Thanksgiving Webquest
Created by Lauren Bott, St. Mary Magdalen School

Subjects:  History, English, Reading

Introduction:  There have been many misconceptions and misunderstandings surrounding the first Thanksgiving.  In this webquest, you will search out the true story and dispel the myths surrounding the holiday.

Task:  You and your team will become detectives to follow the links answer the questions below.  Your answers will be processed in a Word document and turned in to Mrs. Bott for a library grade.  The paper should have your names and class on the upper left hand corner, and be typed in a font 12 point Arial or Times New Roman.  There should be no Word Art or other embellishments on the paper. Good luck!

Questions: 
1.  Go to Mayflower History, and find out who captained the Mayflower, and when and where it landed in the new world.  Find out something about who and what was aboard the Mayflower (adults, children, provisions) and include that in your answer.  You could also try The Mayflower Society.

2.  The Pilgrims were met by the Wampanoag Indians.  Tell me something about these native Americans by going to the Wampanoag History site or the Plymouth Thanksgiving Story   (where they lived, what they wore, what their homes were like, what they ate).  Try The First Thanksgiving from Scholastic to read more about the tribe.  How did they feel about the arrival of the new settlers?  Go to the Boston Children's Museum to read about Wampanoag life after 1620.

3.  What is the difference between the Wampanoag Thanksgiving, the first Thanksgiving, and the Thanksgiving we celebrate today? Go back to the Boston Children's Museum and visit The First Thanksgiving .  Try being a historian, and take a look at the myths about Thanksgiving from the History Channel. You could also read The Plymouth Thanksgiving Story .  

Each question is worth a maximum of 30 points for completeness and correctness of answer.  Grammar, spelling, and page set-up will count for 10 points.