The fourth instructional activity in the series of 16 asks researchers to analyze an exchange of letters between John and Abigail Adams for what they each valued in letter writing.

Concepts

abigail adams, john adams, friendly letters, primary source analysis, primary sources, nonfiction, nonfiction text features, the american revolution

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Instructional Ideas

• Ask class members who have family members who wrote letters during times of conflict if they could read or share those communications with the class
• Use the series during March's Women's History Month
• Prepare and distribute the letters for the next day's lesson and have pupils complete the Epistolary Analysis sheet as homework
• Have groups research the references in both John Adam's and Abigail's letters

Classroom Considerations

• Fourth of 16 lessons in the series
• Lessons are designed to be taught in order
• The nature of the lessons makes them most appropriate for higher ed or advanced high school history or Language Art classes
• Requires copies

Pros

• Includes a list of discussion questions that encourage close reading and reflection

Cons

• None

Common Core

RH.11-12.1 RH.11-12.2