A Truthful Thanksgiving Lesson

*Click any image to be taken to the resource*

If you are new here, hi. We are Naomi and LaNesha and we are passionate about honest and inclusive history in the PRIMARY grades. We even wrote a book about it.

Thanksgiving.

Please, please, please do better. If you are a teacher, literally research Thanksgiving. What we teach is inaccurate and embarrassing at this point. If you are a parent and you see this kind of activity coming home… call. Dojo. Seesaw message. Email and tell them absolutely not. We can and must do better, yes, even in kindergarten with these inaccurate historical narratives that end up becoming truth for so many people. What can you do instead? You can teach the truth. Let us help.

We read an eBook that explains some of the major topics that surround this holiday. There’s the history to consider, the National Day of Mourning, and the legacy of Sarah Josepha Hale. It’s a very complex history that shouldn’t be reduced to “Squanto, was the “nice Indian” (suggesting that no one else was?) and they helped the white settlers grow food.” Again, research. You’ll find that that feast of 1621 isn’t what you were likely taught.

We follow the eBook up with some response activities. There are discussion prompt cards, draw and respond sheets and note catchers.

We’ve love to give you a sample of this resource. Click here to grab it!