Attention NIE Teachers-- There will be no print delivery of the Boston Herald this Thursday or Friday due to Thanksgiving. However, you can still access the online Smart Edition during the break. Print delivery will resume on November 28.
Have a wonderful holiday!
Image by readwrtiethink.org
Have your students ever watched the television show Myth Busters? Well now they can discover the myths and truths behind the first Thanksgiving using a lesson plan from readwritethink and Verizon Thinkfinity.
Students in grades 6-8 will examine myths about the pilgrims, the Wampanoag, and the very first Thanksgiving. Lesson author Traci Gardner writes:
Students will begin by considering the difference between myth and historical truth by reading "Of Plymouth Plantation" by William Bradford. They will then, in a full-class discussion, reflect on common myths related to the first Thanksgiving. By using a "myth-breaking" process, groups of students will further explore one myth commonly believed about the Wampanoag and the pilgrim settlers. Finally, students will share their findings in group presentations.
Photo by Veterans History Project
Looking for a unique Veteran’s Day activity for your students? Through the Veterans History Project, students can learn history firsthand by interviewing a veteran. The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress archives the interviews in an effort to help people understand war.
The project is recommended for students in grades 10 and up, and interviews must be at least 30 minutes long. To learn more about the project and how your students can participate, follow this link.
The Veterans History Project website is also a great classroom resource. You can access video interviews, memoirs, and photos of veterans to share with your students.