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In Our Words - First Thanksgiving - Discovery Ed
Grades
8 to 12
1 Favorites
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This Discovery Education video explores Indigenous perspectives on the first Thanksgiving, providing a more inclusive look at the holiday's history. By centering on Indigenous experiences,...more
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This Discovery Education video explores Indigenous perspectives on the first Thanksgiving, providing a more inclusive look at the holiday's history. By centering on Indigenous experiences, it highlights the cultural practices and contributions of Native American tribes, particularly the Wampanoag people, who were instrumental in helping the Pilgrims survive their first years. It also addresses the challenges, misunderstandings, and significant contributions of Indigenous peoples, offering a more balanced view of Thanksgiving than traditional narratives. This resource can encourage students to consider multiple perspectives and develop a deeper, more respectful understanding of Indigenous cultures and histories surrounding this holiday. Teachers can use the video to prompt discussions on historical empathy, perspective-taking, and the importance of acknowledging all voices in history.
tag(s): empathy (80), holidays (294), native americans (169), perspective (35), thanksgiving (25)
In the Classroom
Students can create visual art or a collage that contrasts traditional Thanksgiving imagery with representations of Indigenous cultures and perspectives. They can use a free resource such as PhotoCollage, reviewed here. Have students explain their artwork in a gallery walk format, fostering discussions about historical accuracy, respect, and representation. Provide students with primary sources like excerpts from Pilgrim diaries or early colonial documents. Ask them to analyze the sources to identify different perspectives and motivations, encouraging critical thinking about reliability, bias, and how history is documented. Students can write a reflective essay on how learning about Indigenous perspectives of the first Thanksgiving has altered their understanding of the holiday. Encourage them to research present-day perspectives from Indigenous voices and suggest how these insights might change their approach to Thanksgiving traditions.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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