Day 2 Lesson Plan
Objective:
 To continue the study of African American poetry and culture.
 Discuss and interpret poems.
 Introduce students to dialect writing.
Standards: 1.1.11A
1.3.11F
1.1.11B
1.6.11C
1.2.11A
1.6.11E
1.2.11B
1.6.11F
1.3.11C
Materials:
 Internet in the classroom/ability to display images on screen in front of class.
 Dialect poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar: After a Visit
 Hand out of Native American History
Methods:
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Students will break into their assigned groups and discuss the poem(s) they
researched the night before.
Once students share their information in groups, the class will come together for a
discussion.
-As each group discusses their thoughts, be sure to do some deep analysis
of what would have made that particular poet write what he/she did.
-social conditions
-family life
-cultural traditions
As each group discusses their poet and poem with the class, the teacher will
display a picture of the poet on the computer-screen.
Explain the definition of dialect and the many forms it can take.
-i.e. Irish, Spanish, German, etc.
Display Paul Laurence Dunbar’s “After a Visit” on the overhead projector.
Have the students attempt to read it aloud
-Suggest some another reading that contains dialect:
-Joel Chandler Harris- Uncle Remus folktales
Homework: Hand out a brief writing about NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY.
The students will have this read for the next day.
ASSESSMENT:
Students will be informally assessed by teacher who will check to see that students are
following the story and participating as appropriate.
DEFINITION OF DIALECT
di·a·lect dictionary.com
1.
a. A regional or social variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation,
grammar, or vocabulary, especially a variety of speech differing from the
standard literary language or speech pattern of the culture in which it
exists: Cockney is a dialect of English.
b. A variety of language that with other varieties constitutes a single
language of which no single variety is standard: the dialects of Ancient
Greek.
2. The language peculiar to the members of a group, especially in an occupation;
jargon: the dialect of science.
3. The manner or style of expressing oneself in language or the arts.
4. A language considered as part of a larger family of languages or a linguistic
branch. Not in scientific use: Spanish and French are Romance dialects.
DIALECT POEM
By PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR
AFTER A VISIT
I BE'N down in ole Kentucky
Fur a week er two, an' say,
'T wuz ez hard ez breakin' oxen
Fur to tear myse'f away.
Allus argerin' 'bout fren'ship
An' yer hospitality-Y' ain't no right to talk about it
Tell you be'n down there to see.
See jest how they give you welcome
To the best that 's in the land,
Feel the sort o' grip they give you
When they take you by the hand.
Hear 'em say, "We 're glad to have you,
Better stay a week er two;"
An' the way they treat you makes you
Feel that ev'ry word is true.
Feed you tell you hear the buttons
Crackin' on yore Sunday vest;
Haul you roun' to see the wonders
Tell you have to cry for rest.
Drink yer health an' pet an' praise you
Tell you git to feel ez great
Ez the Sheriff o' the county
Er the Gov'ner o' the State.
Wife, she sez I must be crazy
'Cause I go on so, an' Nelse
He 'lows, "Goodness gracious! daddy,
Cain't you talk about nuthin' else?"
Well, pleg-gone it, I 'm jes' tickled,
Bein' tickled ain't no sin;
I be'n down in ole Kentucky,
An' I want o' go ag'in.
NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY
NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURES
The America that greeted the first Europeans was, thus, far from an empty
wilderness. It is now thought that as many people lived in the Western
Hemisphere as in Western Europe at that time -- about 40 million.
Estimates of the number of Native Americans living in what is now the United
States at the onset of European colonization range from two to 18 million, with
most historians tending toward the lower figure. What is certain is the devastating
effect that European disease had on the indigenous population practically from the
time of initial contact. Smallpox, in particular, ravaged whole communities and is
thought to have been a much more direct cause of the precipitous decline in
Indian population in the 1600s than the numerous wars and skirmishes with
European settlers.
Indian customs and culture at the time were extraordinarily diverse, as could be
expected, given the expanse of the land and the many different environments to
which they had adapted. Some generalizations, however, are possible.
Most tribes, particularly in the wooded eastern region and the Midwest, combined
aspects of hunting, gathering and the cultivation of maize and other products for
their food supplies. In many cases, the women were responsible for farming and
the distribution of food, while the men hunted and participated in war.
By all accounts, Indian society in North America was closely tied to the land.
Identification with nature and the elements was integral to religious beliefs. Indian
life was essentially clan-oriented and communal, with children allowed more
freedom and tolerance than was the European custom of the day.
Although some North American tribes developed a type of hieroglyphics to
preserve certain texts, Indian culture was primarily oral, with a high value placed
on the recounting of tales and dreams. Clearly, there was a good deal of trade
among various groups and strong evidence exists that neighboring tribes
maintained extensive and formal relations -- both friendly and hostile.