English class  /  Indigenous American

Preview of Wandering Stars — Prologue Reading Questions & Historical Context Activity

Wandering Stars — Prologue Reading Questions & Historical Context Activity

Reading questions and activity for learning more about the Sand Creek Massacre.

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Cara, HS English & Film teacher

B.A. English Lit + B.S. Film & TV (Boston University), M.Ed. Teaching 9th grade in Los Angeles.

brb, teaching English 9 and Film Studies Seminar

Indigenous Voices • Carlisle Indian Schools • Sand Creek Massacre

Help students deeply understand the opening of Tommy Orange’s Wandering Stars with this close-reading and historical-context activity designed for the Prologue (pages ix–xi). This resource guides students through Orange’s language, imagery, and allusions while helping them build foundational knowledge of the Carlisle Indian Industrial Schools, Residential Schools, and the Sand Creek Massacre referenced in the text.

This lesson supports comprehension, cultural understanding, and historical awareness — without requiring a full multi-day unit.

About the Lesson

Students will:

  • Closely read the prologue and answer structured, scaffolded questions that support comprehension and interpretation.
  • Learn key background information about Carlisle, forced assimilation policies, and the history connected to the novel.
  • Use the Sand Creek Massacre Source Comparison Chart to evaluate how different sources document the same event — and what that reveals about historical record-keeping.
  • Reflect on how historical events shape the novel’s themes and emotional grounding.

This resource works beautifully as:

  • A pre-reading foundation for the novel,
  • A context-building lesson, or
  • A 1–2 day extension activity focused on history + literary analysis.

What’s Included

  • Prologue Reading Questions (PDF + Editable Google Doc)
  • Full Answer Key
  • Sand Creek Massacre Source Comparison Chart
  • Links to digital versions for easy assignment

Perfect For

  • Grades 9–12 ELA & Humanities
  • Indigenous Voices & Modern Native American Literature
  • Pre-reading for Wandering Stars or There There
  • Historical context lessons on assimilation and Indigenous history
  • Source comparison and media literacy activities

Why You’ll Love It

  • ✅ Helps students unpack the dense, powerful language of the prologue
  • 🧭 Builds essential historical understanding without overwhelming them
  • 🔍 Teaches source evaluation and perspective analysis
  • 🌎 Provides accurate cultural and historical grounding for reading Indigenous texts
  • 📦 Includes both PDF and editable Google Docs formats
  • 🕒 Ideal for 1–2 class periods, depending on discussion depth
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Pairs well with

Wandering Stars — Prologue Mini Lesson Pack Reading questions, answer key, and secondary source comparison chart as well as curated sources to research historical context. Indigenous / Native American Experience KWL Chart – Printable & Editable KWL Chart for units, lessons, and activities centering the Indigenous/Native American experience. Designed for the opening of Marrow Thieves or Reservation Dogs, but adaptable for any Indigenous Works Who Can Identify as Native American? – PBS Viewing Questions & Reflection Activity Viewing questions for PBS Origins Video about who can identify as Native Americans. Help students process and discuss, develop cultural humility.