A Pilgrims Journal Student Project

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The year is 1620, you are 10 years old and your family is leaving England, the country you were born in to begin a new life in America. They are leaving because the only religion allowed there is the official church of the government, and anyone who dares to contradict the church (and state) could be jailed or even executed... Your family wants to break away from the Church of England to practice their religion free of the government's rules. Many thoughts are in your mind at once! Leaving your friends and relatives behind for a strange new world...things will be different, but how? You decide to keep a journal of your experiences to help you express these feelings. Here is one version of the story of Thanksgiving to give you the background of your character's story. You can also read this version for other details. You may choose your identity from several places, begin the research of your character here. Look for the passenger list and choose a family name. Or you can read the book by Kate Waters, called "Sarah Morton's Day", which is the diary of a nine year old girl living at Plimoth Plantation in 1627.   Describe in your journal what your character looks like and tell us about your family.   Your pilgrim diary begins with a tale of your journey... George C. Wales American, 1868 - Mayflower, Cape Cod Bay, 1921 California State Library long loan Copyright retained by the artist. For the children aboard the Mayflower, the 65-day journey across the Atlantic must have seemed very long. Imagine that you are about to set sail with the pilgrims. Choose one favorite item to bring from home and explain what the item is and why you would take the item. Talk about your friends and write about other ways you amuse yourselves on the ship - (remember space was limited on the ship.)   Read the journal of one of the passengers on the Mayflower - William Bradford - who describes the weather and the journey to help describe these details in your entry.   The landing at Plimouth Rock... On November 21, 1620 the Pilgrims anchored off the coast of Massachusetts. Before they got off the boat, they signed the Mayflower Compact, Americas first charter for self government. Imagine you have just reached an unknown shore. What are your concerns? The Mayflower Compact was drawn up a full year before the first Thanksgiving. The original documents were lost, so what do you think was included on the original agreement? Read all about the Mayflower Compact. Can you describe your feelings as you land? Consider the Indians who were watching from the shore? What were their feelings about strangers coming to their land?   On March 16, 1621 , what was to become an important event took place, an Indian brave walked into the Plymouth settlement. The Pilgrims were frightened until the Indian called out "Welcome" (in English!). His name was Samoset and he was an Abnaki Indian. He had learned English from the captains of fishing boats that had sailed off the coast. After staying the night Samoset went out and introduced the Pilgrims to another Indian named Squanto. http://www.night.net/thanksgiving/first.html-ssi   Read the story of the relationship between Squanto and the Pilgrims. How did he help your family to survive and grow crops? Take a 'virtual' tour of the Plimoth Plantation to visualize your lifestyle...   What was the peace treaty with the Massasoit? Click here for a photo of the signing. What relations did the treaty lead between the two groups?   In 1621, the first Thanksgiving table looked much like yours, with turkey, squash, and cranberries. The traditions haven't changed much over the centuries, andthough our lives have changed dramatically, we still take time on this special day to give thanks, celebrating the blessings we have enjoyed.   The Pilgrims and Indians played many games during the three day Thanksgiving celebration: arm wrestling, competitions in running, jumping and "throwing the bar." They played stoolball, spoonball and stone toss. Here are someThanksgiving Games for all ages... Did they play any of these at the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth Colony? Read about the first celebration. Describe the Thanksgiving celebration- food, people, activities. View a Painting of First Thanksgiving. Write a letter to your friends or family back in England telling about your new home and your celebrations. "What would you say to each other? What would you now have in common? What are your hopes for the future? [back to top]