History Units for Grades 3–5

Build Your Plymouth History Unit Around Story & Song

PlymouthRock.org offers flexible history units for Grades 3–5 that help students explore Plymouth Rock, the Pilgrims, and the Wampanoag/Patuxet people using a blend of social studies, literacy, and music.

Use the materials as a short mini-unit, a full multi-week unit, or as the backbone of a classroom musical.

Core Topics Covered in the Units

Each unit is designed to support your existing state standards while bringing history to life.

• Plymouth Rock as a Symbol – what the Rock stands for and how stories grow over time
• The Pilgrims’ Journey – who they were, why they came, and what they found
• Wampanoag/Patuxet Perspectives – Indigenous people, land, and lifeways before and after contact
• Life in Early Plymouth – daily life, work, cooperation, and conflict
• History, Legend, and Myth – separating what we know, what we think, and what we imagine

What’s Included with the History Units

History units connect directly with the story and songs from Rockin’ The Secrets of Plymouth Rock and may include:

• Short Readings & Narratives based on the book and historical background
• Guided Discussion Questions for whole-class and small-group work
• Primary & Secondary Source Connections (age-appropriate)
• Writing Prompts for opinion, narrative, and reflective writing
• Creative Arts Activities that tie into selected songs from the musical
• Print-and-Go Worksheets (timelines, maps, vocabulary, close reading)

Units can be taught with or without a full performance of the musical, depending on your time and resources.

👉 Preview sample pages

Integrate Music into Your History Unit

Each history unit can connect to specific songs from Rockin’ The Secrets of Plymouth Rock, giving students:

• A memorable melody for key concepts and vocabulary
• Opportunities for singing, movement, and performance
• Entry points for reluctant readers through lyrics and rhythm

Teachers can choose to use just the songs as listening activities or expand into a full classroom performance.

Respectful, Balanced Storytelling

All history units are developed with care to:

• Honor the experiences of the Wampanoag/Patuxet people
• Avoid stereotypes and oversimplified “holiday stories”
• Encourage students to ask questions and think critically
• Support teachers in presenting multiple perspectives

The goal is not just to remember dates, but to understand people, choices, and consequences.

How Teachers Use These Units

• As a complete Plymouth history unit in Grades 3–5
• As a mini-unit before or after a field trip to Plymouth
• As an interdisciplinary project with music, art, and ELA
• As a lead-up to performing Rockin’ The Secrets of Plymouth Rock

Units are flexible enough to adapt for different schedules, class sizes, and teaching styles.