Pilgrim Voices: Our First Year in the New World
What’s inside...
Reveals the true account of the Pilgrim experience, from the hardship of their journey aboard the Mayflower, to the first encounter with local Indians, to the first Thanksgiving, through excerpts adapted from original sources.
Age
8-12
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What challenges do you think the Pilgrims faced during their first year in the New World?
How did the Pilgrims’ relationships with the Native Americans impact their experience?
What feelings do you think you would have if you were part of the Pilgrim’s journey?
How did teamwork and collaboration help the Pilgrims survive their first year?
What can we learn from the Pilgrims’ experiences that can be applied to challenges we face today?
Tip: Role play these questions
Relate the Pilgrims' experiences to challenges your child faces, like starting a new school or moving to a new place.
Discuss the importance of understanding and respect in building relationships, as seen between the Pilgrims and Native Americans.
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings after each chapter to foster emotional connection to the story.
Highlight examples of teamwork in the book, then connect them to instances where working together helped solve a problem at home or school.
Use the book’s historical context to build curiosity, researching more about the time period together after reading.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience and perseverance
Explanation: Through the settlers’ challenging journey and their determination to build a new life, children learn about resilience.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to face their own challenges with courage and not give up easily, whether in school or in personal endeavors.
Example Lesson: Cooperation and teamwork
Explanation: The book illustrates how the Pilgrims and Native Americans worked together to survive their first year.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of collaborating with others, sharing resources, and respecting different cultures, useful in group activities at school or with friends.
Example Lesson: Gratitude and thankfulness
Explanation: The settlers express gratitude for the harvest, which leads to the tradition of Thanksgiving.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to appreciate what they have and to express thankfulness in their daily lives, fostering a positive attitude and respect for others’ contributions.
Example Lesson: Adaptability to change
Explanation: The book shows settlers adapting to a new environment and overcoming unforeseen challenges.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children learn to be flexible and adapt to changes, such as moving to a new place or adjusting to a new school environment.
Example Lesson: Learning from others
Explanation: The narrative highlights how the Pilgrims learned farming techniques from the Native Americans, demonstrating the value of learning from others’ experiences and wisdom.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being open to learning from peers and adults, enhancing their knowledge and skills in various aspects of life.