About This Lesson
In this unit, students explore the essential question, "How does independence define the American spirit?" by tracing the evolution of liberty from the nation’s origins to the present day. Grounded in foundational texts like the "Constitution of the Iroquois Nations" and the Declaration of Independence, the unit examines the ideals of equality, life, and liberty. Students will critique how these concepts have been upheld or contradicted throughout history by engaging with a diverse range of literature, including The Scarlet Letter, "Bartleby, the Scrivener," and "Indian Boarding School: The Runaways."
While the unit focuses on a specific genre—fiction —it encourages reading across genres—including poetry and historical documents—to provide a multifaceted view of American identity. As students analyze these works, they will investigate the changing scope of independence in American society. The unit culminates by shifting the focus from reading to writing; students will apply their understanding of story elements to craft their own original narrative writing projects.
