Unit 3 US History Part 1--Reading and Writing Workshop
Workshop Overview
This workshop will cover key aspects of The Age of Exploration and Colonization from the late 15th to the 17th centuries, focusing on European exploration of the Americas, the motivations for colonization, and the resulting social, economic, and political impacts. Students will read primary sources, analyze key historical events, and engage in writing exercises to deepen their understanding of the period.
Learning ObjectivesBy the end of the workshop, students will:
Materials
Workshop Outline1. Introduction to The Age of Exploration (20-30 minutes)
2. Analyzing Primary Sources (45 minutes)
3. Critical Writing Exercise: Persuasive Essay (60 minutes)
4. Reflection and Conclusion (15 minutes)
Assessment
This plan offers a blend of reading, group analysis, and writing activities that focus on understanding the motivations, actions, and consequences of European exploration and colonization, all supported by primary sources from the public domain.
Workshop Overview
This workshop will cover key aspects of The Age of Exploration and Colonization from the late 15th to the 17th centuries, focusing on European exploration of the Americas, the motivations for colonization, and the resulting social, economic, and political impacts. Students will read primary sources, analyze key historical events, and engage in writing exercises to deepen their understanding of the period.
Learning ObjectivesBy the end of the workshop, students will:
- Understand the main motivations behind European exploration and colonization.
- Analyze primary sources from explorers, colonizers, and Indigenous peoples.
- Develop an understanding of the consequences of colonization on Native American populations.
- Write an analytical essay synthesizing their research.
Materials
- Excerpts from Christopher Columbus’ Letters (public domain)
- Excerpts from The Journal of the First Voyage of Vasco Núñez de Balboa (public domain)
- Excerpts from Bartolomé de las Casas’ A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies (public domain)
- Excerpts from John Smith’s The General History of Virginia (public domain)
- Map of the New World during the Age of Exploration (available in public domain)
Workshop Outline1. Introduction to The Age of Exploration (20-30 minutes)
- Lecture/Discussion:
- Discuss the motivations for exploration and colonization, including the search for wealth (gold), land, religious conversion, and trade routes.
- Introduce key figures: Columbus, Balboa, Magellan, and Cortés.
- Short Reading: Christopher Columbus' Letter to Ferdinand and Isabella (1493)
- Students will read an excerpt from Columbus' letter to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, in which he describes his discovery of the New World and his perceptions of the Indigenous peoples he encounters.
- Discussion Prompt: What does Columbus’ letter reveal about his motivations and perceptions of the Americas? How might this letter reflect the European mindset during the Age of Exploration?
2. Analyzing Primary Sources (45 minutes)
- Group Activity:
- Divide students into small groups, each assigned one of the following documents to read and analyze:
- Excerpts from The Journal of the First Voyage of Vasco Núñez de Balboa (1513)
- Excerpts from Bartolomé de las Casas’ A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies (1542)
- Excerpts from John Smith’s The General History of Virginia (1608)
- Divide students into small groups, each assigned one of the following documents to read and analyze:
- Guiding Questions for Analysis:
- What were the attitudes of Europeans toward the Indigenous populations they encountered?
- How did the explorers’ reports contribute to the justification of colonization and exploitation?
- How does Bartolomé de las Casas’ critique of Spanish colonialism differ from the writings of Columbus and John Smith?
- Share Out: Each group will share their analysis with the class, offering insights into their assigned document and making connections to broader themes in the Age of Exploration.
3. Critical Writing Exercise: Persuasive Essay (60 minutes)
- Prompt:
- Write an essay from the perspective of a 16th-century European explorer or colonist justifying the colonization of the Americas. Use evidence from the documents read in class to support your argument.
- Guiding Questions for Essay:
- What were the perceived benefits of colonization for Europeans? (Think in terms of resources, religion, and political power)
- How did explorers and colonists describe the Indigenous populations they encountered?
- What moral or ethical justifications are used for colonization in these documents?
- Peer Review (Optional): After completing the draft, students can exchange essays for peer review, providing constructive feedback on clarity, argumentation, and evidence used.
4. Reflection and Conclusion (15 minutes)
- Class Discussion:
- Reflect on the long-term consequences of European exploration and colonization on Native populations.
- Discuss how these early encounters shaped the development of the Americas.
- Wrap-up Writing Prompt:
- What do you think was the most significant impact of European colonization on the Indigenous peoples of the Americas? Write a brief reflection (1-2 paragraphs).
Assessment
- Participation: Active participation in group discussions and analysis of primary sources.
- Essay: A well-organized persuasive essay that clearly responds to the prompt, incorporates evidence from primary sources, and presents a coherent argument.
- Reflection: Thoughtful responses in the final writing prompts and class discussions.
This plan offers a blend of reading, group analysis, and writing activities that focus on understanding the motivations, actions, and consequences of European exploration and colonization, all supported by primary sources from the public domain.