Thanksgiving Is Coming! Factoids to Share with Kids About the Pilgrims

Pilgrim Factoids
Possible Interactive Notebook Activity
by
Gail Skroback Hennessey

1. Over the years, many people took samples of Plymouth Rock. Today, it is now one-third of the size it was during the time of the Pilgrims.
2. The sailors on the Mayflower didn’t care for the Pilgrims and called them “flib-gabbety puke stockings” because so many of the Pilgrims got seasick.
3. Would you wear the same clothes for 66 days? The Pilgrims did!
4. The Pilgrims didn’t have forks on the table at Thanksgiving. Forks weren’t popular until the 18th century.
5. There weren’t any ovens to make pumpkin pie and sugar was in short supply. The Pilgrims also didn’t have cranberry sauce to eat at Thanksgiving.
6. Historians believe that in addition to turkey, the Pilgrims ate lots of venison, cod, clams, sea bass, and lobster at their Thanksgiving feast.
7. Did you know that there wasn’t any milk at the first Thanksgiving? There weren’t any cows brought over on the Mayflower!
8. Here is a list of some of the unusual names of some of the Pilgrims: Oceanus, Resolved, Peregrine, Wrestling, Love, Remember, and Humility.
9. The Mayflower traveled at a speed of 2 mph and traveled 2,750 miles from England to North America. The voyage took 66 days.
10. During the first winter, most of the Pilgrims lived aboard the Mayflower. Half the Pilgrims did NOT survive the first winter.
11. Of the 102 passengers, there were 34 children on the Mayflower’s voyage.
12. The Wampanoag Indians were guests at the first Thanksgiving.

Extension Activities:

1. Each family on-board the Mayflower could only bring one trunk of possessions with them. What would be 7 things you’d pack?
2. Some historians think when the Mayflower was no longer sea-worthy, its lumber may have been used in the construction of a barn. Read the story here.
3. See this 5-minute clip on the Pilgrims, then write 5 facts you learned.
4. See a list of the Passengers on the Mayflower in 1620.
5. Illustrate a factoid about the Pilgrims.

Links for Teachers:

• Fun Pilgrim Trivia Facts And Information For Thanksgiving 2015: The History Behind Plymouth Settlers
• Homework? We Can Help!

Additional Resources of Interest:

1. A Ms. Bie Ograffee Reader's Theater Script, an interview with Love Brewster, a Pilgrim of Plymouth Colony. Love was an actual member of the 102 Pilgrims that came to America. He was about nine years old. The play includes info on Mayflower, the first winter, and the Thanksgiving feast. It also includes fun facts, comprehension questions, extension activities, and links.
2. The Mayflower was named after a flower called the "Trailing Arbutus." This flower is an evergreen with a white flower and pink center. Learn more about the Mayflower and the Pilgrims with this fun webquest. Extension activities, additional information and links, and key are provided.
3. Want a fun and informative activity to teach your students about the history of the first Thanksgiving? This webquest has 11 informative text questions on the history of Thanksgiving and turkeys. Hope you find it of value to use with your students.

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