Created for you to enjoy with your family, this Thanksgiving Homeschool Unit Study has Scripture, reading from Pilgrim Stories by Margaret Pumphrey, and all kinds of activities from science to music to homemaking. Enjoy.
You can also stretch this out over two weeks.
Note: You read several chapters in one day, but the chapters are very short in this fantastic Thanksgiving homeschool unit study. Read on!
FREE Thanksgiving Homeschool Unit Study: Pilgrims
Day 1
Scripture: Psalm 1 – ways to thank and praise God
Read Pilgrims Stories by Margaret Pumphrey chapter 1 (“At Scrooby Inn”) to chapter 7 (“In Holland”) (Mom read aloud or children read on their own)
Conservation Questions
- What did the Pilgrims value above all things?
- Describe what they left behind to move to Holland.
- How was life in Holland different from life in England?
- Choose someone in the story and describe what you would be most thankful for.
Music: Sing Hymns Together the Pilgrims probably sang: We Gather Together (Dutch 16th century to celebrate Dutch victory over the Spanish) and Doxology (Seventh Century)
Handwriting: Write a list of things you are thankful for in your best handwriting.
Day 2
Scripture: Psalm 23 – Thankful the Lord is our Shapeherd
Read Pilgrims Stories by Margaret Pumphrey chapter 8 (“The Home in Amsterdam”) to chapter 15 (“A Perplexing Problem”) (Mom read aloud or children read on their own)
Conservation Questions
- How was life in Leiden different from life in Amsterdam?
- How was life in Leiden the same as life in Amsterdam?
- What did freedom of religion mean to the Pilgrims?
- Choose someone in the story and describe what you would be most thankful for.
Geography: find Scrooby, England on a Map. Find Amsterdam on a map. What is the quickest route by water from Scrooby to Amsterdam?
Homemaking/Life Skills: make a shopping list and go grocery shopping.
Craft: Make a centerpiece for Thanksgiving dinner. You might use a basket, mirror, or cornucopia as a base and fill with autumn leaves, gourds, fresh fruits & vegetables, dried corn on the cob, and/or small pumpkins.
Day 3
Scripture: Psalm 91 – Thankful for God’s Protection
Read Pilgrims Stories by Margaret Pumphrey chapter 16 (“The Sword of Miles Standish”) to chapter 23 (“Washing Day in New England”) (Mom read aloud or children read on their own)
Conservation Questions
- Why did the pilgrims want to move to America?
- What challenges did they face in the process of moving to America?
- What emotions would you be feeling if you were a pilgrim leaving through the preparation and trip to American?
- Choose someone in the story and describe what you would be most thankful for.
Science: Storm in a Bathtub (FLT AH MS 67)
Materials needed: toy boat, bathtub filled with water
Fill the bathtub with water ½ full and let the boat float lazily in the water. With your hands, create waves from the side of the bathtub, strengthening the force of the waves more and more until the water splashes over the little boat.
- What happens to the boat?
- Does it turn over?
- What would it be like to be on the boat as a passenger?
Homemaking: Bake pies for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. Ideas include apple, pumpkin, mincemeat, pecan, sweet potato, and Dutch apple.
Homemaking/Life Skills: clean the house
Day 4
Scripture: Psalm 158 – Hymn of Thanks.
Read Pilgrims Stories by Margaret Pumphrey chapter 24 (“A Wild Land”) to chapter 31 (“Squanto”) (Mom read aloud or children read on their own)
Conservation Questions
- How did Squanto come to know Christ?
- What happened to Squanto?
- What happened to Squanto’s tribe when he was away?
- If you were Squanto, describe what you would be most thankful for.
Homemaking/Life Skills: set the table (don’t forget namecards and centerpiece!), prepare food, welcome family & guests, serve food.
Day 5
Scripture: Psalm 103 – Thankful for Salvation, healing, and help.
Read Pilgrims Stories by Margaret Pumphrey chapter 31 (“A Wild Land”) to chapter 32 (“Squanto”) (Mom read aloud or children read on their own)
Conservation Questions
- Why did the pilgrims want to celebrate a Thanksgiving feast?
- How did they celebrate and with whom?
- If you were a pilgrim child who lived through their entire adventure, what would you be most thankful for as you were giving thanks to God at the big feast?
Watch: Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving on YouTube.
Until next time, Happy Homeschooling and we hope you enjoy this free Thanksgiving homeschool unit study.
To help you out, I’ve created a simple 30 Day Gratitude Challenge Printable. Each person in your family should have their own printable. At dinner time or bedtime, let your kids write what they are thankful for that day. There is enough space on the printable to let your kids write what they are thankful for that day.
Younger kids can use the printable with prompts for each day. Even preschoolers can take on the challenge with the thank you prompts on the printable. Actually, I’m sending a copy to my daughter who has a 3-year old. The prompts are a simple way to stay focused on thankfulness all of November.
For, older kids and parents, I suggest writing at least 3 things you are thankful for each day. Once you sign up, you’ll receive an email with specific ideas for older kids.
Be sure to check back here (or sign up for our email updatesat the top of this post) throughout November for lots of great ideas to help you teach gratitude to your kids. For now, take the 30 Day Gratitude Challenge and get your free printables below.
Meredith Curtis, homeschooling mom of five amazing children and Grand-Merey to five angels, writes, speaks, and loves to encourage families in their homeschooling adventure. With gratefulness to the Lord, she is a curriculum creator, publisher, and the author of Who Dun It Literature & Writing, HIS Story of the 20th Century, and God Bless the USA Exploring States and Territories.
You can find Meredith at PowerlineProd.com, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Check out Meredith’s homeschool resources at Powerline Productions’ online store. Read her blog at PowerlineProd.com, and Listen to her at Finish Well Podcast. Join one of her online classes at True North Homeschool Academy.
