Lesson Plan: Identify Cultural Influences - Hiawatha
- Lesson Plan
- Standards
Print Lesson PlanOverview
Students identify aspects of Native American life represented in the poem and illustrations of Hiawatha, illustrated by Susan Jeffers, based upon the epic poem, The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Why is this an important concept?
Learners expand their thinking and their comprehension of texts when they consider how culture influences the characters and plot. For example, cultural influences can help explain a character's motivation or could explain the conflict in a text.
Grade Level:
5-7Suggested Time
50-minutes
Media Resources
- Hiawatha QuickTime Video
Materials
- Native American Life and Culture handout
- Unlined paper for illustrations
The Lesson
Part I: Learning Activity
1. Make copies of the Native American Life and Culture handout and distribute to each student.
2. Explain to students that they will watch a video segment presenting a portion of the classic epic poem Hiawatha, written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Longfellow wrote the original poem in 1855 because he was intrigued by Native American culture. Consider watching the entire segment one time without asking students to take notes. While watching the segment, ask students to identify aspects of Native American life and culture in the 1800’s that are depicted in the poem.
3. Watch the segment a second time. Ask students to take notes on the Native American Life and Culture handout and then discuss in small groups.
For students who need additional guidance:
Consider pausing the video at intervals, allowing the students an opportunity to take notes on the various segments.
Part II: Assessment
Students select one aspect of Native American life depicted in the poem and illustrate it. On the back of their illustration, students write an explanation of their illustration and what aspects of Native American culture it depicts.
Portfolio: The illustration and written explanation may be added to student portfolios to provide evidence that they have met this performance indicator.
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Loading StandardsMedia Resources Used in this Lesson:
Hiawatha
(QuickTime Video)
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Funding for the VITAL/Ready to Teach collection was secured through the United States Department of Education under the Ready to Teach Program.