Longing to Belong: Poems, Essays, and Short Stories

Lesson 6
icon/ela/white

ELA

Unit 1

7th Grade

Lesson 6 of 25

Objective


Gather information from various multimedia sources to determine the central idea of belonging for Native People of the Northern Plains.

Readings and Materials


  • Website: Northern Plains History and Cultures: How do Native People and Nations Experience Belonging? by the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian 

Fishtank Plus

Unlock features to optimize your prep time, plan engaging lessons, and monitor student progress.

A Note for Teachers


  • The history of Indigenous Nations in the land now known as America is full of rich tradition and culture. Unfortunately, it is also full of tragedy. Indigenous Nations were forcibly removed from their native land by European colonizers, were exposed to diseases, and were killed in large numbers. Approach this lesson with sensitivity to embrace the asset-based culture of the Indigenous Nations included in this lesson, but also address the complexities of the oppression that Indigenous Nations faced, and still face as it comes up in the sources. 
  • The four Key Questions each address a different Native Nation. Facilitate this section of the lesson as a jigsaw or as stations. There are two options below:
    • Divide the class into four groups. Assign each group a different Native Nation to research. Then have each group share out to the rest of the class. Have students take notes on each Native Nation as each group shares out. Read more about how to structure a jigsaw in Facing History and Ourselves's Teaching Strategy Guide
    • Set up four separate stations with each of the four separate Native Nations. Have students rotate around to each group to research the four Native Nations. 

Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

According to these sources, how do Native People belong to their land, their communities, and their nation? 

Sample Response

Upgrade to Fishtank Plus to view Sample Response.

Key Questions


  • How do the Crow people feel a sense of belonging to their land, their communities and their Nation? 

  • How do the Northern Cheyenne people feel a sense of belonging to their land, their communities and their Nation?

  • How do the Oceti Sakowin people feel a sense of belonging to their land, their communities and their Nation?

  • How do the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara people feel a sense of belonging to their land, their communities and their Nation?

Vocabulary


Text-based

sustain

v.

to provide with the basic necessities of life (00:29)

sacred

adj.

shown great respect; having to do with religion  ("Homelands Crow Nation") 

Homework


To ensure that students are prepared for the next lesson, have students complete the following reading for homework. Use guidance from the next lesson to identify any additional language or background support students may need while independently engaging with the text.

  • Poem: “Where You From?” by Gina Valdés 

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What lines does the poet repeat throughout the poem?

  • What imagery does the poet include? (Think of all 5 senses.)

  • Why does the poet write in two different languages? 

  • What is the meaning of the poem? 

Notes for Teachers

There are 2 copies of the poem for tonight's homework attached. One copy is the original poem, and the other includes an English translation of the poem to support students' literal understanding of the poem in preparation for tomorrow's analysis.

Enhanced Lesson Plan

Fishtank Plus Content

Bring your most engaging lessons to life with comprehensive instructional guidance, detailed pacing, supports to meet every student's needs, and resources to strengthen your lesson planning and delivery.

Common Core Standards


  • RI.7.2 — Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
  • RI.7.9 — Analyze how two or more authors writing about the same topic shape their presentations of key information by emphasizing different evidence or advancing different interpretations of facts.

Supporting Standards

L.7.6
RI.7.1
RI.7.3
RI.7.4
RI.7.10
SL.7.1
SL.7.6
W.7.1
W.7.1.a
W.7.1.b
W.7.4
W.7.9
W.7.9.b
W.7.10

Next

Explain how the structural choices in the poem, "Where You From?" develop meaning.

Lesson 7
icon/arrow/right/large

Lesson Map

A7CB09C2-D12F-4F55-80DB-37298FF0A765

Request a Demo

See all of the features of Fishtank in action and begin the conversation about adoption.

Learn more about Fishtank Learning School Adoption.

Contact Information

School Information

What courses are you interested in?

ELA

Math

Are you interested in onboarding professional learning for your teachers and instructional leaders?

Yes

No

Any other information you would like to provide about your school?

We Handle Materials So You Can Focus on Students

We Handle Materials So You Can Focus on Students

We've got you covered with rigorous, relevant, and adaptable ELA lesson plans for free