LESSON PLAN

Title: American Indian removal

Grade: 10th
Level: B2 Upper-intermediate
Teacher: Andreea Mal
Date:March, 10th, 2023
SKILLS: speaking, listening, writing, reading
CLASSROOM INTERACTION: individual work, pair work, small groups
Aims: In this lesson, the students expand and refine their understandings about American
Indian removal after viewing the video, reading about a fact-based experience and analyzing a
Native leader’s and a U.S. president’s perspectives about removal.
Objectives:
Students will be able to:

 Brainstorm prior knowledge and write down their current understandings about the
meaning and significance of the word “removal.”
 In pairs, through reading, identify and understand the key roles and reasons during
the process.
 In small groups, the students negotiate and present argument to support and dispute
the removal of Seminole.
 Individually, write a journal entry to detail a fictitious experience during the Trail of
tears removal.

Resources / Materials:
-student notebook

-worksheet
-pens/pencils
-paper
-classroom whiteboard, computer and video projector
-students’ phones to access the links provided by the teacher

Activities / Procedures:
 WARM-UP-5min: To kick off the lesson, the teacher introduces the topic by asking the
class some prompt questions: : If you were told you had to leave your home and live
somewhere else far away, how would you react? Present your reflections to the class.

The teacher encourages students to share their responses.

LEAD-IN-7min: Before watching the video Removal, students write down what they think
the word “removal” means and why, and then explain why they think removal matters (is
important).
I think removal means…… I think removal matters
because because…………

Students watch the video and reflect both perspectives and discuss.
https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/removal/#makesensePage

ACTIVITY 1-10 min:

Technique: Reading for specific information and discussion
The teacher divides the class into pairs and asks each pair to use the worksheet provided so as
to read closely about the American Indian removal and fill in the tasks below with relevant
notes:
1 Indian Removal Act

What...

Why…

How..

Where..

2 Andrew Jackson

Who...

Why…

How..

3 Trail of Tears

What...

Why…
How..

Where..

The teacher invites a couple of pairs to present their discoveries.

ACTIVITY 2-15 min

Technique: Role play- How can WE overcome our communities dispute?
In groups of 6, 2 students representing Osceola’s tribe and 1 Osceola /the other 3 Andrew
Jackson and 2 settlers dispute the removal of the Natives and present arguments to support
their leaders’ views https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/removal/#makesensePage :

Arguments to stay Arguments to remove

ACTIVITY 3-10 min:

Technique: journal entry writing

Individually, the students assume the role of one of the following fictitious characters and
write a journal entry describing the details of your individual experience during the Trail of
tears removal. Include observations or impression on: the reasons you had to move, the
conditions of your journey/upon arrival, possible destination.Once they’ve completed the task,
the teacher conducts feedback and invites the students to share their answers to the whole
class.

Closure: Take away technique 3min

The teacher invites the students to think of an idea/word/attitude they’ve enjoyed in
today’s lesson, take it away and write a letter to their friend about it, as homework.