Lesson 4: Problems and Events Leading Up To
the Attack of 1704
Activity 1: 15 minutes
Activity 2: 2 hours
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Key Content Ideas Taught in this Lesson and Teacher Background |
Many conflicts occurred between the Native
Americans and English. Hundreds of Native Americans ambushed Captain
Lathrop and his men at Bloody Brook on September 18, 1675, resulting
in many deaths. The English attacked an area north of Deerfield
called "The Falls" on May 17, 1676. Mostly Native women,
children, and the elderly were killed during this attack.
for more information read:
Teacher Background Essays: Bloody Brook,
Falls Fight
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Intended Learning Outcomes |
Understandings
Students will understand that:
1. that the Bloody Brook attack of September
18, 1675, resulted in many deaths. On that day, Captain Lathrop
and his men were ambushed by hundreds of Native Americans as they
attempted to bring winter grain to safety south of Deerfield.
2. that the English, under the leadership of Captain William Turner,
attacked an area north of Deerfield called "The Falls."
Hundreds of Native women, children, and the elderly were attacked
while sleeping, resulting in many deaths. This event happened
in May of 1676.
3. that the English and the Native Americans were both victims
of attacks and aggressors.
4. the ways these two attacks were carried out and their results.
5. that accounts of the attacks were written by the English and
their descendants. These accounts reflected their own bias. Discriminatory
language was often used to describe the attacks in these accounts.
Skills
Students will be able to:
1. read and understand selected excerpts from
books.
2. use what they have learned from their readings to help them
understand historic events.
3. analyze their sources and begin to understand the concept of
bias and point of view in written historical records.
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In Preparation for Teaching |
1. Copy readings and worksheets.
2. Review the two attacks: Bloody Brook
overview, Falls Fight overview.
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Primary and Secondary Sources:
1. Excerpts from The Redeemed Captive Returning
to Zion by John Williams
(Bloody Brook readings and Falls
Fight readings)
2. Excerpts from History of Deerfield by George Sheldon
(Bloody Brook readings and Falls
Fight readings)
3. Excerpts from The History of Philip's
War, by Thomas Church
4. Excerpt from Soldiers in King Philip's War, by George
Bodge
(Bloody Brook readings and Falls
Fight readings)
5. Teacher background essays- Bloody Brook,
Falls Fight
Other:
1. flip chart paper and markers
2. two versions of 2-page Battle Summary Worksheets (one is for
Bloody Brook, and the other is for the Falls Fight)
3. Highlighting markers
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Activities |
Materials in Context |
Activity 1
Deerfield as an Outpost
A. Review with students the safety of
Deerfield in relation to other English towns on the Map
of New England from 1677 (from Lesson Three, Activity 1.)
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Map of
New England from 1677
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Activity 2
"Bloody Brook Massacre" and the "Falls Fight"
Research
A. Divide students into small groups and assign half of
the groups to study the Bloody Brook "Massacre",
and the other half to study the Falls Fight. Distribute
the source readings accordingly.
B. Tell students that they will be gathering information
about the two attacks in small groups, using primary and
secondary sources.
1. Explain that groups should divide
up the readings. Each student should skim his/her readings
and highlight information about:
- how the battles were carried out (who did what and when)
- what the results of the battle were (e.g. how many people
died or were wounded)
- the language used to describe the attacks and the attackers
C. Distribute the appropriate Battle
Summary Worksheet for each student to complete.
D. Hold a class discussion to review
findings. (Note: Help students to understand the implications
of words like "fight" and "massacre".
Also, note that there are discrepancies in the numbers of
attackers, dead, etc. This issue will be addressed in Lesson
6.) Ask:
- In the Bloody Brook Massacre, how
are the victims viewed?
- In the Falls Fight, how are the victims
viewed?
- Compare the two charts that describe
the victims and attackers in each case. Which chart shows
stronger language? Why?
- The attack at Bloody Brook is known
as a "massacre" and the attack at the "Falls"
is known as a "fight". Which attack had more
victims? Which attack resulted in more deaths?
- In a dictionary, look up the definitions
for "fight" and "massacre". In each
attack, did either victim group fight back?
- Should either attack be called a "massacre"?
Why or why not?
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Readings for Bloody
Brook:
Excerpt from The Redeemed Captive
Returning to Zion
Excerpt from History of
Deerfield
Excerpt from Soldiers in King
Philip's War
Readings for Falls Fight:
Excerpt from The Redeemed Captive
Returning to Zion
Excerpt from History of
Deerfield
Excerpt from Soldiers in King
Philip's War
Excerpt from The History of
Philip's War
Battle Summary Worksheets:
Falls Fight Worksheet page 1
Falls Fight Worksheet page 2
Bloody Brook Worksheet page 1
Bloody Brook Worksheet page 2
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Use the Battle Summary Sheets to assess the degree
to which students achieved the intended learning outcomes for this
lesson.
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