I’ve always loved Thanksgiving. (It probably doesn’t hurt that I was born on that holiday, but still …..) It’s a special day where you can hang out with family and friends, eat yummy foods, and enjoy the togetherness – without having to worry about decorating (which I find stressful), having a jam-packed seasonal schedule, or dealing with extreme heat; but what does it mean to us as a nation?
The year 1789 is significant to the history of this holiday, even though this kind of celebration started centuries before. George Washington, at the behest of a joint Congressional committee, called for the first national Thanksgiving to celebrate the ratification of the Constitution. His proclamation describes the reasoning, the way the day should be celebrated, and puts the event into context.
The resource I’ve built uses Washington’s 1789 Proclamation as a foundation. In this lesson, students analyze that document to understand the context and order of events. They then choose a current event which is worthy of a national celebration and plan that event. Related mini-projects ask them to do creative work to share their plans with the general public.
This resource includes a complete lesson plan and all related student pages, making it completely print-ready. You’ll find vocabulary lists, modifications for learners of different ages and abilities, and extension activities for advanced students or early finishers. Answer keys for the analysis process and scoring rubrics for student work are all included.
While I had Thanksgiving on my mind as I created, this lesson is not necessarily Thanksgiving oriented but primary-source based. It’s creative and engaging to keep students focused while on a holiday high, but it’s appropriate for anyone studying Washington’s 1789 Proclamation or the meaning of national celebrations and holidays. This is perfect for a middle or high school civics or history class, homeschool students, co-ops, or those in history clubs.
*I love asking students to examine history to find answers to current questions. This lesson centers around an essential question that students use the historical document and basic word definitions to discuss, then they flip the questions forward to create their own celebrations. This connection between the past and present helps them see both in a new light and will keep them engaged throughout this lesson.
So there you have it! The new Create Your Own National Celebration based off Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation is now in the store.
Find this and other creative resources in my TpT store A Nest in the Rocks here!
How do you teach your students to use primary sources? How do you keep them engaged when excitement is high? I’d love to hear your thoughts – share them in the comments below!
What are your thoughts?