English 11A Unit 1 Day 16 - RL9 Menu   

Analyzing  Standard 

Themes in Early  Demonstrate knowledge of 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.9  ●

American  eight​eenth-, nineteenth- and 

early-twentieth-century 

Literature 
foundational works of American 
literature, including how two or 
more texts from the same period 
treat similar themes or topics. 

Objectives 
● Students will compare the themes of two 
different works from the same time period  
● Students will explain how two or more works 
are part of the same time period 
● Student will categorize some topics 
commonly explored in early works of 
American Literature or each time period.  

Directions 
Please complete the following menu to work 
through today’s learning objectives.  
Choose ​ONE​​ activity in​ each category​:​  
 
Appetizers, Side Dishes, and Entrees. 
● You ​may​ choose a Dessert activity as 
○ Appetizer activity is due:  extra credit, ​IF and ONLY IF,​​ you have 
_______________________________  completed the Appetizer, Side Dish, and 
○ Side Dish activity is due:  Entree assignment. 
_______________________________ 
○ Entree activity is due:   
_______________________________   
○ Dessert (extra credit) is due: 
 
_______________________________ 
 
 
Menu  
relating to rights. (freedom rights, equal 
rights, etc.) Post to your subpage.  
3. Create a news broadcast (video) that 
must include:  
● One important news story 
Appetizers  explaining a major event 
Level 1 (From Texts)  discussed in one text, (like The 
passing of the 13th amendment) 
1. Using ​google docs​, create and label a 
● One “current” event​​ of the 
timeline of important details for all 
century chosen (i.e. “Slave 
the Early American texts we have 
Auction today at Noon!,” “War 
read in class so far. In this timeline 
About to Begin!,” etc.).   
you can include major American 
● One editorial (opinion) story 
historical events as well as any other 
about a specific topic related to 
events in the author’s life that could 
human rights.  
serve as possible premise for any of 
● Post to your subpage on our 
the texts. Be sure to use the internet, 
website.  
to research and find images. Post 
your timeline to your subpage on the  Entrees 
Weebly​ class website   Level 3 (From You) 
2. Using ​Poll Daddy​, create a 3 Facts 
1. Write 2 letters (250 words/1 page). One 
and a Fib review quiz for three of our 
from one author explaining their purpose 
early American Literature authors. 
in writing their text and how they 
You can choose from: Olaudah 
accomplished persuading their audience 
Equiano, Phyllis Wheatley, Patrick 
and one from a different author writing 
Henry, Sojourner Truth, Charlotte 
about the same topic. BOTH letters must 
Gilman, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., or 
explain the following: why they wrote 
Alice Walker. Post the link to your 
their text, what rhetorical devices and 
poll on our ​google classroom stream 
themes they used, and how the use of 
and have four classmates take it.  
those devices and themes added to the 
Side Dishes   persuasiveness of the text. Share them 
Level 2 (From Texts and You)  with an elbow partner and post to our 
website for Unit 1.  
1. Create a Compare and Contrast web for 
2. Create two political cartoons showing 
two texts from the same century. Make 
the perspective of one author from the 
sure to include topics, themes, rhetorical 
18th century and one author from the 
devices used, and author's purpose. Pair 
19th century explaining the development 
share with your elbow partner.   
of the themes they used in their text. 
2. Create a presentation​ (Sutori, Prezi, 
Must be your own work and include a 
Weebly, Google Slides)​ that compares 
meaningful​ caption. Think of: ethos, logos, 
and contrasts the characteristics of two 
and pathos to help persuade your 
different texts from the same century 
audience. Post to your subpage.  
 3. Using ​StoryJumper​,(an online tool to 
create books) create and write a 
children’s book explaining the 
causes/effects of one text on societal life. 
How did the text change people’s 
opinions about a specific topic. ​Think of 
a 3rd grade student--simple language!! 
Must include: colorful 
pictures/illustrations and age 
appropriate language. Share the link on 
your subpage.  
Desserts 
Level 4 (Enrichment/Extra Credit) 
 
1. Research various examples of American 
artwork or political cartoons during the 
Revolutionary war era. Choose ​two 
pieces of artwork or cartoons​​ that you 
think were the most effective in 
communicating the realities of the 
American revolution and/or how it 
affected life for people and their 
rights.Post the two images in our class 
Padlet​ and initiate discussion with your 
elbow partners. (Make sure to type your 
name in the post so I can give you credit 
for the extra work) 
2. Imagine that you are living during early 
America. Choose a reform movement 
that you would support or not support 
and create a digital newsletter to 
promote the reform complete with 
resources and guides for your audience 
to follow. (You can discuss equality rights 
or civil rights.) Post your newsletter to 
our class ​Weebly​ website under Unit 1 so 
that other students can study for the 
assessment with help from your 
newsletter.