Native American Literature--Learning Focus Lesson Plan

Table 1. Rabun County School System Lesson Planning Form

Unit Lesson Planning Form 
SubjectEleventh-Grade Composition and Literature / American Literature
TimelineLast Two Weeks of August
TopicNative American Literature
Grade11
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS / KEY QUESTIONS

  1. How does prewriting and a clear thesis help maintain a consistent tone and focus throughout an essay?

    1. How do we form a thesis for an analytical essay?

    2. What is a "matrix" and how can it help us plan an essay?

  2. How do writers present their cultural heritage so that their audience understands, remembers, and possibly shares those values?

    1. In what ways are Native American stories similar (i.e. cultural values, settings, characters)? How are they different?

    2. How do we identify theme or underlying meaning in a story or poem?

    3. How can we tell a two-dimensional character from a three-dimensional character?

HOOK--ACTIVATING STRATEGIES (Activating Prior Knowledge, Key Vocabulary, Unit Map)

Key Vocabulary

ablutions

cleansing the body as part of a religious rite

alight

to descend and lightly settle

cardinal points

the four main points on a compass (north, east, south, west)

conjurer / conjuror

a person who practices magic, especially one that makes things appear

confederate

united with others for a common cause

creation myth / origin myth

stories that explain customs, institutions, or religious rites; natural landmarks such as a great mountain; events beyond people's control

deliberation

careful consideration

disposition

an inclination or tendency

ethos

The disposition, character, or fundamental values peculiar to a specific person, people, culture, or movement. Our values. Sounds Like ethics.

logos

The power of reason residing in the human soul. Our ability to use reason. Sound like logic.

mythos

The pattern of basic values and attitudes of a people, characteristically transmitted through myths and the arts. Our belief system. Sounds like myth or mythology.

pathos

A quality, as of an experience or a work of art, that arouses feelings of pity, sympathy, tenderness, or sorrow. Our feelings. Sounds like sympathy.

protruded

jutted out; poking out

vault

something like an arched roof

ACQUISITION LESSONS--BEST TEACHING STRATEGIES--RESOURCES (Daily Guided Practice Driven by State Standards)
Reader's Guide Questions to the Stories in the Textbook
GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
A Matrix and Essay Planning Table in the Essay Guide
SUMMARIZING STRATEGIES (Ticket Out the Door, Oral Discussion, Note-Taking and Review, Art Analysis, Graphic Organizer)

  • Answer a key question or an essential question each day this lesson is taught.

  • Art Analysis / Theme

    • Show the picture and read the story of The Protectors by L. David Eveningthunder.

    • Using the picture and the story, explain the theme of The Protectors.

EXTENDING THINKING ACTIVITIES (Writing, Thinking Skills--Compare/Contrast, Classify, Categorize, Cause/Effect, Fact/Opinion, etc)
Reader's Guide Questions to the Cherokee Myths from the Internet
CULMINATING ACTIVITY (Project, Product)
Analytical Essay (explaining how three myths or stories present Native Americans' cultural values)
ASSESSMENTS

  • Pre-Test

  • Post-Test (Unit Test)

Georgia Performance Standards

Eleventh-Grade Composition

  • ELA11W1 a-d

  • ELA11W2 b

American Literature

  • ELAALRL1 e, f

  • ELAALRL2 a, d

  • ELAALRL3 ai