Explain to the students that there are many factors and historical events which have shaped our Thanksgiving celebration. Ask students to think of some examples. Discuss with the students some of the symbols we see at Thanksgiving. Talk about students' ideas of their origin and meaning. Divide students into groups of five.
Students can read the summary individually or aloud in their groups and then discuss their ideas.
When they are familiar with the symbols, they should get back into their base groups and share the information they have become an expert about. Students may want to write down some notes, because after base groups have discussed, the teacher will roll the dice or spinner. Students will visit different centers throughout the classroom making items which have stemmed from Thanksgiving celebrations throughout our nation's history, and would have been found at Thanksgiving celebrations in earlier times. Divide the students into three groups. One center will be making the corn husk dolls, one group will make the popcorn balls, and the third group will make molasses taffy.