Good Guys or Bad Guys? of the Wild West

Who are the “good guys” and who are the “bad guys?” Delve into the conflicts between the Native Americans and white settlers over land ownership in the 1800s. Students must determine who are the “good guys” and who are the “bad guys” during major encounters such as the Trail of Tears, Battle of Little Bighorn and the Battle of Wounded Knee. The lesson begins as students defend or refute the statement: the strongest will survive. After a mini class debate, students work in groups of three to critique and debate the escalating tensions between white settlers and Native Americans by reading short secondary sources and answering reflection questions. When the reading has been completed, the class will discuss and debate the statement, the strongest will survive, to see if their philosophy has changed based upon the treatment of Native Americans. This debate will spiral to the U.S. philosophy today on treatment of others. Finally, the students will compose an argumentative writing piece that details their viewpoint on whether the U.S was justified in their treatment of Native Americans.

When you purchase this activity, you will receive:

-teacher directions

-power point to guide instruction

-eleven page student reading

-student handout of reflection questions

-student handout-Argumentative Writing Piece

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