Why Did the Pilgrims Get Sick? A Thanksgiving Nutrition Education Unit on Vitamin C

We always talk about Thanksgiving and the Pilgrims , but did you know over half of them died the first winter due to the lack of an essential nutrient? Thanksgiving is the perfect time to teach a quick and easy mini unit for kids. This unit  is geared toward lower elementary age kids. Learn the story of how important Vitamin C was to the Pilgrims, what it is and the benefits it has to the human body.

I was inspired to create this kit from making a Mayflower centerpiece for my son’s 3rd grade class. It’s exactly what I have pictured. I wanted to do a video about it this year, and I was inspired to do some easy education on Vitamin C and scurvy. I will look for any reason to teach kids about nutrition. This seemed like a no-brainer since I had the centerpiece idea.

Everything listed below is included in this fun and exciting kit! It wouldn’t be complete without a fun and snack activity, MAKE A MAYFLOWER CENTERPIECE! 

This kit includes: 

1 – one page reading passage

1 – mini book

1 – nutrition vocabulary cards

1 – questions about the story

1 – answer key to questions

1 – how to make the Mayflower Centerpiece

1 – Mayflower sail (print on durable cardstock)

1 – Visual  description of Mayflower Centerpiece

 

Why Did the Pilgrims Get Sick?

I am including a preview of what the kit contains. I recommend it for lower elementary grades, 2-4.  You could still use it in 5th grade. I love the print and go vocabulary cards. You can have students cut them into 4 cards and take them home inside their mini book. You may prefer the one sheet reading passage if you have older ones, but I gave you a choice. 

If you like this kit, don’t forget to check out my other resources for kids in my shop!