Wait until you see all the amazing features of a literature guide, though we are using a unique one that covers a musical rather than a book this time. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool High School.
If you’re homeschooling middle or high school students, chances are you’ve heard of Hamilton: An American Musical.
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway phenomenon has stolen the hearts and minds of history buffs, theater lovers, and teenagers.
But did you know that you can turn the excitement of Hamilton into a rich literature and history study for your homeschooler?
The Hamilton Literature Guide is designed specifically for this purpose; it blends history, music, and language arts into one engaging curriculum.
With its detailed lesson prompts, creative projects, and cross-curricular ideas, the guide transforms a popular Broadway musical into a rich and memorable educational experience.
HAMILTON LITERATURE GUIDE
Hamilton: An American Musical - An Instructional Guide for Literature
Excite and engage your students with this instructional guide for Hamilton: An American Musical. This classroom resource provides rigorous activities and questions for students studying Lin-Manuel Miranda's hit Broadway musical. Students will develop critical literacy and comprehension skills, learn how to analyze story elements, develop vocabulary, and integrate higher-order thinking skills as they practice close reading and text-dependent questions. A rubric and cross-curricular questions are included to assess student comprehension in the classroom. The questions in the comprehension assessment section are modeled after standardized tests to help students analyze what they've read, and prepare for tests they may see in their classrooms. Strengthen your students' critical literacy skills by implementing this resource in your classroom.
What I really loved about this guide is that it weaves in many of the assignments in the form of tweets, comics, text messages, and writing your own rap to make them relatable and relevant to our teenagers today.
*I do want to note if you have not already seen this play, it does contain mature content and profanity throughout the songs, so you may want to preview them before beginning.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR HAMILTON
- Of course, you will want to watch the Hamilton Musical on Disney+.
- Grab a copy of Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow which was the inspiration for the Broadway musical.
- Here is the literature guide I am referencing throughout the study- The Hamilton: An American Musical Literature Guide.
- Younger independent readers might enjoy reading Who Was Alexander Hamilton?
- A fun, almost caricature-like version of Hamilton, this step-by-step tutorial on How to Draw Alexander Hamilton.
- Alexander Hamilton: The Fighting Founding Father! (Show Me History!)
- This DIY Alexander Hamilton Costume can be used for elementary through high school students.
- Grab these free printable Hamilton coloring pages.
Then, look at more literature guides.
LITERATURE GUIDES FOR TEENS
- Homeschool High School Literature Guides
- Best High School Literature Suggestions For Teens
- Online High School Poetry (No Teaching Involved)
- Free Middle and High School Homeschool Language Arts
Now, let’s take a look at how you can use the guide step by step in your homeschool…
HOW TO USE HAMILTON: AN AMERICAN MUSICAL LITERATURE GUIDE
1. SET THE STAGE: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
The guide begins with an overview of the Author Lin-Manuel Miranda, other plays and texts for comparison, and a summary of the musical itself. The guide breaks down the musical into 4 sections based on the songs.
Before diving into the lessons, review the background notes and recommended readings included in the guide. These provide you and your child with a clear foundation for understanding the story as they listen to the songs and work through activities.
- Create a timeline of Hamilton’s life and the major events featured in the musical.
2. STUDY THE LYRICS AS LITERATURE
One of the unique strengths of this guide is its focus on the musical’s lyrics as literature. Students are invited to treat the songs like poetry, analyzing wordplay, rhythm, and metaphor. The guide includes questions that point out literary devices and challenge students to interpret meaning.
- Ask your learner to identify foreshadowing in Burr’s opening number, “Wait for It” or analyze how repetition adds intensity in “Non-Stop.”
3. COMPARE STORYTELLING WITH HISTORY
Discussion questions help students think critically about historical accuracy and artistic license. Have your child compare and contrast where the musical aligns with or differs from historical fact.
- Compare how Thomas Jefferson is portrayed in Hamilton with his actual role in shaping American politics.
- What events from Hamilton’s life were left out, and why might Miranda have chosen to omit them?
4. CREATIVE CONNECTIONS AND PROJECTS
The guide itself includes project-based assignments that allow students to make personal and creative connections with the material.
- Write an original rap or spoken-word poem about a Founding Father.
- The guide encourages you to create a staging and lighting plan for the scene “Burn” if you were to recreate it yourself.
- There are creative prompts for creating with the story elements-characters, setting, music, and plot.
You can also challenge your learner to…
- Create a costume sketch for one of the characters.
- Design a modern poster advertising Hamilton as if it were a new Broadway release.
These assignments keep the lessons fun and interactive, especially for our creative learners.
5. STRENGTHEN WRITING SKILLS
The Hamilton Literature Guide provides essay prompts and writing activities for both formal and creative writing. Students can practice persuasive writing, analysis, and reflection while also exploring Hamilton’s life. The deeper dives into vocabulary and figurative language also helps develop writing skills.
6. EXPAND ACROSS SUBJECTS
The guide doesn’t stop at literature. It offers cross-curricular connections that tie the musical into multiple subjects.
In addition to the ideas in the guide, have your child…
- Study excerpts from the Federalist Papers.
- Discuss Hamilton’s financial system and national debt plan.
- Explore how hip-hop, rap, and Broadway traditions influenced the show.
7. END WITH REFLECTION
By the end of the study, students not only gain knowledge of history but also learn how storytelling and art shape our understanding of the past.
One of the features I really liked from this literature guide was the final activity called ”Who Tells Their Story?” where students are encouraged to choose another founding person from early American history and research them.
Then, a challenge to pick a major event and write a song or scene from their life.
Host a family or homeschool group showcase where students share their essays, art projects, or performances inspired by the guide. Of course, you will want to encourage them to create a costume for a character from the musical.
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