If You Were a Kid at the First Thanksgiving
If You Were A Kid Series
What’s inside...
Discover what happened during the very first Thanksgiving! As one of the few young children living in the Plymouth colony, Miles Allterton is always looking to make new friends. In a nearby Wampanoag settlement, a girl named Aquina wants to hunt with her father and brothers. When the two children meet during preparations for a harvest feast, they quickly strike up a friendship. Readers (Ages 7-9) will follow along as the children and their families attend the first Thanksgiving celebration.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think it would be like to attend the first Thanksgiving?
Can you imagine what challenges the children back then might have faced?
How do you think the friendship between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans changed after they shared a meal together?
What are some ways we celebrate Thanksgiving now that might be different from how they celebrated it back then?
If you could invite anyone from that first Thanksgiving to our dinner, who would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to compare and contrast their current Thanksgiving experiences with those portrayed in the book.
Ask your child to express what they would feel being at that first Thanksgiving and explore those emotions together.
Discuss the themes of friendship and cooperation presented in the book to emphasize their relevance today.
Create a supportive atmosphere that allows your child to ask their own questions about the story and its historical context.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The story provides insights into the lives of both English settlers and the Native Americans during the first Thanksgiving, encouraging children to understand and respect different cultures and perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children can apply empathy by respecting diverse classmates and learning about cultures different from their own.
Example Lesson: Gratitude
Explanation: The narrative focuses on the theme of giving thanks and being grateful for what one has, paralleling the historical context of the First Thanksgiving.
Real-World Application: Kids can practice gratitude in everyday life by thanking friends, family, and teachers for their support and kindness.
Example Lesson: Cooperation
Explanation: Characters in the book work together to prepare the Thanksgiving feast, showcasing the importance of teamwork between differing groups.
Real-World Application: Children can use cooperation skills during group activities at school or in collaborative projects to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Historical Awareness
Explanation: By detailing the events of the First Thanksgiving, the book provides historical context that helps children understand the past and its impact on present traditions.
Real-World Application: Kids can show interest in their own family or community traditions and learn about their origins and meanings.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: The settlers and Native Americans in the story demonstrate resilience in overcoming challenges and hardships.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own challenges with determination and resilience, whether in solving a difficult puzzle or standing up in a new social setting.