The concepts of democracy and freedom may be different or non-existent in the cultures of your students. The study of the Pilgrims, the Mayflower Compact, and the settlement of Plymouth is an excellent opportunity to develop an understanding of religious freedom and self-government with second language learners. Highlight the importance of immigration in the history of the United States and link this information to students' own experiences. Help your students see the Pilgrims as the first immigrants.
Graphic organizers are important to make information comprehensible to second language learners.
Standard 2, Goal 2. Vocabulary needed Pilgrim, Mayflower, passenger, freedom, Compact, pray, king, Native Americans, tools, equal, rules, warriors, harvest, self-government, religious freedom. Vocabulary will vary according to grade and English language level. Either use the Explore America materials or look for library books with simple pictures in it about the Pilgrims' voyage on the Mayflower and the founding of the Plymouth Colony. To make the text difficulty level irrelevant, tell the story using the pictures in the book.