English with Mrs. Lamp

To me, the Puritans are an essential part of my 11th grade American Literature course. Not only do my students need to understand the Puritans in order to fully grasp what’s going on in The Scarlet Letter and The Crucible (I teach both, and the kids really love them!), but the Puritans are also pretty important folks when it comes to the foundations of modern-day American culture & identity!

The Puritan era, spanning from the early 1600s to the late 1700s, was a formative period in American history. The writings from this time offer invaluable insights into the beliefs, values, and experiences that shaped early American society and continue to influence our nation today. I like to start my school year with a unit exploring Puritan beliefs & values through the lens of the writings they left behind. Here’s why Puritan literature deserves a prominent place in the 11th grade ELA curriculum:

1. It introduces students to America’s literary roots. Writers like Anne Bradstreet, Edward Taylor, Jonathan Edwards, and William Bradford were among the first to give voice to the American experience. Their works provide a window into the hopes, fears, and values of early colonial America.
2. It explores fundamental themes of American identity. Concepts like individual responsibility, the pursuit of a better life, and the idea of America as a “city upon a hill” (as articulated by John Winthrop) are still central to American self-perception. By studying Puritan texts, students can trace these ideas to their source and critically examine their evolution over time.
3. It challenges students’ critical thinking skills. Puritan texts, with their archaic language and complex theological concepts, push students to engage in close reading and careful analysis. Tackling these challenging works builds critical thinking skills that serve students well across all subjects.
4. It’s a great way to introduce important literary techniques. Puritan literature, particularly poetry by figures like Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor & sermons by Jonathan Edwards, is full of rich metaphors, conceits, allusions, and inverted syntax, among other poetic devices that, when studied together, really will enhance your students’ analytical skills.
5. It provides context for later American literature. Many themes and conflicts in Puritan writing – the individual versus society, the role of faith in public life, our role within our broader community, shared responsibilities, personal morality, and more – recur throughout American literature. Understanding Puritan beliefs and values via a Puritan unit provides crucial context for works like The Scarlet Letter or The Crucible, common choices for 11th graders.
6. It encourages reflection on moral and ethical issues. Puritan writings often grapple with questions of right and wrong, personal responsibility, and the nature of good and evil. Engaging with these texts can foster valuable discussions about ethics and morality.

To effectively teach Puritan literature, it’s crucial to have a well-structured unit that makes these complex, archaic texts accessible to modern students. A comprehensive 3-week unit can provide the perfect framework for this exploration. (Find my unit here!) Here’s how such a unit might be structured:

Week 1: Introduction to Puritan History and Beliefs

• Begin with background readings on Puritan history and beliefs to build context.
• Introduce key figures like William Bradford and John Winthrop through their non-fiction writings.
• Use annotation and summary activities to build close reading skills.

Week 2: Exploring Puritan Poetry and Sermons

• Dive into the poetry of Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor.
• Examine the fiery rhetoric of Jonathan Edwards’ sermons.
• Incorporate vocabulary-in-context activities to support comprehension.
• Use in-depth reading questions to guide analysis and discussion.

Week 3: Synthesis and Assessment

• Explore later Puritan writers like Phillis Wheatley, connecting to themes of race and equality.
• Engage in comparative analysis across different Puritan texts.
• Conduct a formative assessment to check understanding before the final exam.
• Conclude with a comprehensive final assessment of your choice. I like to combine multiple choice with short answer because it allows me to grade quickly but still cover a lot of ground & really assess student understanding.

Please note that throughout a unit like this (especially with older texts), it’s important to connect historical context to contemporary relevance. Encourage your students to reflect on timeless themes of faith, morality, and personal responsibility as you work your way through the various readings & assignments within the unit. Consider also providing elements like scaffolded annotation practice, vocabulary support, and even study guides for struggling learners if you really want to make these challenging texts accessible to all students!

By teaching Puritan literature MINDFULLY & with INTENTION, we’re not just covering a literary period – we’re helping our students understand the very foundations of American culture and identity! Units like these give our kids tools to interpret the world around them and begin finding & carving out their own place in the world, too. Remember, it’s our job to ensure that every unit we teach is fostering critical thinking, cultural awareness, and personal growth!

How do you teach Puritan lit? Do you have a unit like this in your curriculum? What texts do the kids enjoy most?