Educational Links

Listed below are some Internet web sites that you may find useful in your effort to learn more about the Mayflower and its passengers.

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window. External sites are not endorsed by the SMDPA.

Teaching Links

• The Pilgrims and Plymouth Colony 1620 — An outstanding history of the Plymouth Colony for students by former Education Committee chairman of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants Duane A. Cline. Clickable subchapters contain more details about each chapter. Should also be read by every adult.



• Plimoth-on Web — The site of the Plimoth Plantation living history museum in Plymouth, MA, where every day is a day in the year 1627. Includes photos of what a Pilgrim’s home, dress, and daily life really was like. Also activities, programs, internship programs, bookstore with primary reprints and gift shop, etc. as well as pages specifically for kids and teachers.



• Plimoth Plantation Online Learning Center — As you work through this guide, you and your students will use the skills of historians to peel away the layers of myth and misconception surrounding “The First Thanksgiving” and discover what might really have happened during the fall of 1621. Along the way, you and your students will explore the differences between history and the past, and challenge your own ideas about history. Be prepared; what you discover may surprise you!
  
• Caleb Johnson's Mayflower History — If you are a Mayflower descendant, you’ll learn a lot about her or him as well as the Mayflower, its crew and the later ships. Great material for reports such as a history of Squanto, Girls on the Mayflower, the first Thanksgiving, info about the Mayflower, great quotes for research papers of Pilgrims, etc.



• The Mayflower Dogs — Two dogs are believed to have arrived on the Mayflower. One an English Springer Spaniel, the other an Old English Mastiff. Visit this site to learn more about these Pilgrim Pets.



• Scholastic's The First Thanksgiving — Scholastic Magazine’s site that has much, much more than just Thanksgiving. There is even a teacher’s guide. Also fun for parents.



• PilgrimQuest II — PilgrimQuest & PilgrimQuest II: Computer software co-developed with the National Geographic Society. PilgrimQuest is applicable to grades 5, 8, and 11. PilgrimQuest II is suitable for "ages 9 to 90+."



• Pilgrim Hall's Learning! — Curriculum guides from Pilgrim Hall will help you teach about life in 17th Century Plymouth.

Thanksgiving Links

• Ben & Jerry's Thanksgiving Online



• Houghton Mufflin Education Place



• A Cape Cod Quiz by Kids — First read "A Cape Cod Sketch Book" and then see if you can answer the questions!



• A History of Squanto



• Girls on the Mayflower



• The First Thanksgiving



• About the Mayflower



• Great Quotes for Research Papers



• Interesting Passages Written by Pilgrims

Genealogical Links

• Genealogy Is Fun! — A very basic kids genealogy course taught by "Genmama."



• RootsWeb Guide to Tracing Family Trees — A series of 20 interactive lessons including "Heraldry for Genealogists" (lesson 19).



• Boy Scouts of America — Requirements for the Genealogy Merit Badge.



• USGen Web Kidz Site — The US part of the above WorldGenWeb. Suited to teenagers working on genealogy. Has a good list of links (e.g. printable forms, list of diseases & illnesses, occupations, & books).



• WorldGenWeb For Kids — A genealogy site especially for kids 18 and under. Also addresses home-schoolers. Basics are taught such as posting a query on a Web site Provides links to various RootsWeb world sites such as Africa, Asia, British Isles, Canada, Caribbean, Central Europe, Central America, East Europe, the Mediterranean, Mexico, the Mid East, the Pacific, South America, and the US.