Frontier America in the Federal era has no mightier expression than in Fennimore Cooper’s The Deerslayer, giving high school students an experience in classic literature that elevates their sensibilities as the student experiences the adventure and dangers of the frontier. The vocabulary and imagery in Cooper’s scenes cultivate an appreciation for language, expand vocabulary and enhance the student’s own writing whetting the appetite for more. The teacher guide gives the background and detailed instruction for the notebook method in studying this classic. The Deerslayer is taught in the eleventh grade literature curriculum.
