Twelve Years a Slave Lesson Plan

Patsey's Years

Kind of Activity:

Collaborative Writing

Objective:

Students will examine point of view in shaping a narrative

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.3.A, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.3.B

Structure:

Memoir is by definition from a singular point of view. We have heard about the experiences of one enslaved man, Solomon Northup, and his impressions of those who surround him. How might the experience of another person—for instance, someone female—create a different story?

Divide students into groups of 4-6. Have students perform a close reading of the text and write (using evidence from the text) a chapter from Patsey's...