1. “Thanksgiving means more then giving thanks” Group Assignment

2. INTRODUCTION The U.S. Congress has decided to change the name of the holiday celebrated on the last Thursday in November. The name "Thanksgiving," the lawmakers say, doesn't capture the entire spirit of the day. The holiday should be a day for more than just giving thanks. Now, Congress has asked your class to help choose a better name.

3. TASK Brainstorm what the day called Thanksgiving is all about. Research Thanksgiving customs and experiences. Identify character traits that might be demonstrated in our Thanksgiving practices. Choose a new name for the holiday. Create a short poster presentation explaining your choice and reasons for it.

4. STEP 1 Working in groups of four, complete the following steps: Step 1: As a group, brainstorm everything that comes into your minds when you think of the holiday called Thanksgiving. If you're stuck for ideas, try answering these questions: What do you do on that day? Who do you spend the day with? How do you feel on that day? What's your favorite part of the day? What do other people do on Thanksgiving? What special events happen in your community?

5. STEP 2 Step 2: –The Historian: researches past Thanksgivings, beginning with the First Thanksgiving, and gathers at least 10 facts about the history of the day. –The Newspaper Reporter: researches the Thanksgiving events that happen in your community on Thanksgiving, and gathers at least 10 facts about them. –The Social Worker: researches character traits and make a list of at least 3-5 traits other than gratitude. –The Team Leader: organizes the poster, grouping similar thoughts under such headings as "Our Thanksgiving Traditions" or "Past Thanksgivings." The Team Leader also makes sure each group member is on time and on task.

6. STEP 3 Step 3: Each member of the team uses appropriate online resources as well as library resources, if available, to find the information needed to complete his or her assignment.

7. STEP 4 Step 4: Team members share their research and begin working on their poster.

8. STEP 5 Step 5: The team chooses one character trait it thinks best fits the spirit of the November holiday, and creates a new name around that character trait.

9. STEP 6 Step 6: The team works together to create a Poster presentation: –The Historian needs 5-10 facts about the history of Thanksgiving. –The Reporter needs 3-5 interesting events that happen in your community at Thanksgiving time. –The Social Worker needs a listing of 3-5 character traits and what they mean connected to Thanksgiving. –The Team Leader should make sure everything is on the poster and is creative/neat.

10. STEP 7 Step 7: Each team member presents his or her contribution on the poster for the entire class. The class votes on the best name to recommend to Congress.

11. RESOURCES History of Thanksgiving – The First Thanksgiving http://www.scholastic.com/scholastic_thanksgiving/The First Thanksgiving –Plimoth Plantation's You Are the Historian http://www.plimoth.org/education/olc/index_js2.htmlPlimoth Plantation's You Are the Historian –The History Behind the Holiday http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,184383,00.htmlThe History Behind the Holiday –Thanksgiving History, Customs, and Traditions http://www.wilstar.com/holidays/thankstr.htmThanksgiving History, Customs, and Traditions http://www.wilstar.com/holidays/thankstr.htm –http://www.thanksgiving.org/usa.html Thanksgiving in Your Town Look for newspapers from your community, either online or in your library. –http://www.yapclub.com/dfw/thanksgiving.aspxhttp://www.yapclub.com/dfw/thanksgiving.aspx –http://www.dallasnews.com/ Character Traits –www.GoodCharacter.com Click trustworthiness, respect, fairness, caring, and citizenship, then write their definitions.GoodCharacter.com

12. EVALUATION Your grade will reflect: The accuracy of your research as demonstrated by your notes. (15 points) The quality of the activity assigned to your role. (20 points) The quality of your group's final presentation. (30 points) Your contribution to the group process. (20 points) Your role in presenting your group's work to your classmates. (15 points)