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EL Civics for ESL Students
Thanksgiving Lesson

ESL Thanksgiving Day Lesson

Thanksgiving Day is the fourth Thursday in November. It is a federal holiday, so schools, banks, post offices, and government offices are closed. Thanksgiving was the first holiday celebrated in America. It was first celebrated in the autumn of 1621 when the Wampanoag Indians and the pilgrims got together for a three-day feast and festival of fun. Today, families celebrate Thanksgiving by eating turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, yams, corn, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and an NFL football game are special Thanksgiving Day events. Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday of November. (3-page lesson)

Pilgrims
The Pilgrims and Indians Eating

What is Thanksgiving?

It is a federal holiday that is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.

The first Thanksgiving was in 1621 when the pilgrims invited the Indians to a three-day feast to celebrate the autumn harvest.


Mayflower Ship
The Mayflower Ship in the Water

Who were the pilgrims?

The pilgrims were a small group of people who sailed to North America in order to start a new life.

They sailed on the Mayflower ship and landed on Plymouth Rock.

The Pilgrams wanted religious freedom.


Thanksgiving Day Worksheets for Students

Sample of Writing Worksheet

Thanksgiving Crossword

Answer Key for Thanksgiving Crossword

Thanksgiving Writing Exercise

Thanksgiving PowerPoint

Deep Fried Turkey PowerPoint

Thanksgiving Cut and Alpabetize Worksheet

Squanto Worksheet

Thanksgiving Bingo

Bingo Calling Cards