Thanksgiving Lesson Plan

Learning goal and objectives: 1.1.5 Identify people and events observed in national
celebrations and holidays.1.4.5 Explain that people have to make choices about goods
and services because resources are limited in relation to peoples wants and needs
(scarcity). 1.4.1 Identify goods (tangible objects, such as food or toys, that can satisfy
peoples wants and needs) that people use. 1.1.5 Identify people and events observed in
national celebrations and holidays. 1.1.1 Compare the way individuals in the community
lived in the past with the way they live in the present. 1.L.1b: Use common, proper, and
possessive nouns. 1.L.1d: Use personal, possessive, and indefinite pronouns (e.g., I, me,
my; they, them, their, anyone, everything). 1.L.1e: Use verbs to convey a sense of past,
present, and future (e.g., Yesterday I walked home; Today I walk home; Tomorrow I will
walk home). 1.W.6.2c: Spelling unknown words phonetically, drawing on phonemic
awareness and spelling conventions. Correctly spelling words with common spelling
patterns. Correctly spelling common irregularly- spelled, gradeappropriate highfrequency words. 1.L.2d: Use conventional spelling for words with common spelling
patterns and for frequently occurring irregular words. 1.L.2e: Spell untaught words
phonetically, drawing on phonemic awareness and spelling conventions. 1.6.8: Spell
correctly three- and fourletter words (can, will) and grade-levelappropriate sight words
(red, fish).
Teacher Content Knowledge: As the teacher, I must be knowledgeable about the
origin of Thanksgiving in order to share this information with my students. Additionally, I
must be familiar with needs and wants and be able to communicate the difference to
students.
Introduction/Anticipatory Set/Engage Activities: After learning about the Pilgrims
and their travels on the Mayflower I would explain needs and wants to the class. We
would discuss how the Pilgrims had to decide what they really needed to bring with them
due to the limited space on the Mayflower. Students and I would then discuss examples
of needs and wants. I would then explain the activity and students would work
independently to complete the assignment.
Learning activities: Students will learn about the Pilgrims traveling on the Mayflower.
Students will think about the decisions the Pilgrims were faced with when leaving their
home and only being able to bring very few things with them. Students will learn about
the difference between needs and wants. Students will think about what they are thankful
for and what they need, instead of what they want.
Assessments/Closure: Students would have their worksheets checked upon completion.
I would look for completion, that students have included mostly needs as things they will
bring, appropriate letter formation, and spelling.
Materials/technology: Worksheet, pencil, eraser, crayons.

 Context---Accommodations/ modifications: Students requiring accommodations or

modifications may be assisted with brainstorming and identifying needs vs. wants as they
complete the activity. Students may also be accommodated and receive additional support
with spelling. Students needing accommodations may have fewer barrels to fill with
items.
Reflection: Students caught on quickly to the difference between needs and wants. I
was impressed with how well students thought about this activity and listed more needs
than wants on their worksheets. Students appeared to enjoy this assignment and were
excited to show me their worksheets and read to me the things they decided to take. This
was also a good way for me to evaluate students letter formation, spelling, and assist
students with sounding out words to improve spelling.

What did thePilgrims pack for their trip?

ThePilgrimshadalongvoyageaheadof them.
TheywouldbegoingtoaNewWorld. Therewould
benostoreswheretheycouldbuyclothes, food, or
anyother goodsor supplies. Thepilgrimshadto
packverycarefully. It couldmeanthedifference
betweenlifeanddeath.
Goods are items that people need or want to buy.
If you were a Pilgrim, what do you think would be important to bring with you?
Fill each barrel with the name or a picture of one item that you would pack.

ThePilgrimspackedfooditemslikedriedbeans, saltedmeat, andhardbiscuits, They

alsohadextraclothesandshoes. Theymadesurethat theyhadtools, weapons, and
gunpowder. Therewereevenliveanimalslikesheep, goats, chickens, anddogs.
2012 -The Library Patch