Colonial American Literature Unit: John Smith and William Bradford

Need something to spice up older colonial American literature? This lesson packet is your answer to making "A Description of New England" by John Smith and "Of Plymouth Plantation" by William Bradford relevant, engaging, and fun for today's teens.

"A Description of New England" by John Smith lessons contain the following:

► Step-by-step instructions for each day

► Excerpts from "A Description of New England" by John Smith neatly printed onto 4 sheets - they can be double-sided and stapled. This also comes in a translated, easier-to-read version. Plus, both are in a separate file in case you want to email students the excerpt rather than print.

► Reading quiz in 2 versions with answer keys - also comes in an editable PowerPoint in case you wish to make changes.

► Marketing and advertising discussions and activities from a popular slogans competition to great commercials. Students will also examine other awesome methods of advertising, which are detailed in the instructions. The reason advertising goes so well with Smith's piece is because the purpose of "A Description of New England" was to persuade settlers to come to the New World, which makes it a colonial advertisement.

► Teens Relate Debate - instructions included.

► Student handout with requirements for developing marketing campaigns to bring people to the New World. Students are divided into companies whose task is to develop marketing products to present at their company's board meeting. Specific instructions are included - even down to how to set up the class on the day of presentations.

► Student Reflection for Advertisement Handout includes instructions and rubric for grading

► Student marketing campaign participation scale

► Links to relevant and informative video clips.

The original text of "A Description of New England" by John Smith is used here so that students have the opporyunity to examine primary historical texts. The original text is challenging to read, but as much as students text and change the spelling of words, they should be able to figure out the unusual spelling of some of the words!

Students will utilize real-world, 21st century skills in order to accomplish the goals for this lesson. They will design, create, collaborate, write, evaluate, and reflect. Plus, they have freedom to select a product that aligns with their talents whether that be technology, art, acting, etc.

Students will be engaged with this unit and think critically while also problem-solving and having fun!

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"Of Plymouth Plantation" by William Bradford lessons include:

► Step-by-step instructions

► 3 page excerpt from "Of Plymouth Plantation" by William Bradford - also in a separate file in case you want to email students the excerpt rather than print.

► Matching audio links for each excerpt to use with struggling readers- Sheesh! That took a long time to match up!

► Reading quiz in 2 versions to deter cheaters with answer key - these are also included in an editable PowerPoint in case you wish to make changes.

► Song/poem parody option to summarize the excerpt

► Station activity with prepared thinking questions

► Bell ringers to get students thinking about each day's lesson

The original text is used here as well. I did locate audio for the original text version of Bradford's "Of Plymouth Plantation" and matched the recording to the text in case students need help.

Students will be engaged with these lessons from both colonial pieces. This unit definitely brings life to some older literature that doesn't always catch students' attention.

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If you need an ENTIRE semester of American literature lessons and activities at your fingertips, visit American Literature Full Year/Semester.

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