The Birchbark House Lesson Plans

The Birchbark House Lesson Plans: A Comprehensive Guide for Educators ##

### Introduction ### The Birchbark House is a classic children's novel by Louise Erdrich that tells the story of a young Ojibwe girl named Omakayas and her family. The novel is set in the 1800s and follows Omakayas as she experiences the hardships and joys of life on the Minnesota frontier. The Birchbark House is a valuable resource for teaching children about Native American history and culture. It is also a beautiful and heartwarming story that will captivate readers of all ages. ### Learning Objectives ### After completing this unit, students will be able to: * Understand the historical and cultural context of the novel. * Analyze the characters and their relationships. * Identify the major themes of the novel. * Write and speak effectively about the novel. * Create a variety of projects that demonstrate their understanding of the novel. ### Materials ### * Copies of The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich * A variety of resources about Native American history and culture * Art supplies * Construction paper * Scissors * Glue * Markers * Crayons ### Lesson Plans ###

Week 1

Day 1:

Introduction to the novel. Read aloud the first chapter of The Birchbark House to introduce students to the main characters and setting. Discuss the historical and cultural context of the novel. *

Day 2:

Character analysis. Have students create character maps to analyze the main characters of the novel. Discuss the characters' motivations, conflicts, and relationships. *

Day 3:

Theme identification. Have students identify the major themes of the novel. Discuss how these themes are developed throughout the story. *

Day 4:

Writing and speaking. Have students write a summary of the novel. Have students present their summaries to the class. *

Day 5:

Project. Have students create a project that demonstrates their understanding of the novel. Students can create a diorama, a poster, or a model of a birchbark house.

Week 2

Day 1:

Native American history and culture. Invite a guest speaker to talk to the class about Native American history and culture. Have students research different aspects of Native American culture. *

Day 2:

Art project. Have students create art projects that reflect their understanding of Native American culture. Students can make dreamcatchers, beadwork, or pottery. *

Day 3:

Field trip. Take a field trip to a local museum or cultural center to learn more about Native American history and culture. *

Day 4:

Writing and speaking. Have students write a report on their field trip. Have students present their reports to the class. *

Day 5:

Assessment. Assess students' understanding of the novel and related topics through a variety of assessments, such as quizzes, essays, and projects. ### Conclusion ### The Birchbark House Lesson Plans provide a comprehensive and engaging way to teach students about Native American history and culture. These lesson plans are aligned with Common Core State Standards and are designed to help students develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its themes.