The History of Thanksgiving Activity

On this date in 1863 President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation designating the last Thursday in November as Thanksgiving.

You can celebrate in your classroom while teaching your students more about the history of Thanksgiving in America with this fantastic reading activity.

This reading and worksheet explains how the holiday grew from its roots in England to the major event that it is today. Over the 1 page reading, students will learn about the contributions of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and more to creating Thanksgiving as it is today.

Following the 1 page reading, students answer a set of Common Core-aligned comprehension and opinion questions, including writing about their favorite traditions, understanding the difference between primary and secondary sources, and explaining what hey are thankful for.

For more great holiday teaching activities, see this complete bundled set of History Common Core Readings!

Thank you for looking and a Happy Thanksgiving to you!