Mini Thanksgiving Unit

This week we finished up our Dog Unit and worked on a mini Thanksgiving Unit

Watched Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower on PBS
Took a virtual tour of the Mayflower and tour the ship
Played some Thanksgiving games and puzzles
Mankind’s History and Customs of Thanksgiving
The Science of Thanksgiving
- Squanto taught the Pilgrims a special way to plant corn. He molded
  dirt into low mounds with several seeds and fish in each mound.
  The decaying fish provided food for the corn. He also taught them
  to plant other crops, like pumpkin, with the corn.
- Here is what you’ll need to gather:
  • 2 gardening containers: 2 small pots, plastic containers, or plastic cups.
  • Potting soil or good planting soil
  • Seeds—lima bean seeds work quickly. If you use lima beans found in the dry bean section of
  the grocery store, soak the seeds in water overnight before planting.
  • Fish emulsion fertilizer. This can be found at any home improvement center or gardening center. Fish emulsion fertilizer has a strong odor, but there are brands that are deodorized. (Since we have an aquarium, I used the water that we remove when we clean the aquarium… much cheaper
- • Gloves to wear when handling the fertilizer.
  • Masking tape or some other way to label one of the containers with an “F” for fertilizer.
  Directions:
  1. Complete the “What I Think Will Happen” section on the next page.
  2. Fill each container with soil. Make sure the containers are the same and the same amount of
  soil is put into each.
  3. Plant 2 seeds in each container.
  4. Label one container with an “F” for fertilizer (Or, draw a fish on the cup!)
  5. Fertilize the seeds in the container marked with an “F”, according to the package directions.
  6. Water the other container with the same amount of water.
  7. Place both containers in the same location (bright light).
  8. Continue to water one container with water and the other with water and the fish emulsion fertilizer.
  9. Complete an observation log.
Learned about The Legend of the Five Kernels of Corn
During the first Thanksgiving feast, Pilgrims put five kernels of corn on each plate to remind themselves of their blessings. Their blessings are listed below.
The first kernel reminds us of the autumn beauty around us.
The second kernel reminds us of our love for each other.
The third reminds us of God’s love and care for us.
The fourth kernel reminds us of our friends-especially our Native American brothers.
The fifth kernel reminds us that we are a free people.
Take the Wilstar Thanksgiving Quiz