Pilgrims Lesson Plan

1. Stretch. Pray. Review responsibility.

2. Discuss I Thessalonians 5:18.

3. Recap Jamestown.

4. Go into kitchen and watch as a mom cuts a pompion (pumpkin) into 4 pieces (or do this ahead of time -- which is what we did). If you have extra time, the children can scoop out the seeds. Place the pumpkin quarters on a foil-lined pan and bake at 400 for 1 hour.
MOM 1: YOU WILL NEED: cutting board, sharp knife, large foil-lined baking sheet, bowl to hold seeds, spoons for scooping out seeds & a large pumpkin

5. Ask children to each name something they know about the Pilgrims. If no one mentions the Mayflower, mention it and tell them we're going to all squeeze together like the Pilgrims did in the hull of the Mayflower. Squeeze together in the hallway. The mom reading the story sits in the front and mom #2 sits in the back of the children to keep them squished in.

6. Read Three Young Pilgrims by Cheryl Harness about Pilgrims and Mayflower voyage while sitting in the hallway.

7. After reading, ask the children how they enjoyed sitting all cooped up. This is what the pilgrims experienced for months at sea amongst feeling seasick and having to smell other people who had gotten sea sick.

8. Talk about what the pilgrims really wore and how that is different from what people typically think of when they think about what the pilgrims wore. We will make stereotypical pilgrims costumes to be kept (not to go home today) so they can be used during Thanksgiving co-op night:

a) Pilgrim Collar: On white paper, cut out a large circle. On one side, cut a "v" that points to the center of your circle and cut a center hole wide enough to fit around your lower neck. Punch a hole in each side and attach yarn at the opening (where you cut out the 'v") to tie around your neck and lay on your shoulders. Opening is worn at the front.
MOM 2: YOU WILL NEED: 13 sheets of white paper, hole punch, 26 pieces of white yarn each about 15 inches long, 12 pairs of children's scissors

b) Head coverings: Separate boys and girls.

- Pilgrim Hat for Boys (for 6 boys)
Follow the directions at this link.

MOM 3: YOU WILL NEED: 6 hats cut out of black posterboard cut according to the dimensions on the web page, 6 headbands cut out of black posterboard, 12 paperclips or stapler, glue, 6 gold buckles made from gold wrapping paper

- Pilgrim Bonnet for Girls (for 6 girls)
Follow the directions at this link.
MOM 4: YOU WILL NEED: 6 12x18 pieces of white paper, hole punch, 12 pieces of white yarn or ribbon, & children's scissors

9. Try on Pilgrim collar & head-coverings and sing 23rd Psalm. (Psalm 23B from New Song's Psalms of Praise CD) We will sing this psalm during the Thanksgiving presentation night.

10. Read about Squanto: Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving by Eric Metaxas. (Historical note: Eric Metaxas combines Squanto's two kidnappings into one event. From what I have read in various books Squanto was kidnapped as a boy and sold as a slave in England where he lived for 8 years. He eventually met with John Smith who took him to explore the territory now known as Massachusetts. John Smith was in one ship and Captain Hunt accompanied Smith in another ship. John Smith allowed for Squanto to return to his village. After John Smith left, Captain Hunt kidnapped a number of Native Americans including Squanto and sold them into slavery in Spain. Squanto was then purchased by Monks, taught about Christianity, and eventually let free to live in England and wait for an opportunity to return to America.)

11. How pilgrims grew corn picture: On the bottom of a piece of paper glue 3 goldfish crackers with heads together. Glue 5 grains of popcorn kernels around the fish. Glue a rounded mound shape over the corn and sprinkle dirt over it. Shake off excess. Don't cover fish and corn. While they glue together their pictures, remind them of how Squanto taught the pilgrims to plant corn.
MOM 1: YOU WILL NEED: 12 pieces of paper (computer printer paper will work), 36 goldfish crackers (plus more for snacking), about 60 popcorn kernels, handful of soil, & glue

12. Plant real corn. Give each child a ziplock bag and have them write their name of the bag. Let each child scoop out a cupful of potting soil and place 2-3 popcorn kernels in the soil. Add some water and seal bag. Tell children to put it in a sunny window and the seeds should sprout in about a week. (Yes, this does work! Two moms left the bags in their vans and the next week a corn plant was growing!)
MOM 1: YOU WILL NEED: 12 Ziplock bags, potting soil, 12-36 popcorn kernels, 4 disposable cups (for handling the soil and water)

13. Make Stewed Pompion (Pumpkin): Divide children into 4 groups and give them each a quarter of the baked pumpkin. Give them each a spoon to scoop out the pumpkin into a bowl (OR do this ahead of time if the pumpkin is still really hot -- which is what we did). Have them mash pumpkin with a mixing spoon and then each group will add 2 teaspoons cider vinegar, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to their mixing bowl. Let the children each try a spoonful. This is the way it was served back then. Then each group will add 3 tablespoons butter and 1/3 cup brown sugar. Serve it to the children in disposable cups along with cups of water if they would like some. The children did not especially care for this, but it was a staple to the pilgrim's diet. Send the remaining "Stewed Pompion" home with any mom who would like to make pumpkin bread or pumpkin pie with the leftovers.
MOM 1: YOU WILL NEED: 12 spoons (NOT disposable), 6 tsp. ground ginger, 2 tsp. salt, 1 large mixing bowl, 1 mixing spoon, 1/3 measuring cup & 1 teaspoon
MOM 2: YOU WILL NEED: 12 tablespoons butter or margarine, 1 large mixing bowl, 1 mixing spoon, 1/3 measuring cup & 1 teaspoon
MOM 3: YOU WILL NEED: 8 tsp. cider vinegar, 1 1/3 c. brown sugar, 1 large mixing bowl, 1 mixing spoon, 1/3 measuring cup & 1 teaspoon
MOM 4: YOU WILL NEED: 24 small disposable cups, 1 large mixing bowl, 1 mixing spoon, 1/3 measuring cup & 1 teaspoon

14. (If you have extra time) Read about life of Pilgrim girl & boy: Sarah Morton's Day and Samuel Eaton's Day both by Kate Waters.

15. (If you have extra time) Make Pilgrim Fox and Geese game and practice playing. Follow these directions to make the "Pilgrim Fox and Geese Game".
YOU WILL NEED: 12 printed off board games with game directions, 12 Ziplock bags, 180 (15x12) dried beans, and 15 dried beans of a different color

16. Let children select prizes if they made Jamestown fort replica that was assigned last week as a bonus homework assignment.

17. 5 Minute Review of what we learned.

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Animal Classification (5 weeks)
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Early American Settlers (4 weeks)
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