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Critical Literacy for Young Citizens: First Graders Investigate the First Thanksgiving

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Abstract

In this piece, we share a story about the power of historical investigation as a means of developing critical literacy in young children. Drawing on the work of VanSledright (Social Educ 68:230, 2004), we outline four aspects of historical thinking as they relate to the development of critically minded citizens. We then turn to a discussion of a first-grade lesson on the First Thanksgiving Feast, reflect on the meanings children took from this experience, and explore possible implications and extensions.

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Teaching, Leadership & Curriculum Studies, Kent State University, 404 White Hall, Kent, OH, 44242, USA

    Jennifer Hauver James

  2. Rippowam Cisqua School, 325 W. Patent Rd., Mt. Kisco, NY, 10506, USA

    Michelle McVay

Authors
  1. Jennifer Hauver James
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  2. Michelle McVay
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jennifer Hauver James.

Appendices

Appendix A

List of Related State and National Standards

Ohio First Grade Social Studies Academic Content Standards (Ohio Department of Education)

Skills and Methods

  • Obtain information about a topic using a variety of sources

History

  • Distinguish between the past, the present and the future

  • Raise questions about how families lived in the past and use photographs, letters, artifacts and books to clarify what is known and unknown

  • Compare past and present with emphasis on daily life including:

    • Roles of men, women and children

    • Identification of basic human needs

    • Various ways people meet human needs

Related NCSS Thematic Strands

  1. i.

    Time, Continuity and Change

  2. ii.

    People, Places and Environments

  3. iii.

    Production, Distribution and Consumption

  4. iv.

    Science, Technology and Society

Appendix B

Complete List of Texts Used for Teaching

Bodden, Valerie. (2005). Thanksgiving. Mankato, MN: Creative Education.

George, Jean Craighead. (1993). The First Thanksgiving. New York: Philomel Books.

Grace, Catherine O’Neill, and Margaret M. Bruchac. (2001). 1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving. Washington, DC: National Geographic Children’s Books.

Harness, Cheryl. (2006). The Adventurous Life of Myles Standish and the Amazing-but-true Survival Story of Plymouth Colony. Washington, DC: National Geographic Children’s Books.

Harness, Cheryl. (1995). Three Young Pilgrims. New York: Aladdin.

Landau, Elaine. (2006). Celebrate the First Thanksgiving. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow Elementary.

McGovern, Ann. (1991). …If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620. New York: Scholastic Paperbacks.

Penner, Lucille Recht. (1997). Eating the Plates: A Pilgrim Book of Food and Manners. New York: Aladdin.

San Souci, Robert D. (1999). N·C. Wyeth’s Pilgrims. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.

Santella, Andrew. (2003). The First Thanksgiving. New York: Children’s Press.

Santella, Andrew. (2000). The Plymouth Colony. Minneapolis, MN: Compass Point Books.

Waters, Kate. (1993). Samuel Eaton’s Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Boy. New York: Scholastic Inc.

Waters, Kate. (1989). Sarah Morton’s Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl. New York: Scholastic Inc.

Waters, Kate. (1996). Tapenum’s Day: A Wampanoag Indian Boy in Pilgrim Times. New York: Scholastic Paperbacks.

Weisgard, Leonard. (1967). The Plymouth Thanksgiving. Garden City, NY: Doubleday and Co. Inc.

Appendix C

Online Resources for Teachers

For content, resources and primary documents on the first Thanksgiving:

For access to historical documents in general:

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James, J.H., McVay, M. Critical Literacy for Young Citizens: First Graders Investigate the First Thanksgiving. Early Childhood Educ J 36, 347–354 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-008-0296-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-008-0296-6

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