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#1 Power, Wealth & Morality
✅ Instructional Goal
Copy this in your notebook.
✅ Instructional Goal
Copy this in your notebook.
I will discuss the concepts of power, wealth, and morality.
Do Not Copy:|
(by learning how they shaped people’s actions and decisions in early America.
(by reading, discussing, and reflecting on historical and modern examples of these ideas.)
🧠 Vocabulary Words (Copy in Notebook)
🧠 Vocabulary Words (Copy in Notebook)
Power – The ability to control people, land, or decisions.
Wealth – Having a lot of valuable things like money, land, or goods.
Morality – Knowing what is right or wrong and choosing to do what is right.
❓Essential Questions (Do not copy.)
❓Essential Questions (Do not copy.)
Can power and wealth be used in a good way without losing morality?
Reading and Comprehension
Read the passage quietly and take notes on the most important ideas and details.
Power, Wealth, and Morality in Early America
Power, Wealth, and Morality in Early America
In the early days of America, different groups wanted different things. Some people came to gain power—they wanted to control land, people, and trade.
Others came for wealth—gold, silver, and valuable natural resources. But not everyone thought about what was right or wrong. That’s called morality.
European explorers and settlers often believed they were better than Native Americans. They used their power to take land and force people to follow their rules. They wanted to get rich by farming, trading, and sending goods back to Europe.
This made some people very wealthy, but it also hurt Native communities and changed their way of life forever.
Morality means doing what is right, even when it’s hard. Some people spoke out against unfair treatment of Native Americans and tried to treat them with respect.
But many others ignored what was right, because they wanted more power and money.
This part of history reminds us to always ask:
Is what I’m doing fair?
Who might be hurt by my choices?
Power and wealth can be good—but only when they are used with morality.
Comprehension Questions
Comprehension Questions
Directions: Answer each question in a complete sentence. Be sure to restate the question in your answer.
What were two main reasons Europeans came to the Americas?
(Be sure to restate the question in your answer.)
How did some European settlers use their power over Native Americans?
(Restate the question when answering.)
What does the word “morality” mean in this reading?
(Remember to restate the question.)
Why is it important to think about morality when using power or wealth?
(Restate the question in your answer.)
What lesson does the author want us to learn from this part of history?
(Be sure to include the question in your answer.)
Art Analysis Worksheet
What does each picture stand for or symbolize?
Prioritization: If you could only choose one of these qualities to have,
which would it be and why?
How would your choice impact your ability to help others?
Level 2: Depth of Knowledge Questions:
Group Activities - Directions:
Level 2: Depth of Knowledge Questions:
Group Activities - Directions:
Work by yourself or with a partner.
Read the instructions carefully.
Then, respond to each part of the activity using complete sentences.
Activity #1: What is Power?
Activity #1: What is Power?
Instructions:
In your own words, write a definition of the word “power.”
(Don't just copy from the dictionary—use your own understanding.)Next, list 3 to 6 examples of power that you see in the world around you.
These can be from:History or social studies
Your school or community
People in your life
Stories, movies, or books
Activity #2: What is Wealth?
Activity #2: What is Wealth?
Instructions:
In your own words, write a definition of the word “wealth.”
(Try to think beyond just money—what else can make someone wealthy?)Then, list 3 to 6 examples of wealth you see in the world.
Your examples can include:Rich people or companies
Resources like gold, oil, or land
Personal wealth (family, health, education)
Activity #3: What is Morality?
Activity #3: What is Morality?
Instructions:
In your own words, write a definition of the word “morality.”
(Think about what makes something right or wrong.)Then, give 3 to 6 examples of morality in real life or stories.
You can think about:People doing the right thing
Hard choices between right and wrong
Fairness and honesty
Socratic Discussion Question: Which is most important?
Discussion Question: Which quality is the most important for your friend to have? Rank them.
Discussion Question: Which quality is the most important for your friend to have? Rank them.
A. Power: Having the authority to make decisions and influence others.
B. Wealth: Having access to money and resources.
C. Morality: Having a strong sense of right and wrong.
Discussion Question: Which quality is the most important for a president to have? Rank them.
Discussion Question: Which quality is the most important for a president to have? Rank them.
A. Power: Having the authority to make decisions and influence other nations.
B. Wealth: Making the people have access to money and resources.
C. Morality: Having a strong sense of right and wrong.
💬 Discussion Goal:
Which one matters most: power, wealth, or morality?
Can power and wealth still be good if leaders don’t use morality?
Superheros and their Powers
Iron Man (Tony Stark)
Iron Man (Tony Stark)
Wealth: A billionaire inventor who uses his company’s money to create high-tech suits and weapons.
Power: His Iron Man armor gives him strength, flight, and advanced weapons.
Morality: At first, he used his wealth for weapons that hurt people, but after realizing the harm, he chose to use his power for protecting others.
Black Panther (T’Challa)
Black Panther (T’Challa)
Wealth: King of Wakanda, the most advanced and resource-rich nation in the world.
Power: Enhanced by the Heart-Shaped Herb, plus access to vibranium technology.
Morality: Guided by his responsibility to protect his people while also deciding when to share Wakanda’s resources with the world.
(Challenging with a Scenario): Now, let's imagine a person who has strong morality—they always do the right thing—but they have no power or money. Can a person like that make a big, positive change in the world? Why or why not?
Create your Superhero and the Power, Wealth and Morality
Heroic Power and Wealth: For Good or Bad?
Heroic Power and Wealth: For Good or Bad?
Power: A hero gains power through birth, magic, or rigorous training. Whether they use it for good or bad depends on their character.
A hero uses power for good to protect the innocent and fight injustice. A hero uses power for bad to dominate others and serve their own desires.
