The Truth about Thanksgiving

We have all learned about the first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims and the Indians. We have learned about what they were thankful for, what they ate, and why they were celebrating. But…is all of this history really true? Many historians have researched the first Thanksgiving and have found that some of what we have learned is not very true.

Did the Indians and Pilgrims really get along? Did they eat corn and turkey? Was it a festive feast with laughing and singing?

The following three websites explore the actual first Thanksgiving feast in Plymouth. Please explore the first two sites paying close attention to any myths that you come across and any of the interesting facts that you did not know. Take notes in your ILA notebook while exploring.

Plimouth Plantation

The History of Thanksgiving

After navigating through these sites, look at the last site and read about what other countries do on Thanksgiving. Take notes on at least two countries and their Thanksgiving traditions.

Thanksgiving on the Net

Directions:

· After searching and exploring these websites, compare the information that you noted with your partner. Did you read about some of the same myths or find some of the same facts interesting?

· In your ILA spiral, compare and contrast what you have previously learned about the first Thanksgiving dinner to the actual history found on these websites. Be sure to include what the Pilgrims and Indians actually ate, why they were celebrating, and whether or not it was a happy celebration.

· Write a paragraph describing how two other cultures or countries celebrate Thanksgiving. Compare and contrast their traditions to ours.

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