Give a brief overview of the pilgrims and the events that led to the first Thanksgiving. Talk about how the pilgrims sailed to the New World on the Mayflower to find a place where they could live and worship freely. Explain that the voyage across the Atlantic Ocean was long and dangerous. Wonder with the students what the young children did on the Mayflower to pass the time. Talk about some of the difficulties the pilgrims encountered in the first few years of settlement and how the Native Americans helped the pilgrims survive by teaching them planting and building techniques. Finally, explain to the class that the first Thanksgiving feast was given by the pilgrims as a way to thank the Native Americans for their help and generosity during the harvest season.
Make a bulletin board with a blue background. Cut out autumn-colored leaves in gold, brown, red and orange, making the leaves large enough to write a few words on. Pass out two leaves to each student and ask the class to think of things for which they are thankful. Engage the students and help them write their thankful notes if necessary. Attach each leaf randomly to the bulletin board to display in the classroom. Leave some additional blank leaves near the bulletin board and encourage students to add more notes as they continue to think of things they are thankful for.
Create Thanksgiving Day cards with handprint turkeys. Pass out a sheet of white art paper to each student. Show the children how to trace around their hand with a pencil. The thumb becomes the turkey head, the fingers become the feathers and the hand serves as the turkey body. Have students add eyes, legs and color to the feathers. Show the first graders how to write "Happy Thanksgiving!" to complete the card.
Use turkey graphics for a Thanksgiving-themed math lesson. Print out 10 identical turkey pictures and label them one through 10. Then cut off the turkey's feathers in each of the pictures. Prepare separate, colorful paper feathers using construction paper. Place tape on the backsides of the feathers for sticking. Instruct students to stick the same number of feathers onto each turkey image to match the number written on the bottom of the picture. For example, place two feathers on the turkey with the number "2" written on the page, and so on. Students will create colorful turkey pictures while practicing their counting skills.
Educate the class about some of the food enjoyed by the pilgrims and Native Americans at the first Thanksgiving feast. Mention corn, pumpkins, beans, cranberries and wild game as probable foods that were served.
If possible, arrange a simple Thanksgiving feast in the classroom to give students a fun, hands-on lesson. Make "thankful placemats" by having students draw pictures of things they are thankful for onto large sheets of construction paper. If possible, involve several parents to help you prepare a warm stuffing casserole, a baked bean casserole and turkey sandwiches. Serve mixed nuts, canned cranberries and a variety of fresh fruits along with the other dishes to complete the Thanksgiving meal.