Teachers' Notes on Native Americans.

This snapshot asks pupils to investigate the early contact between Europeans and Native Americans. Using primary source diary extracts, pupils are able to understand and appreciate the first encounters between European settlers and the indigenous people of North America. Pupils are asked to explore both positive and negative aspects of these encounters, which can then be developed further in a number of ways. Some may prefer to extend this to a comparison between later feelings and actions taken against the Native Americans, examining when the European 'stereotype' of the Native Americans emerged.

The snapshot could form a background to the teaching of the History Scheme of Work Unit 15: Black Peoples of America: from slavery to freedom? The snapshot also covers breadth of study National Curriculum requirements through investigation of a world study before 1900, specifically indigenous peoples of North America (12). The final written task offers a clear literacy opportunity, and further links with citizenship and PSHE issues could be made with teacher development.

Background to
Unit 15: Black Peoples of America: from slavery to freedom?