Benito Cereno Lesson Plan

Timeline

Kind of Activity:

Research

Objective:

To allow students to better understand the historical context in which Benito Cereno was written.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.1; CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.9

Structure:

Although the action in Benito Cereno takes place in 1799, it’s important for students to understand that Melville wrote the story shortly many years later, before the Civil War, when slavery was a hot topic for debate. In this activity, students will make a timeline so they can better understand the historical context in which Benito Cereno was written.

Students will need:

-A large piece of poster-board

-Colored pencils or markers to...