Ms. Q: Unit 1--Colonial Literature--Plan

Here is a brief outline for unit 1. I have titled it colonial literature, even though Native American lit is part of it. Still working on a different title. I have 8 days to cover this unit, 90 minutes each period. There will have to be an end of unit assessment which will eat up at least 1/2 a period, but more likely a full period. Let me know your thoughts, suggestions, etc.

Unit 1: Colonial Literature
UbD Filter
Why study colonial literature?
· Native American myths—because myths are part of every culture.
· Shows a difference between beliefs and culture of Native American thought and European thought.
What makes the study of American colonial literature universal?
· Taking over something (especially land and people) has been occurring since the beginning of time.
· Without colonization, the USA would be very different
What’s the Big Idea implied in the skill or process of reading colonial literature?
· All cultures express their beliefs in an effort to convey these beliefs.
What larger concept, issue, or problem underlies a study of colonial literature?
· Many different cultures came together to create the “American” culture.
What couldn’t we do if we didn’t understand colonial literature?
· How Native Americans became a displaced minority.
· How the culture of American has changed throughout the years.
How is colonial literature used and applied in the larger world?
· It is used to determine how life was lived during this period.
What is a real world insight about colonial literature?
·
What is the value of studying colonial literature?
· Gain a sense of who founded our nation.
Essential Questions
· How is a culture defined?
· What has helped define American culture?
· Where do people get their beliefs?
· How are beliefs passed from one generation to another?
Essential Understandings
· Although depicted as savages by Europeans, Native Americans had their own belief systems, around which their societies were built.
· European colonists and their belief systems were as diverse as the Native Americans.
· All literature is rooted in a culture.
· Many modern stories use ideas from past stories.
Essential Knowledge
· Author’s purpose
· Structure
· Metaphors
· Myths—creation
· Historical narrative
· Storytelling
Essential Skills
· Reading with a purpose—determine a culture’s belief system
· Literary analysis—author’s use of structure to tell a story
· Writing to convey understanding of content
Works Studied
· The World on the Turtle’s Back (Iroquois creation myth)
· The Way to Rainy Mountain (Momady-short story)
· La Relación (de la Cabeza—historical narrative?)
· Of Plymouth Plantation (Bradford—historical narrative)
· To My Dear and Loving Husband/Upon the Burning of My House (Bradstreet—poetry)
· Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (Edwards—sermon)
Acceptable Evidence
Performance Tasks/Projects
· Group telling of a past/present/future cultural myth—either real or created by the group—based on a list of criteria created by class.
· Create a poem/sermon depicting cultural beliefs of teenagers today—following criteria in rubric.
Quizzes/Tests/Academic Prompts
· Vocabulary Quiz
· Knowledge/Comprehension Test
· Writing Prompts (1 per section OR literary analysis)
Other Evidence
· Chart on cultural beliefs of Native Americans versus colonists
Student Self Assessment
· Elements covered—page 129 textbook--students will list all elements covered into student journal and will write what they know about each. If there are elements they don't know or are confused about they will highlight them and write them on a "Question for the Teacher" sheet.