Myths, Truths, and Uncertainties Surrounding the Thanksgiving Story

1. Myths, Truths, and Uncertainties Surrounding the Thanksgiving Story LauriCarideo Gabrielle Ehlers Brianna Scott Tamara Stovall

2. INTRODUCTION

3. Introduction • Social Studies Curriculum omits controversy • Typical Thanksgiving Story • Presented with myths • Lacks truths • Claims absolute account • Accurate Examination of the Thanksgiving Story • Should allow students to: • Explore different accounts • Understand complicated interactions between competing groups • Exhort myths • Understand truths • Internalize the Holiday • Relate it to their personal experiences (Loewen, 2007; Wills, J. S. 2001) “If textbooks allowed for controversy, they could show students which claims rest on strong evidence, which on softer ground” (Loewen, 2007, p. 39).

4. NYS Social Studies Standards • Standard 1: History of the United States and New York • Standard 5: Civics, Citizenship, and Government (New York State Education Department, 2009)

5. Theoretical Framework • Constructivist Theory • Children actively create their knowledge of the world based on their experiences • History is socially and culturally constructed, not found • Critical Multicultural Theory • Using educational institutions as agents of positive social change • Curricula should not only include diverse points of view, but they should discuss cultural interactions; oppressed groups shouldn’t be framed as spectators, but as agents; and the true power relationships between groups of people in the population should be openly discussed (Lightfoot, Cole & Cole, 2009; Kilpatrick, 1918; as cited in Schultz, 2001; Dewey, 1916; as cited in Schultz, 2001; Wills, 2001) (Lightfoot, Cole & Cole, 2009; Kilpatrick, 1918; as cited in Schultz, 2001; Dewey, 1916; as cited in Schultz, 2001; Wills, 2001)

6. Content Knowledge

7. A typical Thanksgiving Narrative… The Pilgrims sailed from Europe on the Mayflower to escape religious persecution and settled at Plymouth Rock. To rejoice their survival in “The New World,” they celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621. A local Indian named Squanto befriended the Pilgrims and introduced them to local Indian tribes. The Pilgrims invited the Indians to celebrate the first Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims and Indians feasted on turkey, potatoes, berries, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and popcorn. They became great friends.

8. Mayflower Passengers Myths • All passengers were Pilgrims Truths • Many ordinary folk, English Separatists, and other colonists Uncertainties • Plymouth colonists used religious justifications for their poor treatment of the Indians (Dow & Slapin, 2004; M.M. Bruchac, correspondence, Fall 2004 ).

9. Squanto Myths • Formed instant and positive relationship with Europeans Truths • Captured by an Englishman, sold into slavery in Spain, eventually escaped • Most of his tribe killed from an epidemic brought to his village by the Europeans • Translated for the settlers and taught them how to farm Uncertainties • Motives • Squanto was present for the 1621 feast • Cause of death (Gudzune, 2008; Knoji, 2012; Loewen, 2007)

10. The ‘First Thanksgiving’ Myths • 1621 was the ‘first Thanksgiving’ • The menu consisted of modern day Thanksgiving food Truths • Both groups celebrated many Thanksgivings prior to 1621 • There was a feast in 1621 • Declared annual holiday in 1863 Uncertainties • How the Indians and Europeans came together for the feast (Cleary, 2010; Dow & Slapin, 2004; Foldvary, 2004; Peter, 2011; Wampanoag Celebrations)

11. Relationship Between Indians & Europeans Myths • The Indians and Europeans became great friends Truths • Things quickly went downhill after 1621 • Epidemic • Competition for resources • Pequot War & King Philip’s War (Bates, 2011; “Pequot,” 2012; “King Philip’s War”, 2012)

12. Teaching Narrative

13. Thanksgiving Lesson Plan • Lesson is part of Unit on Myths • Lesson Rationale • Standards and Social Studies Skills • Objective • Context • Lesson Flow • Differentiation • Assessments • Field Trips (optional) • Field Trip info to Plimoth Plantation (approx. 4 ½ hours from NYC) • Virtual Field Trip

14. Lesson Flow

15. Differentiation • Flexible grouping • Read aloud & preview text • Scribes, audio recording devices, laptop, PPT • Audio, visual documents • Organize and plan for movement around the room

16. Pyramid Planning

17. Assessment • In class students share their new Thanksgiving narratives. In the follow-up they discuss their family narratives. • Students discuss the evidence they used to construct their narratives. • Evaluate the history writing process and think of ways to improve it overtime

18. References Bates, S. (2011). The real story of thanksgiving. Retrieved from http://www.manataka.org/page269.html Cleary, S. (2010, Novemer 23). PBS website. Inside American experience - From times to tomes: An abridged history of Thanksgiving. Retrieved from v http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/blog/2010/11/23/times-tomes-thanksgiving/ Dewey, J. (2001). “Democracy and education: an introduction to the philosophy of education.” In F. Schultz (Ed.) S.O.U.R.C.E.S. notable selections in education (3rd ed.) (pp. 39-44). Guileford: McGraw Hill/Dushkin. Dow, J., & Slapin, B. (2004). Deconstructing the myths of “the first Thanksgiving.” Multicultural Review, 13(3), 44-53. Foldvary, F. (2004, November 22). Thanksgiving day: The true story. The Progress Report. Retrieved from http://www.landandfreedom.org/news/112204.htm Gudzune, J.R. (2008, November 27). The story of Thanksgiving – Squanto and the Wampanoag. Retrieved from http://suite101.com/article/the-story-of-thanksgiving-a80951 Knoji. (2012). Squanto and the first Thanksgiving. Retrieved from http://thanksgiving.knoji.com/squanto-and-the-first-thanksgiving/ Kilpatrick, W. H. (2001). “The project method.” In F. Schultz (Ed.) S.O.U.R.C.E.S. notable elections in education (3rd ed.) (pp. 45-52). Guileford: McGraw Hill/Dushkin. King Philip's War. (2012). The History Channel website. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/king-philips-war Knoji. (2012). Squanto and the first Thanksgiving. Retrieved from http://thanksgiving.knoji.com/squanto-and-the-first-thanksgiving/

19. References (Continued) Lightfoot, C., Cole, M., & Cole, S. (2009). The development of children (6th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers. Loewen, J.W. (2007). Lies my teacher told me: Everything your American history textbook got wrong. New York: Simon & Schuster. New York State Education Department. (2009, April 28). Learning standards and core curriculum. Retrieved from http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/socst/ssrg.html Peter, M. (2011). When was the first Thanksgiving? New England Folklore Blog. Retrieved 10:15, June 11, 2012, from http://newenglandfolklore.blogspot.com/2011/11/when-was-first-thanksgiving.html Pequot. (2012). The History Channel website. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/pequot.Wampanoag Celebrations. (n.d.). Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head website. Retrieved fromhttp://www.wampanoagtribe.net/pages/wampanoag_education/celebrations?textPage=1. Wills, J. S. (2001). Missing in interaction: Diversity, narrative, and critical multicultural social studies. Theory and Research in Social Education, 29(1), pp. 43-64.

20. Questions?