#2 English Colonization
Pages 6-7 and 8 / Lesson Plan

Main Idea: English settlers used force to take land from Native Americans for wealth and power, while ignoring if their actions were right or wrong. 

📘 How Did the English Treat Native Americans?

Theme: Power, Wealth, and Morality

1 - When the English first came to North America, they met many Native American groups who had lived there for thousands of years. At first, there was some trade and cooperation. But over time, things changed. 

2- The English wanted more land and more resources. They believed this land would help them become more powerful and wealthy. 

To get what they wanted, they began to take land from Native Americans. Sometimes they used force. Sometimes they made unfair deals.

3- In general early settlers thought they were better than Native Americans. They tried to control Native people through strength and did not respect their cultures or ways of life. This shows how they used power to take control.

4- Many colonists were focused on wealth—getting rich from farming and trading.

But few stopped to ask, “Is this fair?” or “Is this right?” That question is about morality. 

Choosing between right and wrong is not always easy—but it matters.

Of course. Here are three discussion questions, each with three simple, debatable responses designed for students to argue.

Question 1: The Found Wallet 💵

You find a wallet on the ground with $100 inside but no ID. What is the right thing to do?

• Response A: The right thing to do is to leave the wallet where it is. Taking it would be stealing, and you can hope the owner comes back to find it.

• Response B: The right thing to in do is to take the money and use it. The owner was careless, and finding something with no name on it makes it yours.

• Response C: The right thing to do is to take the wallet to a nearby store or police station. Even without an ID, it gives the owner the best chance of getting it back.

Question 2: The Group Project 🤝

Your group gets a good grade on a project, but you know one person in the group did almost no work. The teacher asks if everyone contributed equally. What should you say?

• Response A: You should say "yes" and let the person share the good grade. It’s more important to be loyal to your friend and not be a "snitch."

• Response B: You should tell the teacher the truth. It's not fair that someone gets a good grade for work they didn't do, and fairness is most important.

• Response C: You should talk to the person who didn't do the work first. You can tell them it wasn't fair and that they need to step up next time, but you don't need to tell the teacher.

Question 3: The Superpower Choice 🦸

If you could have one superpower, which would be the best choice for making the world a better place?

• Response A: The power to heal anyone from any sickness. This would end a lot of suffering and help people live longer, happier lives.

• Response B: The power to end all arguments and make people understand each other. This would stop wars and fighting, creating global peace.

• Response C: The power to create endless food and clean water. This would solve hunger and poverty, which are the biggest problems in the world.