Primary Source Analysis: Phillis Wheatley's Poem to King George |
| This activity requires students to analyze Wheatley's poem and answer questions about it. |
Use this Activity: |
| Discuss and Engage- Explain to students that a primary source is an actual document or artifact related to a historical event. While this activity isn't an actual document, it does contain the text from an actual poem that Phillis Wheatley wrote to King George. Read the poem aloud to students and ask them about the tone of the poem. How does Wheatley address the King? Is the poem designed to praise or criticize him? What does she mean in the last line when she writes "A monarch's smile can set his subjects free." |
| Reading Groups - This activity serves as an excellent tool for enrichment-based reading groups in language arts or social studies. |
| Morning Work - This activity takes students about 20-25 minutes. |
| Homework - This activity is a great way to assign homework in social studies or language arts. |
| Part of a Lesson - Teaching about Phillis Wheatley? This activity serves as a great extension. |