Native American Literature
Native American Literature
New Town High School 2009-2010
Teacher: Ms. Anderson
Contact: www.msanderson.net
elizabeth.anderson@sendit.nodak.edu
Grading scale: standard, see student handbook
Classroom expectations: see student handbook and classroom contract
Scope: The literature of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas
Instructor Goals:
Students will understand and cultural and historical contexts of Native American
literature
Students will be able to identify and discuss the importance of major authors and works
within the history of Native American literature
Students will be able to analyze Native American literature through both formal and
cultural/historical critical lenses
Please note that the following schedule is subject to change throughout the year. Units
may be shortened or lengthened and projects/assignments may be added, removed or
altered based on the needs and interests of each group of students.
Daily: Journal Writing
Students will keep a journal of written responses to questions/quotes posted on the
board at the beginning of each class period.
Quarter 1:
Week 1: Introductions, classroom contract, introduction to literary studies and critical
lenses, listen to “Cherry Necklace” story audio recording, discuss
Week 2: Historical and cultural contexts to Native American literature. Presentation,
notes, response journals. Read selections from Black Elk Speaks.
Week 3: Translation, mediation and exploitation of Native literatures by white culture:
Presentation, notes, response journals.
Oral traditions
Indian writing and representation
Reading “Lone Man and First Creator” from the book Earth Lodge Tale of the Upper
Missouri. (Semester 1 only)
Week 4: Non-fiction prose in Native American literature. Students will read and respond
to examples of the following genres, including understanding audience and purpose:
Evangelist
Council
Periodical
Political
Humorous
Historical
Contemplative
Week 5: The cultural resurgence of the 1970s
Read selections from Custer Died for your Sins by Vine Deloria, complete study
guide
Week 6: Continue reading Custer Died for your Sins, complete study guide
Week 7: Contemporary Native American Fiction
Video: Smoke Signals
Read selections from The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman
Alexie
Week 8:Continue reading The Lone Ranger and Tonto
Week 9: Read selections from The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by
Sherman Alexie
Students will read and respond to articles written by Sherman Alexie regarding the
relationship between Native cultures and written literature.
Quarter 2
Week 1: Read Flight by Sherman Alexie, complete study guide, write in response
journals
Week 2: Read Flight by Sherman Alexie, complete study guide, write in response
journals
Week 3: Read Flight by Sherman Alexie, complete study guide, write in response
journals, compose a literary analysis essay about the book
Week 4: Video: The Business of Fancy Dancing Complete study guide and essay
questions, discuss the possible conflicts between writing and traditional indigenous
culture
Week 5: Native American “Life Writing” - presentation on the genre, notes, response
writing in journals, reading excerpts from Charles Eastman’s “Indian Boyhood”
Week 6: Students will compose their own autobiographies while keeping in mind an
audience distant to them in cultural and historical context. Autobiographies may be
written in narrative prose or produced as movies.
Video: When Our Hands are Tied (short documentary about modern Native teens
around the country)
Week 7: Students will compose their own autobiographies while keeping in mind an
audience distant to them in cultural and historical context. Autobiographies may be
written in narrative prose or produced as movies.
Video: Water buster (Documentary about the impact of the Garrison Dam on the
Three Affiliated Tribed)
Week 8: Students will compose their own autobiographies while keeping in mind an
audience distant to them in cultural and historical context. Autobiographies may be
written in narrative prose or produced as movies.
Week 9: Poetry