Thanksgiving WebQuest
Designers: Christine Fleming & Theresa Ponte
The purpose for presenting a Social Studies unit on the history of Thanksgiving via a Webquest is to (a) primarily educate the students about the history and origin of the Thanksgiving holiday in America; (b) vary traditional instructional methods by incorporating the use of technology; (c) develop and strengthen students’ technological abilities such as keyboard and computer navigational skills; (d) provide students with an alternative method to learning which also lends itself to multiple intelligences and learning styles.
Target Population
- Primary elementary grades
Teaching Standards
In accordance with the National Council for Social Studies (NCSS), the desired curricular goals and performance expectations of this Webquest are implemented in terms of people, time and change, culture, and places and environments. The K-4 History Standards which will be addressed are:
- Standard 1: Family life now and in the past; family life in various places long ago
- Standard 2: History of students’ local community and how communities in North America varied long ago
- Standard 3: The people, events, problems, and ideas that created our history
- Standard 4: How democratic values came to be, and how they have been exemplified by people, events, and symbols
- Standard 5: The causes and nature of various movements of large groups of people into and within the US, now and long ago
- Standard 6: Regional folklore and cultural contributions that helped to form our national heritage
Teaching & Learning Theory
Student learning and success are intended to be maximized by the utilization of the Seven Multiple Intelligence’s as proposed by Howard Garner. Students will be given options regarding a final project:
- Verbal/Linguistic- write a children’s book/magazine article
- Logical/Mathematical- make a timeline of important events
- Visual/Spatial- make a mural or diorama
- Musical/Rhythmic- write and perform a play or skit
- Bodily/Kinesthetic- create models of the “time period” food, dress, homes, etc…
- Interpersonal- option to work with others in a group
- Intrapersonal- option to work alone
Products
- Teaching Tool (html file)
- Teacher Notes (pdf file - must have Adobe Acrobat viewer in order to view the file. Click here to download the viewer)
- Diary (pdf file. Download Acrobat Viewer )
- Self-evaluation (pdf file. Download Acrobat Viewer )
Multimedia Design Tools
- PowerPoint
- MS Word
- Microsoft clip art