Wealth: A hero acquires wealth through inheritance, rewards, or their own cleverness. How they use it reveals their true nature. A hero uses wealth for good to fund their mission and help others.
A hero uses wealth for bad to manipulate people, hoard resources, and serve their own greed.
Directions: First do a rough draft in your notebook, then transfer to a poster.:
Superhero Poster Activity
Superhero Poster Activity
Poster: Create a poster of your superhero. Your poster must include the words Power, Wealth, and Morality.
Explain: How the hero gained each and how they use it
Power - For good or bad?
Wealth - For good or bad?Design: Draw your superhero in costume and add symbols or objects that show their power, wealth, or morality.
✍️ Journal Entry #1 - Power, Wealth or Morality: Pick one!
✍️ Important Reminder
All journals in this class will be written in first person.
That means you will write using words like “I,” “me,” and “my.”
For example:
✅ “I saw the ships coming toward the shore and felt nervous.”
❌ “The Native Americans saw the ships and felt nervous.”
Writing in first person lets you imagine that you are the person in the story — seeing, feeling, and thinking in that moment.
✍️ My Private Journal: Power, Wealth, and Morality
A Note to Myself: For these entries, I will write about my own experiences and feelings. I'll use words like “I,” “me,” and “my” to tell my story from my point of view.
Directions: I will choose one of the prompts below to write about in my journal today.
1. A Memory About Power
Today, I will write about a time I saw someone use their power at school. I need to remember the details of what happened.
First, I'll describe the scene: Where was I? Who was there? What was going on?
Next, I’ll focus on the person with power. What did they do or say? I’ll think about whether their actions seemed fair or unfair to me.
Then, I'll write about how it all made me feel. Did I feel angry, happy, confused, or something else?
Finally, I’ll reflect on what this memory taught me about what power is and how it can affect people.
2. My Thoughts on Wealth
Today, I'm going to explore what I really think about wealth. Do I believe having money or expensive things makes someone more important?
I'll start by writing down my honest opinion: "In my opinion, wealth does/does not make someone important because..."
To explain my view, I'll describe a specific time I saw money or possessions change how people acted. What did I see happen?
I will think about my own experiences. Has wealth, or a lack of it, ever affected me or my friends?
I'll finish by writing down what I believe truly makes a person valuable or important in my eyes.
3. A Story About Doing the Right Thing
Today, I want to write down a story about a time I saw someone make a moral choice—they did the right thing even when it was difficult.
I will start by setting the scene from my perspective. I'll write, "I remember when..." and describe the situation.
I'll explain the tough choice. What made it so hard? What was the right thing to do?
I’ll describe what I saw happen as a result of their choice. How did it affect the people around them?
Finally, I'll write about what that moment taught me. Seeing that happen showed me that...
Art Analyzation
What does the path of sunlight represent?
What about the path of shadows?
Why do you think they are represented like this?
The figure is holding a scale with a heart on one side and gold coins on the other.
What do you think this symbolizes?
Point of view of a student, which one is best:
1. Power
“What gives a student the most real power at school?”
a ✅ Being popular and having lots of friends
b ✅ Being a leader in class or on a team
c ✅ Controlling others through fear or pressure
d ✅ Using your voice to stand up for what’s right
2. Morality
“What matters most when you face a tough choice?”
a ✅ Doing what’s easiest, even if it’s not right
b ✅ Doing what helps you, even if it hurts others
c ✅ Doing what’s right, even if it’s hard
d ✅ Doing what your friends expect, to fit in
Talking Points - Agreeing and disagreeing Respectfully!
Agreeing and Adding On
• I agree because…
• That happened to me too…
• Good point! I also think…
• Yes, and another idea is…
• That makes sense, and I want to add…
Disagreeing Respectfully
• I see your point, but…
• I don’t agree because…
• I get what you’re saying, but I think…
• That’s one way, but another way is…
• I respect your idea, but I feel different…
Superhero Discussions: Power, Wealth, and Morality
Superhero Discussions: Power, Wealth, and Morality
Superhero Discussions: Power, Wealth, and Morality
Superhero Discussions: Power, Wealth, and Morality
Discuss with your group and decide on one answer!:
- Question 1: The Ultimate Sacrifice
A supervillain forces a hero to choose: save your single closest loved one, or save an entire city full of strangers. Which hero is most likely to save their loved one, even if it means letting the city be destroyed?
A. Spider-Man: His motto is "with great power comes great responsibility," but would he really sacrifice Aunt May or Mary Jane for his duty?
B. Superman: He is the ultimate symbol of hope and selflessness, but his love for Lois Lane is often called his greatest weakness.
C. Captain America: He defied the entire world and fought his own friends to save his best friend, Bucky Barnes. Is there any line he wouldn't cross for him?
D. Thor: An ancient god sworn to protect Earth, but he has a deep and complicated love for his mischievous brother, Loki. Would he choose family over mortals?
What would your hero or villian do?
- Question 2: The Billionaire's Burden
These heroes have access to nearly unlimited wealth, technology, or power. Which one is making the most questionable choice about how they use their incredible resources to help the world?
A. Batman: Spends billions on Batmobiles, armor, and gadgets to physically fight individual criminals. Should he use that money to build better schools and hospitals to stop crime before it starts?
B. Iron Man: Uses his fortune and genius to build advanced suits of armor and fund the Avengers. Should he instead focus all his effort on creating free, clean energy or curing diseases for the entire planet?
C. Black Panther: As King, he hides Wakanda's futuristic technology (Vibranium) from the rest of the world. Is it right to keep technology that could end poverty and war a secret just to protect his own nation?
D. Doctor Strange: He controls magic powerful enough to solve almost any problem. Is it right for him to only fight mystical threats instead of using his magic to stop famines, natural disasters, or wars?
What would your hero or villian do?
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