📖

The First Thanksgiving: Gratitude to God

The Pilgrims' Journey

Day 25of 180
Week 5of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand the meaning of thanksgiving

2

Learn about the first Thanksgiving celebration

3

Recognize God's provision in difficult times

📖 Scripture Connection

1 Thessalonians 5:18

“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.”

— 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (WEB)

Teaches the importance of being thankful in all circumstances

📦 Materials Needed

  • Construction paper
  • Crayons/markers
  • Scissors
  • Thanksgiving picture book
  • Pilgrim and Native American paper dolls
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students and ask them what they know about Thanksgiving. Explain that the first Thanksgiving was a special time of gratitude to God for helping the Pilgrims survive.

💭 Review Question: What does it mean to be thankful?
2Teaching (10 min)

Tell the story of the first Thanksgiving, highlighting how the Pilgrims and Native Americans shared a meal together to celebrate God's provision. Explain how the Pilgrims had survived a very difficult first year with help from Squanto and the Wampanoag people.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Pilgrims came to America seeking religious freedom
  • Many Pilgrims died during the first winter
  • Squanto helped them learn to farm and survive
  • They were grateful to God for helping them
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How do you think the Pilgrims felt when they survived?
  • Why is it important to say 'thank you'?
  • How can we show gratitude to God?
3Activity: Thanksgiving Gratitude Leaf (7 min)
hands-on craft

Students will create a paper leaf and write or draw something they are thankful for.

📝 Instructions:
  1. Give each child a piece of construction paper
  2. Help them cut out a leaf shape
  3. Write or draw something they are thankful for
  4. Share leaves with the class
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Pre-cut leaves for younger children

Challenge: Write a full sentence about what they're thankful for

4Closing (3 min)

Recap the story of the first Thanksgiving and remind students about being thankful to God

📝 Review Questions:
  • Who helped the Pilgrims survive?
  • Why did they have a feast?
  • How can we show thankfulness?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for Your love and provision. Help us to always be grateful like the Pilgrims. Amen.

Coming up: Next week, we'll learn more about how the Pilgrims and Native Americans lived together

💎 Memory Verse

1 Thessalonians 5:18

“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.”

— 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Thanksgiving Gratitude Tree - write things to be thankful for on paper leaves

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

The first Thanksgiving was a celebration of survival and God's provision during a challenging time

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Encourage children to think about things they are thankful for
  • Help them understand gratitude goes beyond just saying 'thank you'
  • Use the story to show God's care during difficult times
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might have difficulty understanding historical context

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Expressions of understanding gratitude and God's provision

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a Thanksgiving dinner menu
  • Act out the first Thanksgiving story
  • Make a gratitude journal

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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