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In the Classroom > Course Overview > Unit Overview
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Lesson 3: Using Primary Documents: "Agreeable to His Genius"

Lesson Central Question:

In This Lesson:

How does one use primary documents to reinvent a person or place?

Lesson Length
Key Ideas
I.L.O.s
Preparation
Materials
Activity
Assessment

Lesson Length

1 class period (85 minutes)

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Key Content Ideas Taught in this Lesson and Teacher Background

This lesson uses primary sources and documents to "reinvent" a person in his historical context. John Partridge Bull was a member of the middling sort who lived in Deerfield (1731-1813). His documents will be used to illustrate how one can piece together a life story.

Teacher Background Essay: Agreeable to His Genius

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Intended Learning Outcomes

Understandings
Students will understand:

  • World events brought important changes that impacted Deerfield.
  • Deerfield became prosperous because of the river trade and improved agricultural practices. This prosperity led to increased refinement.
  • Transportation and communication improved. The central government in Boston expanded the "world view" of Deerfield, heightening their interest in consumer goods.
  • Deerfield was a complex community with members taking on a variety of roles and jobs, i.e. servant, craftsman, housewife, clergy, and apprentice.
  • Deerfield families had strong kinship ties with families along the Connecticut River.

Skills
Students will be able to:

  • Use information gained from this and other periods to develop on a continuum showing the growth of the Deerfield community.

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In Preparation for Teaching

1. Read Teacher Background Essay: Agreeable to His Genius

 

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Materials

Primary and Secondary Sources:

  1. John Partridge Bull activity.
  2. Handout: "Agreeable to His Genius: John Partridge Bull" (1731-1813)

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Activities Materials in Context

 

  • Discuss with students the importance of using primary sources to reconstruct the past, illustrating the varied formats.
  • Instruct students to complete the John Partridge Bull activity on the American Centuries website.

Assignment:

Based on the reading and website investigation, indicate what characteristics are typical and atypical about John Partridge Bull on the handout provided.

 

John Partridge Bull activity

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