This document provides a list of book and website resources related to teaching about Thanksgiving for second grade students. It includes brief descriptions of 6 books that cover topics like poems about a family's Thanksgiving, the history and traditions of the holiday, the story of the Pilgrims' first Thanksgiving, and the story of Squanto. It also lists 4 websites that provide Thanksgiving lesson plans, activities, crafts, and stories to help teach about the historical and cultural aspects of the holiday. The websites are evaluated as being easy to use, accurate, and filled with helpful classroom resources.
![Kelsey Mitsdarffer Literary Focus Unit Thanksgiving Grade Level: second Books ,[object Object],This is a collection of poems about one family's activities on Thanksgiving Day, including thoughts about the history behind the holiday, welcoming visiting relatives, praying for others, enjoying the good food, and giving thanks at the end of the day. (poems) ,[object Object],This book tells what Thanksgiving is all about. It covers everything from the first Thanksgiving, to how people celebrate today. It even includes America’s newest Thanksgiving traditions like the Thanksgiving Parade and football. (informational) ,[object Object],This book tells the story of the pilgrims coming to America, the difficulties they faced their first year, and their first celebration of Thanksgiving. It also contains reading activities to accompany the story. (historical fiction) ,[object Object],Describes how the Massachusetts Indian Squanto was captured by the British, sold into slavery in Spain, and ultimately returned to the New World to become a guide and friend for the Pilgrims. (multicultural) ,[object Object],This is a collection of stories, poems, and songs about Thanksgiving Day. Many great authors contribute works to this book, such as Aileen Fisher, Jack Prelutsky, Eve Merriam, and Yoshiko Uchida. (poems) ,[object Object],Mary misses her life and friends in Ireland and is sad that her family cannot celebrate Thanksgiving Day the way their New England neighbors do, until her parents share a story of the Pilgrims' first harvest festival. (historical fiction) Websites Teacher: ,[object Object],This website is very helpful, in that it gives links to other websites approved by respected teachers. It gives multiple references for each link it provides. It is easy to access and includes a great deal of helpful information for the classroom teacher. ,[object Object],This website is very helpful for a teacher or parent. It gives great ideas for crafts, cooking, lesson plans, and activities related to the holiday. It is easy to access and is filled with accurate and interesting information. ,[object Object],This website provides numerous Thanksgiving stories and activities to accompany each story. It also provides effective reading tips and activities to help teach reading in the classroom. ,[object Object],This website is full of lesson plans and activities for teachers to use in the classroom. It is easy to find the exact type of lesson plan you are looking for because it is well organized. It not only has lesson plans for Thanksgiving, but other holidays as well. Children: ,[object Object],This was probably my favorite website that I found. It is easy for students to access and provides tours or the Mayflower. It is full of stories from not only the pilgrims, but the Native Americans as well. It provides videos, activities, and stories. ,[object Object],This is a fun and educational webpage for children. It is full of games, activities, and stories for children to learn about Thanksgiving. It is very straightforward and easy for children to access in the classroom and at home.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/litfocusunitpart1-100128100821-phpapp02/85/Lit-Focus-Unit-Part-1-1-320.jpg)
