This Big Read Teacher’s Guide contains ten lessons to lead you through Willa Cather’s classic novel, My Ántonia. Each lesson has four sections: a thematic focus, discussion activities, writing exercises, and homework assignments. In addition, we have provided capstone projects and suggested essay topics, as well as handouts with more background information about the novel, the historical period, and the author. All lessons dovetail with the state language arts standards required in the fiction genre.
Finally, the Big Read Reader’s Guide deepens your exploration with interviews, booklists, time lines, and historical information. We hope this guide and syllabus allow you to have fun with your students while introducing them to the work of a great American author.
From the NEA, we wish you an exciting and productive school year.
Willa Cather as managing editor of McClure's, 1908 (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Archives & Special Collections)
Willa Cather commissioned these illustrations from Bohemian artist W.T. Benda for the first edition of My Ántonia, but the publisher did not include the images because of the cost. (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Archives & Special Collections)
The University of Nebraska scholarly edition restored the W.T. Benda illustrations according to Cather's original intent. (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Archives & Special Collections)
Eleven-year-old "Willie" Cather holds her bow and arrow as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Hiawatha, 1885. (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Archives & Special Collections)
