Lesson Plan - Reframing History

About the Article

Learning Objective

Students will read and analyze a primary source interview to learn about the power of photojournalism and the diversity and strength of Tribal Nations in the United States today. 

Curriculum Connections

• Native American Heritage 

• European Colonization of North America 

• Photojournalism 

• Advocacy 

• Stereotypes

Key Skills

Social Studies:

• Analyze a primary source interview 

• Examine how experiences shape individual development 

• Identify causes and consequences of events 

English Language Arts:

• Identify central ideas  

• Draw inferences 

• Synthesize key details

Key CCSS Standards

RH.6-8.1, RH.6-8.2, RH.6-8.3, RH.6-8.4, RH.6-8.5, RH.6-8.6, RH.6-8.7, WHST.6-8.4, WHST.6-8.9, RI.6-8.1, RI.6-8.2, RI.6-8.3, RI.6-8.4, RI.6-8.5, RI.6-8.6, RI.6-8.7, W.6-8.4, W.6-8.9 

1. Preparing to Read

Build Background Knowledge 

Before reading the article, direct students to the Skill Builder Charting Your Knowledge. With a focus on the history of Native Americans in North America, invite students to record what they know (K column), what they wonder (W column), and after reading the article, three to five facts they learned (L column). Encourage students to share their responses with the class. Then use the Skill Builder Words to Know to preteach domain-specific terms.

2. Reading and Discussing

Read the Article

Read the article aloud or have students read it independently or in pairs. As students read, direct them to circle or highlight any words whose meanings they are unsure of. 

Answer Close-Reading Questions

Have students write their responses, or use the Close-Reading Questions to guide a discussion.

• What was Matika Wilbur’s main goal in creating Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America? (Central Idea)
Wilbur’s main goal in creating Project 562 was to highlight the diversity and strength of Native Americans today and to dispel harmful stereotypes about them. 

• How is Wilbur’s role as a photojournalist both challenging and rewarding? (Central Idea) 
Wilbur’s role as a photojournalist is challenging because people often share with her the difficult experiences they have lived through, like violence and being forced to change their beliefs. However, Wilbur’s role as a photojournalist is also rewarding because it allows her to share truths with the world, challenge false stereotypes, and change people’s perspectives.

• How is the caption about Helen Thompson Williams on p. 17 supported by the sidebar “Overcoming Oppression”? (Making Connections) 
Helen Thompson Williams shares the sadness she felt watching her native language die out. The sidebar explains that for centuries, Indigenous people were forced to assimilate into the culture of the Europeans. They had to stop speaking their languages and practicing their customs.

3. Skill Building

Your Turn: Analyze A Primary Source 

Direct students to the “Your Turn” activity at the end of the article. Students will analyze one of Matika Wilbur’s photos, determine its mood, and consider how the photo can help people think about Native Americans in a new way. 

Assess Comprehension

Use the Quiz Wizard to assess comprehension of this article and three others from the issue.

Printable Lesson Plan

Text-to-Speech