Unit 1: Beginnings

This lesson introduces students to Native American origin myths. Students research myths, summarize and illustrate the myth, and perform it for the class. This lesson should take one 90-minute class period or two 50-minute class periods.

In this lesson, students will read "Museum Indians" by Susan Power and reflect on stereotypes and preservation of culture. They will make a virtual museum of their own in response to the reading. This lesson spans one 90-minute class period or two 50-minute class periods.

A vocabulary list for "Museum Indians" by Susan Power.

In this lesson, students will study the writings of early European explorers. They will contrast and compare the expressions of these explorers, evaluate content in terms of audience and purpose, and create their own personal diaries. This lesson should take three 90-minute class periods or six 50-minute class periods.

A list of vocabulary and definitions from A Diary of Christopher Columbus and A Description of New England.

These questions accompany the reading of John Smith's "A Description of New England."

Answer Key

This one-week assignment asks students to keep a diary observing a specific location over the period of a week.

The purpose of this lesson is to introduce students to literature of the early American Colonies, identifying colonists' perception of Native Americans. Students will read excerpts from these texts by Roger Williams and reflect upon their own perspectives of different cultures. This lesson can be completed in one 90-minute class period or two 50-minute class periods.

This chart will help students organize their responses to "A Key into the Language of America."

In this lesson, students will read and reflect upon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. They will then write their own sermon, arguing for an issue about which they feel strongly. This lesson lasts two 90-minute class periods or three 50-minute class periods.

A vocabulary list for "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God."

In this lesson, students will read "The Minister's Black Veil" and discuss the main ideas of Puritanism. They will identify and discuss their views of Puritan tenets while practicing textual analysis. This lesson spans one 90-minute class period or two 50-minute class periods.

A list of vocabulary words and definitions from The Minster's Black Veil.

This worksheet contains short answer questions for The Minister's Black Veil.

This is a complete answer key for teachers.

In this lesson, students will discuss lyrics from their favorite popular musing before reading selections of poetry by Anne Bradstreet. They will analyze Bradstreet's work in terms of poetic devices and cultural context. Students will then create their own poetry, based on Bradstreet's form, using the tune and beat of a current song. This lesson covers one 90-minute class period or two 50-minute class periods.