The First Thanksgiving- Pilgrims & Wampanoag History Activity (Grades 2–5)

Bring the story of the First Thanksgiving to life with this interactive Early American History activity designed for 2nd–5th graders. Students will discover how the Pilgrims and Wampanoag people worked together to survive and celebrate one of the most famous feasts in history.

Through a beautifully written passage and a cut-and-paste “Thanksgiving Table” project, children learn which foods came from each group—while building understanding of cooperation, gratitude, and cultural exchange. Perfect for homeschool families or classrooms looking to blend reading, history, and hands-on learning in one lesson!

Book recommendation: Squanto's Journey by Joseph Bruchac

Students will:

• Read a short, engaging story about the Pilgrims’ first year in America
• Learn about the Wampanoag and their essential role in the harvest celebration
• Complete a fun sorting activity that shows what each group brought to the table
• Reflect on themes of thankfulness, teamwork, and history

What’s Included:

• Reading passage: “The First Thanksgiving”
• Illustrated sorting activity pages
• Printable food cards and table mat
• Teacher/parent instructions and answer key
• Discussion prompts for comprehension and connection

Learning Skills & Standards:
✔ Early American history & Native American studies
✔ Compare and contrast cultures
✔ Reading comprehension & critical thinking (CCSS.ELA.RI.2–5)
✔ Social studies standards for grades 2–5: early settlements, cooperation, and community traditions

Perfect for:
🍂 Thanksgiving week lessons
🏡 Homeschool or co-op activities
📚 Hands-on social studies centers
🎓 Family-style history learning

✨ Encourage curiosity, gratitude, and historical understanding as your students explore how two cultures came together to share the first Thanksgiving.

*This activity will be included in the Early American History curriculum coming out soon.