Students begin by learning the early history of Brazil, including that of its native population. Then they explore and explain the impact of the Portuguese colonization and independence, researching a specific era in Brazil’s history. Finally, they consider the impact of the slave trade on Brazil.
Students read an introduction to Brazil’s unique colonial history and its role in the Atlantic slave trade, then review the Timeline of Brazilian History. They answer two poll questions about early settlement locations and European colonizers, and post two questions they have about Brazil’s history to a discussion wall.
Teacher MovesPreview the experience, highlight the lesson objectives, and ensure students understand that Brazil’s history is complex and will be explored over multiple scenes. After students post their questions, lead a whole-class discussion to surface curiosities and select several student-generated questions to serve as guiding questions for the experience.
Students read selected paragraphs from The Indigenous Population to learn about the early history and ways of life of Brazil’s native peoples before European contact. They then summarize this early history in their own words on a discussion wall.
Teacher MovesHighlight strong or insightful student summaries and share one or more with the class. Facilitate a discussion inviting students to imagine the perspective of native groups at the time of Portuguese arrival, prompting them to consider what would have looked and sounded different and how the newcomers might have been experienced.
Students watch the student-produced video Independence of Brazil (from 0:54–5:35) to trace key events in Portuguese colonization and Brazil’s path to independence. Using a timeline-style graphic organizer, they take notes on major dates, events, and shifts in control. They then answer several multiple-choice questions to check their understanding of treaties, plantation economies, slavery, and foreign challenges to Portuguese control.
Teacher MovesClarify the sequence of events from colonization through independence as needed, ensuring students correctly place key dates and developments on their organizers. Use student responses to the questions to address misconceptions about the Treaty of Tordesillas, the sugar economy, the use of enslaved labor, and the role of other European powers, and then assign each group a specific era or event for the next scene’s research.
In small groups, students research their assigned era or event in Brazilian history using online sources. They create a brief report that includes key facts and dates, important people or groups, and an explanation of how their era or event contributed to Brazil’s overall development. Groups post their reports to a shared discussion wall or link to a product created with a digital tool such as Prezi, a timeline creator, or an online presentation platform, and then present their findings in chronological order.
Teacher MovesSupport groups in locating reliable online information and in clearly connecting their era or event to broader themes in Brazil’s development. After reports are posted, organize group presentations in historical sequence and guide students to notice continuity and change across eras, asking comparative and synthesis questions to build a coherent narrative of Brazil’s history.
Students examine a historical image titled “Brazilian Overseer Punishing an Enslaved Person” and then read the article Brazilian Former Slave Community Fights for Land to explore the long-term impacts of slavery in Brazil. They respond on a discussion wall to a prompt about what should be done for people in former slave communities, supporting their ideas with evidence from the article and prior learning.
Teacher MovesPrepare students for the emotionally difficult primary source image by framing its historical context and offering space for reflection. While students read, help them focus on the central ideas rather than technical legal details so they can see the connection between slavery and present-day struggles over land and rights. After students post their responses, share a thoughtful example and facilitate a class discussion about possible remedies and the ongoing legacy of slavery in Brazil.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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