lenny

Gratitude's Roots: Why Give Thanks?

user image

Lesson Plan

Gratitude's Roots: Why Give Thanks?

Students will be able to identify the historical origins of Thanksgiving and articulate its modern cultural significance by reflecting on personal expressions of gratitude.

Understanding Thanksgiving's origins helps students appreciate the complexities of history and how traditions evolve. Reflecting on gratitude fosters positive social-emotional development.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through guided discussion and personal reflection.

Materials

Presentation: Gratitude's Roots Slide Deck, Discussion Guide: Thanksgiving Discussion Guide, and Worksheet: My Gratitude Journal

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: What Comes to Mind?

5 minutes

Begin by displaying the first slide of the Gratitude's Roots Slide Deck.
- Ask students: "When you hear 'Thanksgiving,' what are the first things that come to mind?"
- Facilitate a brief, open-ended class share-out, writing keywords on the board.

Step 2

Historical Roots of Thanksgiving

10 minutes

Use slides 2-4 of the Gratitude's Roots Slide Deck to introduce the historical context of Thanksgiving.
- Discuss the Wampanoag people and the Pilgrims' harvest feast.
- Explain how the holiday evolved over time, including Lincoln's proclamation.
- Refer to the Thanksgiving Discussion Guide for guiding questions during this segment.

Step 3

Modern Significance & Gratitude

10 minutes

Transition to the modern significance of Thanksgiving using slides 5-6 of the Gratitude's Roots Slide Deck.
- Discuss how traditions change and what Thanksgiving means today for many.
- Hand out the My Gratitude Journal and instruct students to complete the reflection prompt.
- Encourage students to think beyond material possessions.

Step 4

Share & Cool Down

5 minutes

Invite students to share one thing they wrote in their My Gratitude Journal (optional).
- Conclude by emphasizing the enduring theme of gratitude.

lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Gratitude's Roots: Why Give Thanks?

What comes to mind when you hear 'Thanksgiving'?

Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask them to think about what comes to mind when they hear 'Thanksgiving.'

The First Harvest Feast

  • Who: Wampanoag people and English Pilgrims
  • What: A harvest celebration and alliance
  • When: Autumn of 1621
  • Where: Plymouth, Massachusetts
  • Why: To celebrate a successful harvest and give thanks for survival

Explain the historical context: the Wampanoag people and the Pilgrims. Emphasize it was a harvest celebration.

The Wampanoag People's Role

The Wampanoag had lived on the land for thousands of years.

They taught the Pilgrims how to:

  • Grow native crops (corn, beans, squash)
  • Hunt and fish locally
  • Use local plants for medicine

This knowledge was essential for the Pilgrims' survival.

Discuss the Wampanoag perspective and their generosity in sharing knowledge and resources.

From Feast to National Holiday

The harvest feast wasn't an annual tradition right away.

Over time, individual colonies and states held their own thanksgiving days.

President Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863 during the Civil War, hoping to unite the country.

Briefly mention how the holiday became official much later, connecting it to the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln.

Thanksgiving Today: A Time for Gratitude

How do we celebrate Thanksgiving now?

  • Family gatherings
  • Feasts with special foods
  • Parades and football
  • Focusing on gratitude

Gratitude: The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

Transition to the present day. Ask students how Thanksgiving is celebrated now and what gratitude means to them.

What Are You Thankful For?

Gratitude is more than just saying 'thank you.'

It's about noticing and appreciating the good things in your life.

Think about:

  • People who support you
  • Opportunities you have
  • Things you enjoy doing
  • Simple pleasures

Introduce the journal activity. Explain that gratitude can be for anything, big or small.

lenny

Discussion

Thanksgiving Discussion Guide

This guide provides prompts and questions to facilitate a meaningful discussion about Thanksgiving, its history, and its modern relevance.

Part 1: Initial Thoughts (Warm-Up)

  • "When you hear the word 'Thanksgiving,' what are the first three things that come to your mind?"


  • "What are some common traditions or activities associated with Thanksgiving in your family or community?"


Part 2: Historical Context

  • "Before today, what did you know about the 'First Thanksgiving'? Where did you learn about it?"


  • "How did the Wampanoag people contribute to the Pilgrims' survival? Why is it important to remember their role?"


  • "Why do you think it took so long for Thanksgiving to become a national holiday after the first feast? What might have changed to make it happen?"


Part 3: Modern Significance and Gratitude

  • "How has the meaning of Thanksgiving evolved from its historical origins to how it's celebrated today?"


  • "What does 'gratitude' mean to you in your own words? How is it different from just saying 'thank you'?"


  • "Can you think of ways to show gratitude that don't involve material things or big celebrations?"


  • "Why is it important to take time to reflect on what we are thankful for?"


lenny
lenny

Journal

My Gratitude Journal: Why Give Thanks?

Take a few moments to reflect on the concept of gratitude and what it means in your life. Be honest and thoughtful in your responses.

Prompt 1: Everyday Appreciations

Think about your typical day. What are some small, often overlooked things or moments that you are genuinely thankful for? It could be anything from a comfortable bed to a favorite song.












Prompt 2: People Who Matter

Who are the people in your life that you are most grateful for? What specific qualities or actions do they have that make you appreciate them? (You don't need to use their real names if you don't want to!)












Prompt 3: Learning and Growth

Think about a challenge you've faced or something difficult you've learned. What positive outcomes or lessons did you gain from that experience? How can you be grateful for growth, even when it's hard?












Prompt 4: Connecting to the Past

Considering what we learned about Thanksgiving's history, how does understanding its origins influence your own feelings or thoughts about gratitude today?







lenny
lenny