Unit 2: Early American Literature

The early American period includes the voices of indigenous peoples, Puritans who established settlements in the 17th century, and enslaved people who were forcibly brought to America, as well as the Revolutionist writing that was central to the establishment of a new country. In this introduction, students will learn about the major concepts and forms of the period and gain essential background for the texts that follow.

Students will read:
A variety of early America texts, possibly including: The Declaration of Independence, poetry by Anne Bradstreet, Constitution of the Iroquois Nations, On Being Brought from Africa to America, Of Plymouth Plantation, writings of Benjamin Franklin, and writings of Thomas Paine


Students will write:

Students will discuss:

Annotation guide practice for each story with a focus on literary element (ie theme) and study sync assessments at the end of each unit