American Romanticism Scavenger Hunt

American Romanticism Scavenger Hunt

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Subject Matter: English Language Arts (American Literature – Romantic Period)

Grade Level: 11

Lesson Objective: Learners will demonstrate the ability to sift through Internet resources to answer essential and subsidiary questions about the American Romantic literary period.

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?