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Lesson 1 (from Section 1: "Burn" and "In a Jar")

Objective

The objective of this Daily Lesson is to explore elements of setting relevant to understanding "Burn." The poverty endemic to many reservations, the centrality of community to individual identity, and the cultural beliefs surrounding hair are all important to fully understand the events of "Burn" and their meaning. This lesson acquaints students with relevant background information in preparation for reading the story.

Lesson

Research Activity: Give students time to research answers to the following questions:

1) What range of economic conditions exist today on Native American reservations in the United States?

2) What are some of the causes of poverty on those reservations where poverty is a serious problem?

3) How do economic conditions impact the lives of those living on the poorest reservations?

Reading Activity: Distribute copies of Zitkala-Sa's essay "The Cutting of My Long Hair" (available online) and give students time to read.

Class Discussion: Where is...

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