Finally, students will learn about the significance of César Chávez in American history and respond to a prompt that asks them to explain if and how "The Words of César Chávez" shaped America.
The companion book to the PBS series, also titled Free to Choose, was among the best-selling non-fiction books of 1980. ... Finally, students will respond to a prompt that asks them to explain if and how "Free to Choose" shaped America.
The book is considered a classic of the Harlem Renaissance. ... Finally, students will respond to a prompt that asks them to explain if and how "Their Eyes Were Watching God" shaped America.
Willa Cather's novel, "My Ántonia," evokes the Nebraska prairie life of her childhood and pays tribute to the spirit and courage of immigrant pioneers in America. Written in 1918, the book tells the story of a girl who arrives on the frontier as part of a family of Bohemian immigrants, and her friendship with an orphaned boy who taught her English. The book explores issues facing women of the time in that region, and the meaning of success in America. ... From there, they will view video clips to learn about Willa Cather's life and her book "My Ántonia." ... Finally, students will respond to a prompt that asks them to explain if and how "My Ántonia" shaped America.
The book has been criticized for its use of racial slurs and other coarse language but has also been praised in part for its use of the vernacular and colloquial style. Ernest Hemingway said, "It's the best book we've had. ... From there, they will view video clips to learn about the background of Mark Twain and his writing of the book. Next, they will watch videos that focus on the conclusion of the book and how it impacted the country. Finally, students will respond to a prompt that asks them to explain if and how the "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" shaped America.
While practicing law in Boston, Holmes summarized a series of lectures he had delivered and had them published in 1881 as a book titled The Common Law. ... Finally, students will respond to a prompt that asks them to explain if and how "The Common Law" shaped America.
The book was a best seller, and greatly influential in promoting the cause of abolition. ... Next, students will learn more about the subsequent publishing of Douglass' book, the immediate and lasting impact on the country, and details about his life. Finally, students will respond to a prompt that asks them to explain if and how "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass" shaped America.
In 1814, many Americans were able to learn for the first time about the western lands upon the publishing of the book titled "History of the Expedition Under the Command of Captains of Lewis and Clark." ... Finally, students will respond to a prompt that asks them to explain if and how "History of the Expedition Under the Command of Captains of Lewis and Clark" shaped America.
The essays were first published in several New York newspapers and were later combined into a book titled "The Federalist." ... Finally, students will respond to a prompt that asks them to explain if and how "The Federalist" shaped America.
In 1774, Englishman Thomas Paine arrived in America as the conflict between the colonies and Great Britain was reaching its peak. ... Finally, students will respond to a prompt that asks them to explain their position on if "Common Sense" shaped America.
This inquiry-based lesson has students consider which book has shaped America. The lesson opens with reflective questions that ask students which books are their favorite and what makes a book 'great.' Students are then introduced to C-SPAN and the Library of Congress' "Books That Shaped America" television series and engage in a brief review of the 10 books selected by the institutions for the series. From there, students view the longer list of books that shaped America from the Library of Congress website and select an additional five that they think should be added to the series. Finally, students write an argument for which one book they think has most shaped America and why.
