Students investigate pilgrims. In this pilgrim lesson, students read the book If You Sailed on the Mayflower and identify the path from England to Holland on a map. Students write in a journal about how they would feel if they were a...

Eleventh graders explore how modern day immigrants may be pilgrims in their own respect. They learn what immigrants and pilgrims are, and be assigned to demonstrate learning about an immigrant in their ancestry.

Young scholars examine the similarities and differences between modern day immigrants and pilgrims. They listen to stories, discuss their ancestors' origins, and create a native costume for a paper doll for where their ancestor is from.

Third graders research life of Plymouth Plantation and write letters about life there home. In this Plymouth life lesson, 3rd graders complete a webquest as they gather information about the journey to America on the Mayflower and the...

Students examine the facts and myths that surround the "First Thanksgiving" (the harvest celebration of 1621) at Plimoth Colony. They study the role that historians play in the collection and dissemination of history and use their...

Students demonstrate how Native Americans were philanthropic. In this philanthropy instructional activity, students read Squanto's Journey and brainstorm ways that the Native Americans were helpful towards the Pilgrims. Students reflect...

Spark some lively conversation about American holiday traditions and debunk accepted notions about the first Thanksgiving at the same time. After reviewing the mainstream version of the Thanksgiving story with your class, offer some...

Sixth graders examine the different aspects of life in Colonial America. At home, they make traditional colonial recipes to share with the class. In groups, they read a book about the purpose and act of quilting and create their own...

First graders explore the practices and products of the two cultures. They build log cabins and teepees or Hogans, make costumes, use vocabulary and Native American symbols to write stories, create art products such as pinch pots and...

Students investigate Thanksgiving by reading a children's book.  In this holiday lesson, students read Arthur's Thanksgiving by Marc Brown and create a turkey fact book after reading an electronic encyclopedia.  Students bring...

Students explore the concept of democratic freedom. In this service learning instructional activity, students investigate the freedom the Pilgrims sought as they moved from England and write a journal from their point of view.

Students share their knowledge of England, then read a news article about Prince Charles's anticipated visit to the U.S. In this current events lesson (written prior to Prince Charles's visit), the teacher introduces the article with a...

Students view a world map and identify the locations of England and Virginia and discuss what kinds of things they would take with them on this kind of trip. They read the words in the news box on the student page and fill in the blanks...

Emerging writers identify allusion in poetry by listening to recorded poems, like Anyone Lived in a Pretty How Town. They also discuss what makes writing satirical and how writers use allusions to make satirical points.  

Students view the illustrations of family life in the early colonies and make a list of 10 things they see. Then compare those 10 items with your life today. Then read some of the novel "Constance" and write down 8 things that are learned.

Students, working in groups as cultural anthropologists, research harvest festival around the world. They design a Harvest web page based on their research.

Students complete a Web Quest on ways that Native Americans hunted for, harvested, stored, and prepared food and what types of natural foods were eaten.  In this early American food cycles lesson, students discover many of the ways...

Students examine the role the Mayflower Compact had in aiding the common good. They analyze the importance of the Compact and what affect it had on the colony. They write a paper summarizing how they interpreted the Compact itself.