Description

Looking for a History of Thanksgiving video activity, a National Day of Mourning lesson, or a self-checking Thanksgiving activity that teaches the real story? In this video activity, students watch The REAL History of Thanksgiving and The National Day of Mourning, answer questions, and unlock a hidden picture with every correct answer.

Instead of teaching Thanksgiving as one happy feast, students hear the story from more than one perspective, including why many Native Americans observe a National Day of Mourning. It’s a no-prep Thanksgiving lesson for upper elementary and middle school social studies.

What Students Will Do

• Watch The REAL History of Thanksgiving and complete a video worksheet
• Watch The National Day of Mourning and complete a video worksheet
• Answer multiple choice video analysis questions for each video
• Self-check their answers in a Magic Picture Reveal as a hidden image appears

What You Get

• Two video activities with video links included
• Video analysis questions for The REAL History of Thanksgiving
• Video analysis questions for The National Day of Mourning
• Two self-checking Magic Picture Reveal activities, one for each video
• Print AND digital versions (Google Slides force-copy link included)

Why Teachers Love It

• No prep: press play and go
• Self-checking, so students get instant feedback and you have less grading
• Teaches the whole story of Thanksgiving, including the Wampanoag perspective
• Works individually, with partners, or as a whole class, in one period or across Thanksgiving week
• Print or digital, so it fits any classroom setup, including Google Classroom
• Created by a veteran history teacher and school administrator who uses these in real classrooms

Perfect For

• Thanksgiving lessons and activities for grades 4–8
• National Day of Mourning lessons
• Native American Heritage Month (November)
• Plymouth Colony and colonial America units
• The week before Thanksgiving break, sub plans, and early finishers
• Homeschool families

Frequently Asked Questions

What grade is this Thanksgiving video activity for?
It’s written for upper elementary and middle school, grades 4–8.

What is the National Day of Mourning?
It’s a day observed on Thanksgiving since 1970 by many Native Americans to remember the impact of colonization. The second video and its questions help students understand why.

How does the self-checking work?
Students enter their answers in a Magic Picture Reveal. Each correct answer reveals part of a hidden picture, so they know right away if they’re on track.

Is it print or digital?
Both. You get printable video worksheets plus a Google Slides version and the self-checking activities for Google Classroom.

Want the video AND the reading activity? Grab the History of Thanksgiving Bundle and save.

This purchase is for use in one classroom. For school or site licenses, please reach out directly.