Contextualizing 1491-1607
- Rosie Jayde Uyola
- Sep 10, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 15, 2025
Do Now ( 5 min = 8 - 10 sentences)
How did Native American societies organize their political, economic, and cultural systems before European arrival, and how were these transformed through early European encounters?
In Period 1 (1491-1607), Europeans pursued the exploration and colonization of the Americas.
What do you see? (5 min = 8 - 10 sentences)
Consider: what do the images suggest about the interactions between Native Americans and the Europeans?
Domain Vocabulary: Columbian Exchange, encomienda, matrilineal, Pueblo, nomadic, irrigation, smallpox.
Part I: KWL Chart (5 minutes)
A great way to kick off the unit is to recognize what you already know about the time period and begin to brainstorm a list of items for which you would like more information.
Only complete the first two columns today. Add to the final column after each class in order to demonstrate your expansion of knowledge.
As you complete the chart, consider the following questions:
What was America like before European colonization? What political structures were in place? Social systems? Economic practices?
What ideas, philosophies, events, people, inventions, movements, etc. occurred during this time period (15th and 16th centuries)?
What I Know (or think I know)… What I Wonder… What I Learned…
Part II: Gallery Walk
Source Analysis (20 minutes)
In Period 1 (1491–1607), Europeans pursued the exploration and colonization of the Americas. Notice that this time period begins in 1491. Christopher Columbus did not arrive in the Americas until 1492. This means that part of this unit will focus on Native American life BEFORE the arrival of Europeans.
Native Americans ’ interactions with their environment were unique and complex. Their economic and cultural practices exhibited a close relationship with their surroundings. After the arrival of the Europeans, the Old World and the New World developed an exchange of ideas, goods, and services. This network became known as the Columbian Exchange.
Not all interactions between the Europeans and Native Americans were peaceful. Interactions differed between the Native Americans, Spanish, French, English, and Dutch. Before we begin this unit, evaluate the images below. Consider: what do the images suggest about the interactions between Native Americans and the Europeans?
Station 1 – 16th Century Drawing of Aztecs
Question: What inferences or conclusions can you make about interactions between Native Americans and Europeans?
Station 2 – 1522 Illustration from Bartolomé de las Casas, Brief Relation of the Destruction of the Indies
Question: What inferences or conclusions can you make about interactions between Native Americans and Europeans?
Station 3 – Basilica Cathedral of Santa María la Menor (construction began 1514, Dominican Republic)
Question: What inferences or conclusions can you make about interactions between Native Americans and Europeans? Station 4 – John White, “Indians Dancing Around a Circle of Posts ” (1585–1586)
Question: What inferences or conclusions can you make about interactions between Native Americans and Europeans?
Part III: Think-Ink-Pair-Share
After completing the Gallery Walk, take a moment to write your individual response to the question below. Then, share with your partner and be prepared to discuss as a class.
Prompt: How do today ’ s sources confirm or complicate what you wrote in the “What I Know ” column of your KWL chart?
Part IV: Exit Ticket (5 minutes)
Return to your KWL chart and complete the complete sentences. “What I Learned” column. Then answer the prompt below
Prompt: Based on today's lesson, what are two specific insights you learned about Native American societies or European encounters?