Thanks to the Disney film, most students know the legend of Pocahontas. But is the story told in the 1995 movie accurate? In this lesson, students use evidence to explore whether Pocahontas actually saved John Smith’s life and practice the ability to source, corroborate, and contextualize historical documents.
Please note that there are two versions of the lesson plan available. The shorter version is designed for younger students.
[Student Materials (Longer Version) and Original Documents updated on 06/08/21.]
Image: Engraving of Pocahontas by Simon van de Passe was created in 1616. From the Wikimedia Commons.