Phillis Wheatley Lesson Plans

February 17, 2021

There are so many wonderful ways you can study Phillis Wheatley’s life! Our top recommendation is simply to read her poetry and learn about her life! Here are a few ideas to help get you started.

For the free downloads to go with our Philllis Wheatley letter go here!

Don't have the letter yet? You can grab the snail mail letter here by purchasing our current month's letter or subscribing to Heritage Letter anytime before March 14, 2021.

For All Ages

Video

“To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty” performed by Alayna Vernon

Excerpt from “His Excellency General Washington” performed by Amaya Tucker

Here’s an interview with playwright, Dr. Amanda Kemp about her views on Phillis Wheatley…it’s a great listen for parents and older students

Podcast

Your Story Hour’s Exciting Events: Volume 8 “A Girl Called Phillis”

Stuff You Missed in History Class: Phillis Wheatley

Visit

Boston Women’s Memorial to see the statue of Phillis Wheatley by artist, Meredith Bergmann

Books

Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral by Phillis Wheatley

The Poems of Phillis Wheatley with Letters and a Memoir by Phillis Wheatley

Biography

Phillis Sings Out Freedom: The Story of George Washington and Phillis Wheatley by Ana Malaspina

One Week with Phillis Wheatley

There are more than enough poems in our free downloads for our Phillis Wheatley letter to read one poem written by Phillis each day for a week. That alone is a beautiful way to spend one week with her, but if you're looking for more activities here's what we recommend (all of the poems and activities recommended below can be found in our free downloads here):

Day 1: Learn about Phillis Wheatley

Read the Heritage Letter from Phillis Wheatley

Read the poems "Hymn to the Morning" and "Hymn to the Evening"

Watch “Hymn to the Evening” performed by Claire D. Philipp

Day 2: Learn more about Phillis Wheatley

Read a biography about Phillis Wheatley

Read “His Excellency General Washington” by Phillis Wheatley

Watch an excerpt from “His Excellency General Washington” performed by Amaya Tucker

Day 3: Learn more about Phillis Wheatley

Read “To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty” by Phillis Wheatley

Watch “To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty” performed by Alayna Vernon

Bonus: Listen to a podcast about Phillis Wheatley:

for younger children: Your Story Hour’s Exciting Events:Volume 8 “A Girl Called Phillis”
for older children/adults:Stuff You Missed in History Class: Phillis Wheatley

Day 4: Virtual Tour of the Phillis Wheatley Statue