Thanksgiving is a holiday treasured by many Americans because of reminders of gratitude, bounty, and friendship. By studying the history of the First Thanksgiving and the events leading up to it, we gain a deep appreciation for two groups of people who had very different experiences but came together to celebrate the blessings of their cooperation over their hardship.
I am excited to introduce A Treasured Thanksgiving, an immersive study designed to help you gain an appreciation of the trials and tribulations leading up to the first Thanksgiving. With this study, you will experience learning through historic accounts relayed through picture books and hands-on connections with crafts, games, and traditional recipes.
In this blog post:
- What is A Treasured Thanksgiving?
- About the author
- Historical themes in A Treasured Thanksgiving
- Scripture in A Treasured Thanksgiving
- Art and poetry in A Treasured Thanksgiving
- Maps and timelines in A Treasured Thanksgiving
- Hands-on activities in A Treasured Thanksgiving
- Holiday unit studies from Treehouse Schoolhouse
What is A Treasured Thanksgiving?
A Treasured Thanksgiving is a Charlotte Mason-inspired curriculum designed with your whole family in mind. It’s an invitation to study the historical Thanksgiving story in a hands-on way. Through Scripture, poetry, art studies, picture books, projects, baking, geography, and narration, your family will spend two weeks connecting together and focusing on the meaning of the holiday. Dive deep into themes like the Pilgrim’s voyage to America, the Wampanoag people, the First Encounters, the First Thanksgiving, and the relationship between the Pilgrims and Native Americans in the first year. Featuring a robust book list of picture books and chapter books, this study will provide resources for the whole family.
About the author
A Treasured Thanksgiving is written by Brittany Smith, the creator of A Living Learning Co., a family-style learning resource and blog. When she is not homeschooling, she spends much of her free time exploring the country with her husband and four children. Brittany believes living is learning and shares the lifestyle benefits of a rich and intentional home education with all she encounters.
Historical themes in A Treasured Thanksgiving
A Treasured Thanksgiving includes historical themes related to the Thanksgiving holiday. Nurture historical depth related to the holiday with these topics:
- The Pilgrim’s voyage to America
- The Plymouth colony
- The Wampanoag people
- Squanto
- The First Encounters
- The First Thanksgiving
- The relationship between the Pilgrims and Native Americans
Scripture in A Treasured Thanksgiving
Each day of the study includes a Scripture reading, which can be used to prompt discussion and for Scripture memorization. You can refer to the scripture display sheet as your children practice memorizing it.
Related: 7 Tips to Help Children Memorize Scripture
Art and poetry in A Treasured Thanksgiving
Each day of the study includes a prompt to interact with the poetry or art selections in various ways like learning new vocabulary, discussion questions, replication, copywork, and playing an observation game. You and your children can refer to the poetry and art display sheets in the guide.
Living books in A Treasured Thanksgiving
A Treasured Thanksgiving includes a curated book list that coordinates the the study. The book list features books about Pilgrims, the Mayflower, Native Americans, Squanto, and other historical figures connected to the holiday. It includes both picture books and chapter books.
Download A Treasured Thanksgiving FREE book list here!
Related: Thanksgiving Picture Books for Kids [Free Book List]
Maps and timelines in A Treasured Thanksgiving
This study includes a study of maps and creating timelines related to the Pilgrims voyage from Europe to North America. As you learn about the historical themes and elements connected to this time in history, your children will find and chart locations on maps, create timelines, and more.
Related: Incorporating Geography and Cultures in Your Homeschool [World Map PDF]
Hands-on activities in A Treasured Thanksgiving
Hands-on learning is always has a place in my home education environment. A Treasured Thanksgiving includes opportunities for handmade crafts and a collection of Thanksgiving recipes rooted in the historical tradition of the first Thanksgiving. Grab everything you need here.
Holiday unit studies from Treehouse Schoolhouse
If you enjoy diving into the meaning of the holiday with A Treasured Thanksgiving, you will love the other holiday unit studies from Treehouse Schoolhouse.
A Connected Christmas
A Connected Christmas is a curriculum designed to connect hearts to the heart of Christmas – to the truth of Jesus coming to earth to seek and save the lost. Explore the nativity story through Scripture readings to delight in festive carols, stories, poetry, art, baking, and handcrafts.
Related: How to Use A Connected Christmas with All Ages
A Connected Christmas: Around the World
Celebrate Christ’s birth and connect hearts to the truth of Jesus while experiencing how Christmas is celebrated across the globe with A Connected Christmas: Around the World. Give your children a way to travel the world as you explore the Christmas season in different languages, climates, and cultures. Experience the unique traditions of different countries through festive carols, stories, poetry, fine art, baking, and handcrafts.
Related: Introducing A Connected Christmas: Around the World
An Expectant Easter
Use An Expectant Easter to focus on what Easter is all about through Bible stories, hymns, poetry, art studies, picture books, projects, baking, and more. Connect and focus on the newness of Spring, the sacrifice Jesus made, and the power of His resurrection.
Related: Curriculum Overview: An Expectant Easter
Will you do a Thanksgiving study in your homeschool? Let us know in the comments below.