American Romanticism Scavenger Hunt
Image credit: http://northenglish11.weebly.com/american-romanticism.html
Subject Matter: English Language Arts (American Literature – Romantic
Period)
Grade Level: 11
Lesson Objective:
Common Core State
Standard and/or Academic Content Standard:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.7: Integrate and evaluate
multiple sources of information presented in different media or formats (e.g.,
visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a question or
solve a problem.
Technology
Standard: NETS for Students:
7. Routinely and efficiently use online information
resources to meet needs for collaboration, research, publication,
communication, and productivity (4, 5, 6).
Background:
The American Romantic literary period was a very important time in American history. This literary period allowed America to explore its cultural identity with a variety of works and topics. Use the following websites to answer the student research questions below and learn more about this influential period:
1. American Literary History: Romanticism, Realism, and
Naturalism: http://www.luc.edu/faculty/cschei1/teach/rrn.html
2. The Romantic
Period in American Literature (1830-1865): http://www4.ncsu.edu/~wdlloyd/romantic_period_in_american_lite.htm
3. American Romanticism (or the American Renaissance) Ann
Woodlief’s Introduction: http://archive.vcu.edu/english/engweb/eng372/intro.htm
Student Research
Questions:
Essential Question:
1. How did America express its cultural identity during the
American Romantic literary period?
Subsidiary Questions:
2. What were the major characteristics of the American
Romantic literary period?
3. What were some of the similarities between the American
and European Romantic literary periods?
4. What were some of
the differences between the American and European Romantic literary periods?
5. What were some of the historical events associated with
the American Romantic literary period?
6. What were some of
the political, economic, and religious influences during the American Romantic
literary period?
7. What were some of the sub-genres of the American Romantic
literary period?
8. Who were some of the most prolific authors during the
American Romantic literary period?
9. What were some of the major themes of the American
Romantic literary period?
10. What were some of the major works that best represented
the American Romantic literary period?
