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Distance Learning

Buffalo Soldiers & Dominant Narratives

Niobrara National Scenic River

Grade Level:

High School: Ninth Grade through Twelfth Grade

Subject:

Literacy and Language Arts

Buffalo Soldiers and Dominant Narratives Lesson Plan

History and Culture Writing Lesson
Niobrara Scenic River & Nebraska Writing Project

Materials	Buffalo Soldiers and Dominant Narratives Lesson Video   Writing materials – pencil, pen, paper, word processor  Newspaper articles or news websites
Objectives	Students will be able to articulate and examine dominant and counter narratives about the Black American Soldier’s experiences at Fort Niobrara and rural Nebraska in the mid to late 1800’s and expand their critical thinking skills to expand other narratives they encounter through writing for inquiry.  Students will gain knowledge of the Niobrara National Scenic River and its unique historic and cultural narratives of the Black American Solders at Fort Niobrara.  Students will examine their view of the world and expand it to include counter narratives through critical thinking.  Students will learn about biases in writing.
Lesson Outline	Introduction to the Niobrara National Scenic River  Lesson Outline/Thank you to Partners  Buffalo Soldier Narrative  Dominant and counter narratives  Guided writing through inquiry.
Niobrara National Scenic River  1.5 Minutes	Introduction to the Niobrara National Scenic River  76 miles of river  6 Ecosystems  Outstanding Resources of Value: scenery, recreation, geology, paleontology, wildlife  Introduction to the Buffalo Soldier and Dominant Narratives Lesson  Story of Buffalo Soldiers  What are Dominant and Counter Narratives  Guided critical thinking and writing for inquiry exercise  Partners:  Niobrara National Scenic River, National Park Service  Nebraska Writing Project  Funding: National Writing Project
Buffalo Soldiers 4 minutes	Who were the Buffalo Soldiers  When did they live at Fort Niobrara  What was their daily life  What was the climate of racism on river at that time  How were the Black American Soldiers treated at and beyond their military service
Writing Exercise  26 minutes	What is a Dominant Narrative  Charlotte’s Dominant Narrative  Examples of Dominant Narratives  What is a counter narrative and why do we need them  Guided writing Part 1 (6 min)  Make three lists to examine a story/Buff soldiers/current events  1 – what should go in the story  2 – places you would search for information  3 – people involved in the story  Guided writing for Inquiry (10 min)  Choose a person from your list  Free-write about what you might be able to learn from this person about the story/their narrative  Importance of Counter Narratives
Notes from the Creators:	To access the full playlist of Ever-Changing Currents Lessons, please visit our YouTube page, “Niobrara National Scenic River NPS,” and see our “Lesson Plans” playlist https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyHbU2YEJH9WA_owDStTa1Q/playlists  Lesson outlines and materials are available on the Niobrara National Scenic River Website, www.nps.gov/niob/learn, or through the Nebraska Writing Project, www.unl.edu/newp.  With these resources you are allowed to:  Print as many copies as needed for your classroom and for the students under your immediate instruction.  Use in conjunction within a secure and closed online environment, such as Google Classroom or Schoology.  Share with partnering teachers/organizations.  YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO:  Post this resource on any class/personal website or blog.  Edit, redistribute, sell, or post this resource as your own.

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