Digital Paxton: Digital Collection, Critical Edition, and Teaching Platform

Native American-European Contact in the Colonial Period

Native American-European Contact is a cross-curricular lesson plan that explores the nature of the first encounters between Native Americans and Europeans in colonial Pennsylvania. Drawing on the concept of worldview, students learn to think critically about the cultural differences between Europeans and Native Americans, and how those differences shaped interaction and potential misunderstandings between the groups as they negotiated trade and diplomatic relationships.

Essential Questions

Concepts

Competencies

Background Material for Teacher

End of Unit Assessment

Have students create a presentation or write an essay comparing and contrasting how artwork and literature depict the relationships between the Native Americans and Colonists. Students should use the engravings and pictures from the unit as well as the letters and journals.

Download a printable version of this lesson plan.


© Historical Society of Pennsylvania

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