-
1500
Activity 1: Investigating the History of Jamestown 1500s-1750
To learn about the history of the early British colony of Jamestown with Chart, Examples of people and events involved in the history of Jamestown, a map of North America, Map of colonial Jamestown, books on Jamestown. Students will read and outline the events that changed the course of Jamestown and outline the new type of goverment -
Activity 1: Investigating the History of the Plymouth Colony
To learn about the history of the British Plymouth colony using map to show locations of the Plymouth colony, Massachusetts, and Jamestown, Map of US today, Chart, Examples of people and events involved in the history of the Plymouth colony, Massachusetts, Images and books on the Plymouth colony and of the Wampanoag, students will use their journals to describe and draw plants and animals used by the Wampanoag and to write about the self-government established in New England colonies. -
Activity 2: Re-enacting the Founding of Plymouth Colony 1600-1691
Students will reenact the story of the founding of the Plymouth colony using the Chart, Examples of people and events involved in the history of the Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts, index cards with names of a role for each student, assorted props, and research material. Students will write the play, rehearse, and prepare props to perform the play on an agreed-upon day. -
Activity 1: Identifying the 13 colonies
Students will identify and name the original 13 colonies and the major population centers and identify and name the indigenous peoples using Map, The 13 colonies as of 1681, current US map, and a blank map of US today. Students will label their blank maps with names of 13 colonies and their major cities using color pencils to make each colony a different color -
Activity 2: Applying the Big Picture Questions
Students will discover the history of the 13 colonies completing the big-picture research questions using a globe, a current US map. the Timeline of People, and a list of possible big-picture research questions. Students will use reference materials to research one big-picture category about the 13 colonies and then research the remaining categories (the people, spirituality/culture, relations within and between groups) to create questions/answers for each category of questions -
Activity 3: Examining the Relationship between Native Americans and Colonists
To better understand the relationship between colonists and indigenous peoples using the map, Review the northeastern area of the US where the 13 colonies were located in 1681and discuss lives of Native Americans, how they assisted colonists and issues that arose. Will write a short story in their journal describing how they might have felt if they were in a tribe that was forced to move to relocate and what they might have done. -
Activity 2: Investigating the Slave Trade
Students will describe the process of the African slave trade using images associated with the transporting of slaves, the slave trade, and slaves at work and ask students to research and write about two terms related to slavery and to write several paragraphs describing the work done by a field slave in the south, a domestic slave in the north, and a craftsworker in the north -
Activity 1: Examining the Rationale for Slavery
To understand the economic and social reasoning many colonists used to justify the practice of slavery, students will discuss the map and industries and agriculture of the north and south and express their opinions regarding the colonist's beliefs about slavery and write a short essay describing how agriculture, business, and personal beliefs related to use of slaves in colonial America -
Activity 1: Presenting two sides of the American Revolution
Students will understand the major forces and events that led to the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence, and to identify the roles of American patriots such as George Washington using images of people and events associated with the American Revolution and summary chart: Some of the significant people and events of the American Revolution and Declaration of Independence to create posters of patriot's point of view and Britain's point of view to present to the class -
Activity 2: Exploring the Ideas in the Declaration of Independence
Students will become familiar with the ideas contained in the Declaration of Independence using a copy of the Declaration of Independence, three question cards for discussion about (1) the right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," (2) the impact of the inclusion of liberty and rights on people in France, South America and southern US, and (3) what does and has "all men are created equal" meant in practice? Students will analyze the "I have a dream" speech by Dr. King -
Activity 2: Tracking Westward Expansion during the 1800s
To understand some of the people and events that contributed to the movement of large numbers of people into the West during the 1800s. Students will use current US map and map, The US by 1900, and the chart, Eight significant events in the westward expansion of the US in the 1800s. Students will label the map with markers for each of these eight events and routes. Students will research and write about each of these topics in their chart -
Activity 3: Making a Pamphlet Encouraging Pioneers to Move West
To understand the motivations of pioneers from the US and Europe for moving to the West. To investigate pioneers, students will view images of pioneers traveling in the West and discuss their motivations. Students will create an 1810 pamphlet advertising western land to pioneers from Europe and eastern US, including images and at least three reasons discussed in this activity. -
Activity 1: Reporting on the War of 1812
To understand the significance of the War of 1812 in US History, students will study the chart, Issues associated with the war of 1812. Ask students to imagine that they are reporters in the War of 1812 and choose from the chart one issue or related person, place, or event to write about for the fictitious newspaper of the time adding a drawing or photograph to their articles. -
Activity 4: Creating a Native American Dance
To understand the impact of expansion by pioneers and settlers into the West on indigenous peoples and the relationship between pioneers and settlers, government, and indigenous peoples. Students will research, create, and then perform a 2-3 minute dance expressing what Native Americans might have felt about what happened to them and their land during westward expansion allowing ample time for writing and rehearsing. -
Activity 1: Examining What Led to the American Civil War
To describe the factors that led to the civil war between the Confederate States and the Union. Students will discuss readings "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and ask students about impressions the author gives of the south and slavery. Students will use their journals to explain what is meant by civil war and list differences between the southern and the northern states before the American Civil War. -
Activity 3: Exploring how the abolition movement helped end slavery
Students will understand how the abolition movement helped end slavery using the books "Underground to Canada," "Amistad: a Long Road to Freedom and index cards with the name of an abolitionist, chart, Words, terms, and people associated with slavery in Colonial America. Students will write 5-7 paragraphs in their journals summarizing the history of slavery in colonial American using their chart to help them organize main topics and guide content, then add details as needed. -
Activity 4: Encoding Information into a Song
Students will understand how slaves found ways to resist slavery, including passing information to each other about possible escape routes. Students will use the book "Follow the Drinking Gourd" to learn about the use of the song "Follow the Drinking Gourd" which told the escape route from Alabama and Mississippi to the north. Students will write an encoded song about the escape route discussed with an explanation of the song's meaning and challenges in writing the song. -
Activity 2: Investigating the Major Events of the Civil War
To understand the major events of the American Civil War 1861-1865 using the chart, Summary of events, people, and places of the American Civil War 1861, maps, and photographs of the Civil War and its major figures. Students will color maps to show states making up the Secession, research and write about one of the people or events of the American Civil War 1861, discussed images of soldiers, and write about how the concepts in the Gettysburg address affect students' lives today. -
Activity 1: Locating What States Made Up the US by 1900
Students will locate on a map what states made up the US by 1900, after 100 years of large numbers of people moving westward using a current US map and the map, The US by 1900. Students will clolr and label each map with the names of states as of 1900, leaving areas of land that were not states blank.