The very first thing I remember being taught was in second grade, we learned all about Squanto and how he approached the villagers who were starving and helped teach them how to plant and how to raise animals so that they would survive. Because of this, the Native Americans and the villagers all celebrated by having a large feast.
The first activity we did was the class split in half, and half of us dressed up in paper costumes made to look like “pioneer wear.” And then the other half dressed up as Native Americans. Then we all put our desks together and drew food to make it look like a large feast. Then we all sat and “ate” together. Luckily the teacher had brought juice and crackers so that we didn’t have to eat paper.
You were taught something a little different than what I remember the reason the pilgrims celebrated thanksgiving was. It makes me wonder if my 1st grade mind interpreted the information incorrectly, or if different curriculums teach slightly different things. Your activity sounded similar to ours though. I wish we had feasts in college sometimes. 🙂
You have a good memory, lol. Honestly the only thing I remember about the first years of learning about Thanksgiving was coloring pictures, and knowing it was about the Indians and Pilgrims. There was probably more we did, but ive had too many concussions to remember