This was a fun hands on learning sensory bin. We did a Thanksgiving Sensory Bin that was similar last year. This year we paired it up with a different book. It is called Squanto’s Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving. This story is told from a Natives point of view. Because of some of the terms in the book we do use the word Indian. We also talked about the different tribes mentioned in the book.

This activity allows for the exploring or items in the bin and matching them up to the story as we read it. This is lots of talking and interaction for the story. You can do lots of simulated set up of that time and of what they are learning.
What you need for this activity: Coats & Clark Red Heart Classic Yarn: Tan, Squanto’s Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving
, Powhatan Indians Toob
, Safari Ltd. Jamestown Settlers Toob
, small squash and bin.

They had a lot of fun exploring this fun bin. They all had different parts that they liked. First they explored the squash and corn. They sorted them out by color and type. Then compared different sizes and shapes.

They pulled the figures out and sorted them by Powhatan Indians Toob (we called Indian as in the way it was used in some of the Thanksgiving books) and Safari Ltd. Jamestown Settlers Toob
(that we call Pilgrims).

The girls then made homes for each of the sets of toobs. The yarn became more logs and cabin walls and dirt outside. They had a lot of fun with this. If we had not had to get ready for the day they might have played for a while longer.

For the final activity we did with this sensory bin was to use parts of the bin to help tell the story of Squanto’s Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving. As we read each page we talked about the page and then picked out what we heard and read about in the book and put the items on the pictures.

Looking for other thanksgiving activities? Check out these:
Check out all the Thanksgiving Printables & Activities on 3 Dinosaurs.
Cassie – 3Dinosaurs.com
Super cute bin! I didn’t make one for November, but have plans to for December!
Pingback: 365 Day Picture Challenge 328 – 334 | 3 Dinosaurs
Pingback: Books With Fall Sensory Bins | Little Bins for Little Hands
Pingback: Free Thanksgiving Prewriting Printables | 3 Dinosaurs
Pingback: Thanksgving Activities & Printables | 3 Dinosaurs
Pingback: Counting Turkey Feathers | 3 Dinosaurs