and Social Studies
This theme exploration helps students explore who the Pilgrims were, learn about their journey aboard the Mayflower, and discover how they adapted and built new lives at Plymouth Colony. After participating in an activity that activates prior knowledge about Pilgrims, the teacher reads one of several books about the voyage on the Mayflower and the group’s first year in America. Students connect with the literature by discussing their own stories of moving and by writing in their journals. Then, the class is challenged to bring in items they would most likely take if they were going on a long voyage. After engaging students in an activity to decide what would be necessary to take on the trip, students narrow the list of items they initially thought would be important for the journey. Once the teacher has read another book about the Pilgrims, they sort items into two bins, one for the earlier time period and one for modern day. Over the next few class sessions, while the teacher reads more stories about Pilgrims and the Mayflower, students continue to think about the items they would take if they were moving and why they would take them. As students learn more about the lives and roles of Pilgrim children, they begin to plan a harvest festival of Thanksgiving. Using recipes for foods the Pilgrims would have had at their Thanksgiving festival, students work together to create a meal and then share the things for which they are thankful. Following the activity, students are engaged in a critical thinking activity to determine the benefits and detriments of being a Pilgrim child. Readwritethink provides recipes, sample assignments, letters that explain the project to families, and lists for books that can be used for the lesson. This lesson plan also suggests extension activities and provides web resources for further investigation.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
English Language Arts (2004)
Grade 1
- Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
- Objective 3.01: Elaborate on how information and events connect to life experiences.
Grade 2
- Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
- Objective 3.02: Connect and compare information within and across selections (fiction, nonfiction, poetry and drama) to experience and knowledge.
Kindergarten
- Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
- Objective 3.01: Connect information and events in text to experience.
Social Studies (2003)
Grade 1
- Goal 4: The learner will explain different celebrated holidays and special days in communities.
- Objective 4.03: Recognize and describe the historical events associated with national holidays.
Grade 2
- Goal 3: The learner will analyze how individuals, families, and communities are alike and different.
- Objective 3.05: Identify historical figures and events associated with various cultural traditions and holidays celebrated around the world.
