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The First (Grade) Thanksgiving
Much of the history people know never happened
The picture above is of my son’s first-grade class in 2003 when they were learning about and celebrating Thanksgiving in school. My son is the one kneeling furthest to the right. He is the one frowning. Why is he frowning? Let me explain.
In the early elementary grades, teachers like to do special things on holidays for their students. In years past, this involved celebrating a student’s birthday, decorating the classroom for Halloween and wearing costumes, or exchanging Valentine’s Day cards. The adults think it’s cute, and the kids have fun.
I’m not against kids having fun in school. When I was in school, I had fun once or twice myself. It’s a good thing if done right. I do, however, have a problem with teaching about Thanksgiving this way because it plants the seeds of a false narrative in the minds of small children. Small children tend to believe what they are told, and first impressions are lasting ones.
If you don’t believe me, ask any random adult about the first Thanksgiving and they will most likely tell you it is when the Pilgrims and “Indians” got together and…
