STEP 1

1. After reading through each article I feel like the first article, written on National Geographic Kids was closest to my childhood and current understanding of the first Thanksgiving. It was very simple and to the point. There wasn’t a lot of details which I think is important because no one really knows exactly was was worn, what was said and what they ate because we weren’t there. It had all the key components that I have learned about; the Mayflower, Plymouth rock, Native Americans helping with crops and hunting, and them sharing a meal to show friendship and gratitude.
2. Well my understanding of the event hasn’t changed much since I first learned about it in elementary school. I still have the same basic knowledge of how it came about and why we celebrate it today. I haven’t done any research or further investigation into what happened to the pilgrims and why its a national holiday. I still celebrate the same way with my family for the holidays, we have our special traditions. We eat thanksgiving dinner around 3:00 pm, my dad always has the football game on, my mom in the kitchen cooking all day (she always makes homemade pies and rolls), and then we play board games as a family. Since I have gotten older we have alternated holidays with my family and my husbands family. Sometimes the holidays can be a hassle; taking off work, traveling, finding someone to watch our dog. I find the holidays comforting but not as exciting as I did when I was younger.

STEP 2

1. I did find these interpretations interesting. They are very different from the simplistic, child-like interpretations we read earlier. They seemed more harsh and gave me a different insight into the pilgrims and how they made it work in the new world.
2. I found a couple of the articles compelling and they made me think differently about the true meaning of Thanksgiving. However, I don’t know how accurate any of the statements made by the authors are. Therefore I’m not sure it changes my thoughts about the holiday or situation right away. I would need to do more research into their sources. I do find some of the information reasonable and I feel like it makes sense as to why the pilgrims struggled in the beginning. It also makes me think that leadership/government played a much larger role in the new settlement than what is taught in school.
3. 1st article: Richard J. Maybury- publisher U.S. and World Early Warning Report for Investors. His belief is Juris Naturalism (do all agreed upon and do not encroach on others or their property).

2nd article: Rush Limbaugh- Conservative radio show host and author.

3rd article: Del Tackett-he is a “tour guide”. He seems very religious and godly.

4th article: American Institute Economic Research (I couldn’t find an specific author for this article).            Their goal seems to educate the public on economic issues. It says on their website that they have objective,    reliable and useful information.

4. I don’t think knowing more about the authors changed my perception on their articles. I found that I connected to the 3rd article the most, but because of what it said not because of who wrote it. I do want to know whether the authors are credible because thats important to me in making a decision on what I believe.

STEP 3 

1. I found these articles more interesting than in Step 2. I enjoyed the perspective from each author, especially those of the last two articles. I think its important to hear the story and history from a Native American perspective.
2. I did find these articles compelling and reasonable. Article number 3 seemed accurate because as a school teacher Chuck Larsen wants to find a way to convey the truth in an educational way so that all children can have a better understanding of what really happened on the first Thanksgiving and what it meant to come to the new world. The last two articles were driven from a Native American perspective but seemed accurate and reasonable as it was their land to begin with and they feel they have a right to be heard and be a part of that history. This has changed my way of looking at the first thanksgiving to a more well rounded experience for all the people involved. Not just the pilgrims but the Native Americans as well, what they experienced and how it changed their world.
3. 1st article: Kate Zernike is a correspondent for the New York Times since 2000 and an author.

2nd article: Bob Edwards on NPR. He has a satellite radio program and is an author.

3rd article: Chuck Larsen is a public school teacher and historian.

4th article: Russell M. Peters is a Wampanoag indian and an author of Native American literature.

5th article: Frank B. James on the Teaching Tolerance website. He is also a Wampanoag indian and author.

4. I would say knowing more about these authors may have influenced my view a little bit. Knowing that Chuck Larsen is a school teacher and historian makes him more trust worthy. I would hope that he really wants to teach accurate information to children and has done research to make sure that happens. I’m not sure that the last two authors have incredibly accurate information but I do trust that they speak from truth because their history is passed down from generation to generation. It seemed like all the authors wanted some truth brought back into the teachings of the first Thanksgiving, which I think is important.

Step 4

1. I think for historians to make sense of this event, they would research the topic and try to find reliable sources that describe and elaborate on the details. I feel like historians would compare information with other historians, evaluate all the evidence available and ask questions. To make sure that their narrative is accurate and objective they would find out where there sources are coming from, situate the document to a place and time, carefully consider what the source is saying and the language being used, and use multiple sources to determine points of agreement and disagreement.
2. I think anyone looking to make sense of this event would ask questions. They would ask friends and family, professors and colleagues for their opinions. A big component of todays society is the internet, and I believe most people would start searching for their answers on the world wide web. Another great resource is the library. I think that most people will end up determining which is more compelling based on what they find on the internet, how they were raised and what the people closest to them are saying and believing about the event.
3. To find a primary source I would probably go to the library. A primary source is a first hand account of the event. For example a letter from the pilgrims or a diary entry. I would think that the library would have a copy of either of these documents.
4. To find a secondary source I would probably look on the internet. A secondary source is an interpretation of a primary source. I would google “first thanksgiving” and use Wikipedia or an excerpt from a textbook to gather my information.