GRADE LEVEL: 11
COURSE: American
Literature &
Composition
Technology
UNIT: Exploration
and Settlement
Texts
Idea for lesson using
technology
Intro to exploration
and settlement (1517th centuries)
Using the internet for
research
Find additional
passages from
Columbus’ journal or
letters that relate to
passages read in
textbook; discuss in
groups
Christopher
Columbus
Blogging
Write a response to a
passage we read in
Columbus’ letters or
diary from the point
of view of either one
of Columbus’ crew
members or a native
of the islands
The Columbus
Controversy, Part I
Using YouTube
Watch You Tube
videos on debate
over Columbus as a
historical figure; take
notes
The Columbus
Controversy, Part II
Podcasting (like a
radio show)
Podcast a debate
over Columbus with
members of the class
assigned to different
sides
Other Early
Explorers: Vespucci,
Las Casas, de Vaca,
Cartier, de
Champlain,
Making a movie
(students)
Use digital
technology to make a
movie of an
eyewitness account
Lesson (10 total)
OBJECTIVES
As a result of this
lesson, students will
be able to:
Perform basic
online research;
find common
themes across texts;
engage in
discussion with
others; enhance
reading
Use technology for
effective written
communication;
contribute
independent ideas
to a larger group;
think creatively
while considering
the point of view of
another
Understand
Columbus as a
controversial figure;
understand the
character of the
debate; synthesize
and analyze video
Use technology for
effective spoken
communication;
understand the key
arguments to the
debate about
Columubus;
collaborate in a
group setting
Use digital
technology
effectively;
understand the
elements of
eyewitness
accounts; compare
today’s technology ,
Early Settlements:
Virginia and New
England
Presentation
Use presentation
software to illustrate
a short biography of
an early settler
Puritanism
Mapping
Captivity Narrative:
The Case of Mary
Rowlandson
Digital Storytelling
New France
Google Tools
Review
Timeline
Collectively use
mapping software to
show the relations
between community
members during the
Salem witch trials
Use a digital
storytelling format to
tell about a time
when you felt
trapped, either
literally or
figuratively
Use Google Earth to
find a location
significant in the
texts we’ve read;
create a Google Knol
to share something
you have learned in
this unit
Use Timeline
software to create a
timeline from
Columbus’ first
voyage (1492) to the
New England
religious revivals
(1740s)
and its role in
eyewitnessing, with
that of the past
Use technology for
effective
communication;
publish a
presentation online
Use technology to
organize concepts
and analyze
relationships
Use technology to
enhance narrative;
empathize with
Rowlandson in the
state of her
captivity
Use Google tools;
reflect upon
learning
Use software to
organize historical
events; review
information learned