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Academic Standards

 

Learning Objective:

Children will compare and contrast the first Thanksgiving with today’s Thanksgiving traditions.

 

Social Studies Focus:

Thanksgiving, long ago and today

 

Page 4 Skill:

make a bar graph

 

Vocabulary:

feast, grateful

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1 key details; RI.2.2 identify the main topic; RI.2.4 determine meanings of words; RI.2.10 read informational texts; RF.2.4 read on-level texts; W.2.1 writing; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Watch the video

Build background knowledge about Thanksgiving by watching “The History of Thanksgiving.” When you’re done, ask: What is one thing you learned about Thanksgiving?

Preview new vocabulary words

Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce this issue’s featured words.

Set a purpose for reading

  • Have students do a picture walk through the issue, then read and discuss the cover. Have volunteers share how they celebrate Thanksgiving.
  • Then before turning to page 2, say, “As we read the article, let’s think about how Thanksgiving has changed over time.”
  • Use the Read and Think skill sheet to check comprehension as you read the issue as a class. At each stopping point on the sheet, pause to discuss the questions. Students can fill out the sheet as you go along.
  • Complete the page 4 activity as a group or individually.
  • When you’re done reading, do the Dance Break!

 

Play the online game: My Thanksgiving Dinner

(skill: capitalization)

Read a paired text: Thanksgiving Then and Now by Jessica Gunderson

This book celebrates just how much has changed since the first Thanksgiving back in 1621. Did you know that there were no potatoes or forks at that first feast, or that today 45 million turkeys are sold for Thanksgiving?

Read an issue from the archive: “Balloon Bash” (Nov. 2024)

Discover how Thanksgiving got its start and identify how it changed over time with the issue “Balloon Bash” (Nov. 2024).