Thanksgiving Traditions Primary & Secondary Sources Lesson - Microsoft Digital Resources
This Thanksgiving Traditions lesson explores the holiday's customs and history using primary and secondary sources. The activities are engaging for students, and the guided 5-E format is easy to implement!
Begin with a fun "Fact or Fiction?" warm-up that tests students' knowledge about Thanksgiving. Next, the "A Little History" section reviews the holiday's origins, accompanied by fill-in notes.
The "My 5 W's of Thanksgiving" activity allows students to share their customs and traditions. After that, challenge your class to investigate various primary and secondary sources of information related to Thanksgiving. A printable "walk-around" poster for in-class instruction is also included.
Both printable and interactive digital versions of the materials are provided, making them suitable for traditional in-class learning or digital 1:1 classrooms. Everything you need is included!
Includes Microsoft Resources: Digital & Print
- Guided 5-E PowerPoint Lesson
- Fill-in Notes
- Investigate Activity - Thanksgiving
- Investigate Poster Set - 10 total
- Answer Keys
- Teacher Reference Guide
5-E Guided Lesson:
- Engage: “Fact or Fiction?” Activity - “Bet You Didn’t Know: Thanksgiving”
- Explore: “A Little History” - Fill-in Notes
- Explain: “My 5 W’s of Thanksgiving” Activity
- Elaborate: Big Ideas - Primary vs. Secondary Sources
- Evaluate: Thanksgiving Sources Investigation Activity
Aligned with Social Studies Standards: CCSS, TEKS, ELPS & NCSS
Total Pages: 68
Time: 50 minutes
Grades: 4-10