History of Thanksgiving Worksheets and Unit Study Resources

During the week of Thanksgiving, my children and I usually take a break from our regular school subjects and study about the history of Thanksgiving.  I call it ‘Thanksgiving School.’

That’s a very creative name, isn’t it?! 🙂

I try to make it fun and have everything we do revolve around Thanksgiving history – worksheets, matching games, reading, and even science!

But having a Thanksgiving Week takes a little planning, and admittedly, it gets harder to find materials as my children grow older.

I’ve compiled a list of resources that I’m using in our homeschool to study that First Thanksgiving.  Hopefully you can use them in your own homeschool also.

NOTE: This post was originally published in November 2012 and his been updated many times throughout the years. Please download the newest version of the worksheets and enjoy again!

➡ Browse through the large selection of Thanksgiving Worksheets and Printable Activities here at Mama’s Learning Corner!

You’ll find Thanksgiving writing booklets, coloring pages, word searches, unit study helps, and more!

 Children’s Books on the History of Thanksgiving

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We’ll read through several books during the week of Thanksgiving, including many of these:

• …If You Sailed on The Mayflower in 1620 – Ann McGovern – We read through this book last year and loved it!  My kiddos and I enjoyed all of the details and facts.
• If You Were At…The First Thanksgiving – Anne Kamma – We also read through this book last year and it had the same style of presenting facts in an interesting way.
• The Pilgrim’s First Thanksgiving – Ann McGovern (a favorite!)
• The Littlest Pilgrim – Brandi Dougherty – The book itself is fiction, but the descriptions are accurate for the time period
• Thanksgiving is For Giving Thanks – Margaret Sutherland – also not historical, but works is a simple read for my preschooler
• Thanksgiving on Plymouth Plantation (The Time Traveling Twins) – Diane Stanley – Packed full of interesting tidbits of that First Thanksgiving, including what was eaten then compared to what is eaten now.

Videos on the History of Thanksgiving

Watch how I plan our entire History of Thanksgiving unit study in this video!

While I’ve personally viewed each of these videos to determine if their content is appropriate, make sure you view them before your children to make sure they’re appropriate for your household.

The First Thanksgiving Story

Bet You Didn’t Know: History of Thanksgiving

History of Thanksgiving Day

Free History of Thanksgiving Worksheets

I created this group of worksheets to be used in our own homeschool during the week of Thanksgiving.  Feel free to download it and use it in your own homeschool!

In this 12-page group of worksheets you will find:

• Fill-in-the-blank with simple answers
• Cut & Paste definitions (set of 5)
• Writing Prompt Notebooking Page
• Word Search (horizontal lines only)
• Then and Now Thanksgiving Dinner
• Thanksgiving History Mystery Code
• Copywork Page of Lincoln’s Proclamation in 1863

All Access Pass members can download immediately download this History of Thanksgiving packet.

After you log in, choose the Thanksgiving and Christmas page and scroll down until you see this particular set.  Then just click and your download will start immediately.

Download History of Thanksgiving Worksheets here:

 More Thanksgiving Resources for your young learners:

Lauren Hill

Lauren Hill is a Christian mom to 5, ages 19 to 7. She homeschools her children in the classical education tradition and is currently in her 15th year of homeschool. She creates engaging worksheets and hands-on printable activities for Preschool and Elementary age children to supplement their daily studies.

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Homeschool Classical Education Worksheets Printable Activities