The Power of Water and Innovation Drives Culture Change of the Brandywine Valley Sonia D. Saunders

This unit presents the opportunity for students to understand the relationship between Places and Regions. They will begin by experiencing and researching the lifestyle of the native Delaware Indians, the Lenni Lenape, along the Brandywine River. Then the students will compare and contrast the cultural differences of the Europeans who came to Delaware with those of the native Delawareans. They will trace the cooperation as well as the conflict that arose between the two populations. Discussions will focus on how each group utilized natural resources, specifically water. The Lenape used the natural resource of water for fishing, cooking, transportation, and everyday living, whereas, the Europeans came looking for a water source to power waterwheels to drive mills and machinery. The cultures had much to share as well as to differ. This unit offers students the opportunity to explore the world of the past, travel through the industrial age to the present. It is my goal that the students will learn from the cultural differences through our history, and appreciate the need for cultural tolerance in our society now and in the future.