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Lesson 2

We will continue our study of the following question: How does Lin-Manuel Miranda’s interpretation of Alexander Hamilton compare with the Hamilton revealed in the primary and secondary sources? We will also begin to think about our responses to the question, “How important is it to be historically accurate when creating art that is based on a real person or event?” To prepare, we will read The New York Times article “Hamilton and History: Are They in Sync?”

Lesson Goals

  • Can I gather and organize relevant and sufficient evidence to help me decide how historically accurate Hamilton: An American Musical is?

  • Can I recognize and interpret language and sentence structures to deepen my understanding of texts?

  • Can I explore a variety of credible sources to answer a question or solve a problem using an organized and dynamic process of inquiry?

Texts

Core

  • Tradebook
    • Hamilton: The Revolution, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter, Grand Central, 2016
  • Multimedia
    • Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Recording), Lin-Manuel Miranda, Atlantic, October 16, 2015
  • Unit Reader
    • “‘Hamilton’ and History: Are They in Sync?,” Jennifer Schuessler, New York Times Company, 2016

Materials

Tools

Question Sets

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Read

We will read the New York Times article "Hamilton and History: Are They in Sync?”

With a partner, read "Hamilton and History: Are They in Sync?"

While reading, underline the plot, event, and character differences mentioned between the musical and historical documents. Put an asterisk next to the sections that discuss what the musical got right.

As you read, add new words and their definitions to your Vocabulary Journal.

Activity 2: Write

We will analyze the article using the Attending to Details Tool.

With your partner, use the Attending to Details Tool to analyze the article.

Write evidence in the Attend to Details rows that will help you answer the following guiding question:

  1. How historically accurate is Hamilton: An American Musical?

After writing the evidence, write your thoughts about the details in the Think about the Details row.

After gathering all of the relevant details from the article, complete the Express Your Understanding row by making your final observations about the text.

Activity 3: Write

We will complete research to help us respond to the following question: how historically accurate is the musical Hamilton?

With your partner, you will research the question, “How historically accurate is Hamilton: An American Musical?”

Take notes on the Research Note-Taking Tool as you begin to form your answer to this question.

Activity 4: Discuss

We will share our research with the whole class.

In a whole-class discussion, share your research.