Thanksgiving: The Uncomfortable Perspective

LESSON DESCRIPTION

“Thanksgiving: The Uncomfortable Perspective” is a 60-minute ESL lesson for upper-intermediate students (B2-C1) that delves into Thanksgiving’s complex and lesser-known history. This lesson introduces Indigenous perspectives and explores the challenging truths behind Thanksgiving, helping students build vocabulary, reading comprehension, and critical thinking skills through discussions, video analysis, and reflection on resilience, cultural heritage, and the impact of colonization.

Why Choose This Lesson?

• Warm-Up Discussion
  Students share what they know about Thanksgiving, discuss why it’s essential to explore multiple perspectives, and consider the significance of examining untold historical truths.
• Vocabulary Matching
  Key terms, such as European settlers, Indigenous, resilient, and war crimes, are introduced with matching exercises to build an understanding of Thanksgiving’s historical context.
• Reading and Vocabulary Exercise
  Students read a passage covering Thanksgiving’s complex history, with fill-in-the-blank vocabulary to reinforce essential terms and concepts related to cultural resilience and historical struggles.
• Video Comprehension & Reflection
  Students watch Honoring Indigenous People on Thanksgiving, discussing questions that challenge traditional Thanksgiving narratives and bring Indigenous perspectives to light. This reflection encourages students to think about how Thanksgiving could honor both gratitude and historical truth.
• Listening & Discussion Activity
  In a podcast segment, students explore how Thanksgiving can be reframed to respect Indigenous histories and discuss inclusive ways to celebrate.

Ideal For:

• ESL Teachers guiding upper-intermediate students through culturally relevant, thought-provoking content
• Classes focused on developing vocabulary around social and cultural topics, as well as critical thinking skills
• Students interested in exploring Thanksgiving’s untold history and its impact on Indigenous communities through interactive language activities

Download from Perfect Teacher

Download “Thanksgiving: The Uncomfortable Perspective” from Perfect Teacher to present a nuanced exploration of Thanksgiving’s history in your classroom. This lesson plan empowers students to critically examine the holiday’s origins, recognize the resilience of Indigenous communities, and reflect on how Thanksgiving can be observed with cultural sensitivity and inclusivity.

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