3rd Grade History & Social Studies — Explorers and Settlers — God's Hand in the New World
Students will learn why the Pilgrims left England, how they sailed on the Mayflower, and how God provided for them in the New World.
In England, the King told everyone they had to worship in the Church of England. A group of Christians called Separatists believed they should be free to worship God in their own way, according to the Bible. Because of this, they were treated badly.
These brave Christians first moved to Holland, but they worried their children were losing their English ways. So they decided to sail to the New World where they could worship freely. We call these faithful people the Pilgrims.
In September 1620, 102 Pilgrims boarded a ship called the Mayflower. The voyage was long and dangerous — storms rocked the ship, and many people got sick. But they prayed and trusted God to bring them safely to land.
Before they went ashore at Plymouth, Massachusetts, the Pilgrim men signed the Mayflower Compact. This was an agreement to make fair laws and govern themselves. It was based on Biblical ideas of justice and equality.
The first winter was very harsh, and nearly half the Pilgrims died. But God sent help through a Native American named Squanto, who taught them to plant corn and catch fish. In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims held a feast of thanksgiving to praise God for His blessings.
Write a short thank-you prayer like the Pilgrims might have prayed at the first Thanksgiving. Then draw a picture of the Thanksgiving feast.