Three Perspectives on Native American Removal and Westward Expansion

The two features that we like best about this lesson are the interesting primary source materials and the framework that is provided for group work related to the texts. The readings are presented as a packet of letters, documents, stories, and speeches that have been edited to make them easier for students to read. The group guidelines establish clearly defined roles within the groups. These roles compel students to look at specific features of the texts like source, context, and audience. Thus the group-work guidelines make it easier for students to see what they need to pay attention to when looking at primary sources.

The focus questions for each document which are provided at the end of the document package are also helpful. These questions help to ensure that students understand the documents, but teachers will likely want to add additional questions to meet their specific learning objectives.

The two lessons in this unit use the same basic packet of 10 readings, but neither lesson provides detailed instructions about how the materials should be used. Teachers are encouraged to select readings and questions to meet the needs of their students. Finally while neither lesson requires writing, there are a variety of opportunities to insert meaningful writing tasks into the lessons, particularly in the final assessment of the second lesson.

Notes

Teachinghistory.org Lesson Plan Rubric

Field	Criteria	Comments
Historical Content	Is historically accurate?	Yes
Historical Content	Includes historical background?	No. Background for teachers but not students.
Historical Content	Requires students to read and write?	No. Close reading required but little writing.
Analytic Thinking	Requires analysis/construction of interpretations using evidence?	Yes. Group roles require evidence search and interpretation.
Analytic Thinking	Requires close reading and attention to source information?	Yes. Limited information about resource origins.
Scaffolding	Appropriate for stated audience?	Yes. Flexible for a wide range of students.
Scaffolding	Includes scaffolding materials and strategies?	Yes. Tasks arranged in order of difficulty.
Lesson Structure	Includes assessment criteria focused on historical understanding?	Yes. Written response to guiding questions recommended.
Lesson Structure	Defines clear learning goals and progresses logically?	Yes. Clearly stated, but teachers should focus on one or two objectives.
Lesson Structure	Includes clear directions; realistic for classrooms?	No. Very few directions provided.