Lesson by Tim Bailey
Essay by David Silverman, George Washington University
Grade Levels: 3–5
Number of Class Periods: 4
Primary Era: Colonization and Settlement, 1585–1763
About This Lesson Plan Unit
The four lessons in this unit explore the voyage of the Pilgrims to America aboard the Mayflower, the writing of the Mayflower Compact, and the origins of Thanksgiving. Students will read or listen to a historical interpretation and read a compact and a letter. You will assess their understanding through class discussions and their graphic and written responses on activity sheets.
Lesson Plan Author: Tim Bailey
Historical Background Scholar: David J. Silverman, George Washington University
Additional Information About This Unit
Common Core State Standards
Common Core State Standards
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.1: Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.2: Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.9: Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.5.1.d: Review the key ideas expressed and draw conclusions in light of information and knowledge gained from the discussions.
Essential Questions
Essential Questions
What conditions encouraged the Pilgrims to leave Europe?
What challenges did the Pilgrims face during their voyage on the Mayflower?
What was the first year after arrival like for the Pilgrims?
How does Winslow’s description of the 1621 event resemble or differ from a traditional telling of the story of the First Thanksgiving?
What was it like to be a Pilgrim?
Documents
Documents
The Mayflower Compact, 1620
A letter by colonist Edward Winslow, December 11, 1621