Performances are an effective way to apply what first graders have learned. It helps them come together in a combined effort toward an enjoyable and memorable show. Assign students the roles of different people present at the first Thanksgiving and put on a play or skit. They can then act out the arrival of the pilgrims to the New World or put on a show about the first Thanksgiving feast. Also, if locally available, have the class attend a live reenactment of the first Thanksgiving feast to give students a lesson in the experiences of those involved with the very first Thanksgiving.
A culturally aware way for first graders to learn about Thanksgiving is by teaching the lifestyle and customs that were unique to the Wampanoag Native Americans. The lesson can involve a large poster contrasting the way the Wampanoags lived as compared to the way the pilgrims lived. Students can create paintings depicting the type of houses the Wampanoags lived in and the foods they ate. These activities give students insight on some of conditions that led to the first Thanksgiving feast.
First graders should hear a brief story or two about the role that Squanto played in helping pilgrims become successful farmers. In particular, he helped them survive a very harsh winter by teaching them to plant corn. As a class activity, teach students the steps involved in planting corn and explain why it was an important crop. Then, follow up by making a dirt dessert snack to represent Squanto's lesson. Crushed chocolate sandwich cookies, such as Ores, topped with candy corn, will get children excited. Add to the mix other pilgrim staples such as fish-shaped candies.
No lesson on the first Thanksgiving is complete without an explanation of why its called Thanksgiving. Teach first graders that the pilgrims had plenty to be thankful for, considering that they might not have survived their first winter without help from the Wampanoags. Then, to replicate this lesson on gratitude, students can make a simple thankfulness bag to give to a friend or relative. Each student will need a paper bag and several strips of colorful construction paper. On the paper, students can write the names of things for which they are thankful and place them in the bag. Other sentimental items can be placed in the bags such as photos or candy kisses.