Teacher Name: Thomas M Givens
School: Bush Hill ES
Subject Area: Social Studies
Grade/level: 6th
Lesson Plan Template
based on Understanding by Design by Jay McTighe and Grant Wiggins
Title of Lesson
Phillis Wheatley – America’s First African American Poet
Unit Topic
6th Grade Social Studies, Revolutionary War Unit
Enduring
Understanding
What are the
big ideas that
have value
beyond the
classroom?
What are the
core
processes at
the heart of
the discipline?
As a result of this lesson, students will understand:
Why Phillis Wheatley is important in United States History.
Content
Knowledge
What specific
content
knowledge will
students
acquire as a
result of this
lesson?
As a result of this lesson, students will know:
Her biography, read one of her poems, and read General George Washington’s letter
to her.
Skills
What are the
specific skills
developed by
this lesson?
As a result of this lesson, students will be able to:
Discuss Phillis Wheatley and her role in the Revolutionary period.
SOLs
addressed
Virginia Standard USI.6c, describing key events and the roles of key individuals in the
American Revolution.
1
Length of
Lesson
Approximately
how long will
this lesson
take?
30 minutes
Overview of
lesson Briefly
summarize the
lesson.
Prior
Knowledge
Are there
specific
knowledge or
skills the
students must
have before
they begin this
lesson?
All the information is contained in a PowerPoint slideshow. Teacher and students can
discuss the biographical information as it is presented as well as her poem to General
George Washington and his response to her.
Resources
needed
Phillis Wheatley, Negro Servant to Mr. John Wheatley, of Boston. Frontispiece
engraving to Wheatley's Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral. Rare Book
and Special Collections Division. LC-USZC4-5316 (color).
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/images/tlc0395.jpg
Books?
References?
Audio/Visual
Material?
***please
include copies
of hand-outs
***
None.
George Washington to Phillis Wheatley, February 28, 1776
The George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress 1741-1799
http://memory.loc.gov/mss/mgw/mgw3h/001/013012.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/mss/mgw/mgw3h/001/014013.jpg
The Prayer at Valley Forge / painted by H. Brueckner ; engd. by John C. McRae, New
York : John C. McRae, c1866. George Washington praying under trees; military camp
in background. Prints and Photographs Division LC-USZ62-4036 DLC
http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3a00000/3a07000/3a07400/3a07460v.jpgCredit
A letter from Phillis Wheatley to Dear Obour, Dated Boston, March 21, 1774.
Printed Ephemera Collection; Portfolio 37, Folder 26b.
http://memory.loc.gov/rbc/rbpe/rbpe03/rbpe037/0370260b/001dr.jpg
A means to show the slideshow is required. No speakers are required. MS
PowerPoint 2003 or newer is required.
Process of
lesson
Explain how
lesson will
unfold. Write
Students should be able to see the tv or screen where the slideshow will be shown.
Teacher and students can discuss the various aspects of her life as her biography is
presented. Students can be called upon to read her poem to General Washington.
His letter in response to her is shown both as a transcription and in its original form.
Students can try to read the original or discuss it.
2
this section so
that another
teacher could
follow your
instructions.
Be sure to
include
a hook or
warm-up and
student
performance
tasks.
Students can also discuss the drawings of Ms Wheatley and General Washington.
Evaluation
Since this is SOL material, evaluation will come from standard tests prepared for this
How will you
unit.
know that the
lesson was
successful?
Describe what
type of student
assessments
you will use to
evaluate
understanding.
Include the
criteria you will
use or attach
rubric.
Extension
Activities
What further
activities might
be done to
increase
student
understanding
on this topic?
1. Students could be asked to write their own poem to General Washington.
These could then be read to the class or posted.
2. Students could write and perform a play depicting their view of the meeting
between General Washington and Ms Wheatley.
Possibilities
for
Differentiation
How can this
lesson be
adapted for
different
learners or
different
classes?
Honors: Students could compare her poems (additional examples can be found on
the Internet) with others of that period.
ESOL: Her poem can be paraphrased with greater emphasis put on the images in the
slideshow.
3
(Honors,
Special
Education,
English as a
Second
Language)
4