Collection 1: Exploration and Settlement – Coming to America Explore how America has always been a land shaped by immigrants.

from Of Plymouth Plantation Historical Account by William Bradford Bradford never published his narrative, however, he did intend for it to be read by future generations.

ACADEMIC VOCABULARY Study the words and their definitions. Write a sentence for each one – due Wednesday. adapt coherent device displace dynamic

KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVEs The student will be able to… identify and analyze the central ideas of a foundation text. Analyze the selections in the collection in terms of a historical context.

WHY THIS TEXT? Students usually learn early U.S. history from textbooks written hundreds of years after the events occurred. Instead, this lesson explores a first-hand account by William Bradford, who helped establish and lead Plymouth, England’s second successful settlement in North America.

Analyze Foundational Texts (Lines 1 – 5) This passage was written more than 300 years ago. Readers may find Bradford’s writing to be archaic, or outdated. One feature of archaic writing is long, complicated sentences. Re-read the first sentence and paraphrase, or state in your own words, what Bradford is trying to communicate.

Determine Central Ideas (Lines 6 – 18) Authors do not usually state central ideas or themes, directly. Instead, readers must infer the central idea from the details that are included. By identifying and analyzing themes, readers can better understand the author’s intentions, or purpose. Read lines 6 – 18 and use text evidence to identify Bradford’s central idea, or theme.

Determine Central Ideas (Lines 47 – 56) Although William Bradford witnessed first-hand the events of the Mayflower’s 1620 voyage, he did not write about them until years later. When he did write his account, he chose to relate anecdotes and details that support his central ideas. Read lines 47 – 56. Use text evidence to determine the central idea of these lines.

Analyze Foundational Texts (Lines 60 – 62) An author’s purpose is his reason for writing a particular text. An author might write to inform, to persuade, to express beliefs and feelings, or to entertain. Analyze these lines for clues to the author’s purpose. What do these lines reveal about Bradford and his feelings toward his audience?

Analyze Foundational Texts (Lines 78 – 109) Rhetorical Features are techniques writers use to communicate ideas and support their purpose. One rhetorical feature Bradford uses is an allusion. An allusion is a reference to a person, place, or event that the author expects will be familiar to readers. Identify the three allusions Bradford uses in these two paragraphs (lines 78-109). How do these three allusions support Bradford’s central idea that the Pilgrims endured a difficult journey into an unknown wilderness?

Analyze and Evaluate Structure (Lines 110 – 116) One feature of Bradford’s archaic language is the inclusion of several ideas in one sentence. Each of these ideas is contained in a clause. Clauses are often marked with commas, semicolons, and parentheses. Suggest how this lengthy sentence might be rewritten in a more modern way.

Integrate Multiple Sources of Information Historical accounts often include sources of information presented in different media and formats, such as illustrations, charts, and maps. These sources often elaborate on the text. Examine the map on page 10. What places, events, and journeys described in the text are also shown on the map?

Analyze Foundational Texts (Lines 164 – 168) An allusion is a reference to a person, place, or event that the author expects will be familiar to readers. These lines contain a reference to a Bible story about the Hebrew’s passage to the “promised land.” As Moses led his people through the wilderness, he sent twelve people to scout ahead. These scouts returned with fruits from Eshcol. How does the story here allude to the Pilgrims’ experience?

Determine Central Idea (Lines 178 – 185) Bradford wanted to communicate to readers certain ideas or themes that he considered important. Identify the theme that the author wants to convey.

Analyzing Purpose (Lines 187 – 207) The authors often have more than one purpose, or intention, when they write a text. Read lines 187 – 207. Find words or phrases that describe places, events, or people. What kind of feeling do these descriptions convey? Using these clues, what might you infer about Bradford’s purpose?

Analyze Foundational Text (Line 110 – 224) A foundational text is a document considered important in U.S. history. Readers can better understand the central idea of Bradford’s account by analyzing repetition – the repetition of a word, phrase, or idea. Skim Chapter X thus far (lines 110-224) and find evidence of repetition in the events Bradford describes. What kind of events does Bradford’s writing focus on?

Analyzing Foundational Texts (Lines 234-259) Bradford’s work provides a rare first-hand account of experiences from the early seventeenth century. It includes only those events that Bradford found important. Summarize lines 234 – 259. How has the action, or pace, changed in this paragraph? What can readers infer about Bradford’s purpose from this paragraph?

Determine Central Ideas (Lines 260-268) Pilgrims believed they were chosen by God to fulfill a holy mission. Read the final paragraph of Chapter X (lines 260 – 268). Cite text evidence that suggests that Bradford saw the Pilgrims as having been chosen by God.

Analyze Foundational Texts (Lines 308 – 316) Cite evidence for when the Mayflower Compact was signed. Skim Chapter X looking specifically for relevant dates. How does this brief summary of events (lines 308 – 316) compare to those listed in Chapter X?

Analyze Foundational Texts (Lines 330 – 339) Of Plymouth Plantation is a primary source that can be used to learn about the Pilgrims at this time in history. In lines 330-339, Bradford holds up several colonists as examples of virtue. Based on these lines, what characteristics did colonists value? Cite text evidence to support your inferences about the characteristics colonists valued. How might celebrating the characteristics in this account influence Bradford’s readers?

Determine Central Ideas (Lines 372-385) Text can be paraphrased by restating it in your own words to help determine the text’s central idea. Paraphrase the treaty between Massasoit and the Pilgrims (lines 372 – 385) and determine its central idea.

Individual Practice Analyzing the Text: Questions1-7 on page 20 (e- book). Performance Task: Choose one of the writing activities on page 20 (e-book).