Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Thanksgiving Book Favorites

As we celebrate Thanksgiving together this year, on Tuesday's we will be highlighting some well-loved book suggestions for Read-Alouds, Younger Students and Older Students  from the Thanksgiving Unit Study Adventure.



Family Read-Aloud:

William Bradford: Plymouth’s Faithful Pilgrim, by Gary D. Schmidt. Published by William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.



A terrific book for the family, particularly for ages 10 and up. The author carefully walks the reader through the childhood, developing faith, and experiences of William Bradford. The book
brings together the details of the Separatists – their emigration from England to the Netherlands and then to the New World. The artwork, maps, and photos add depth and unforgettable meaning to the story of this man and his work to establish a vital colony. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!


Younger Students:


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Published by Scholastic Trade.

Step back in time and spend a day with seven-year-old Samuel Eaton as he helps to bring in the rye harvest-a man's job-for the first time. Exited to be doing such grown-up work, he perseveres through blisters and soreness, and at the end of the day earns the compliment of being invited him to help with later harvests. Learn what clothes are worn, what chores had to be done, what people ate, and other information about what life in 1627's Plimoth Plantation. 40 pages with glossary and historical information, softcover. Ages 4 and up.



Sarah Morton’s Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl, by Kate Waters. Published by Scholastic Trade.

See what a day in the life of 9-year-old Pilgrim Sarah Morton was like! A classic Thanksgiving book, photographs of Plimoth Plantation interpreters show the chores, games, education, garments, and lifestyle of 1627 alongside the story of Sarah's friendship with her friend Elizabeth and her family's life with a new stepfather. 32 pages with glossary, softcover.

Older Students:








The Landing of the Pilgrims , by James Daugherty. Published by Random House.
 
In England in the early 1600s, everyone was forced to join the Church of England. Young William Bradford and his friends believed they had every right to belong to whichever church they wanted. In the name of religious freedom, they fled to Holland, then sailed to America to start a new life. But the winter was harsh, and before a year passed, half the settlers had died. Yet, through hard work and strong faith, a tough group of Pilgrims did survive. Their belief in freedom of religion became an American ideal that still lives on today.


James Daugherty draws on the Pilgrims' own journals to give a fresh and moving account of their life and traditions, their quest for religious freedom, and the founding of one of our nation's most beloved holidays—Thanksgiving.  Ages 10 and up.
Be sure to join us on Facebook, we're sharing this Thanksgiving Journey together all through the month with activities, inspiration and fun!

3 comments:

  1. I went ahead and purchased all of the books you listed here. I figured since I still have 3 children who haven't started school yet, I will get plenty of use out of them! LOL It's also easier than running to the library and not being able to find what I want. I am looking forward to reading all of them and sharing them with the children.

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  2. We did this study many years ago when my children were young. We loved reading Sarah Morton's Day and Samuel Eaton's Day. I think the study was very enjoyable. We took a break from ancient history that year and studied about Thanksgiving for the month of November. The kids loved it!

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  3. I bought the Samuel Eaton book at a used curriculum sale this year. A great book for $.75! The full color photographs really help my kids understand what Samuel is doing, especially when he puts on his pilgrim clothes!

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