Everyday Life in Colonial Times
In Everyday Life in Colonial Times, students are randomly assigned to their own historical character, such as "Revolutionary soldier" or "10-year-old girl". Using library and online resources, they research the daily activities they would experience if they were that individual. Later, they produce a first-person narrative to share with the rest of the class, describing what their life is like. Through this process they not only learn relevant information about the Colonial time period, but also absorb research and note-taking skills as well. It's fun, too!
This lesson will introduce students to several important Social Studies subject areas including the economic and social life of Colonial Americans, slavery in the Revolutionary period and the life of Native Americans during this time. As students share the lives of their various individuals, a greater perspective of this important time in American history is gained.
1. Ask the students, "Who has heard of George Washington?", They all raise hands. Ask, "Who has heard of Thomas Jefferson?", They all raise hands. Then ask, "Who has heard of James Geddy, Jr.?No one? How about Charlotte Berkeley?" Wait a moment. Then explain that these were real people who lived during the Colonial Time period. (James Geddy, Jr. was born in 1731 and was a silversmith during the Revolutionary War. Charlotte Berkeley was a slave on the Berkeley Plantation in Virginia during that same time. This information is from www.colonialwilliamsburg.com )2. Explain to the students that REAL people lived during this time, just like themselves or their parents. Their job is going to be to research one kind of person (list some examples), find out what their everyday life was like, write an essay in the first person narrative and finally share it with the class. 3. Hand out the 'Taking Notes' research sheet and go over the outlined steps. This can be found at http://pmms.msdpt.k12.in.us/imc/Inquiry/IOHTN.pdf
4. Have each student randomly choose a note card. This step generates a lot of excitement as each student finds out 'who' they will be.
5. Give them the research worksheet to help with note taking.
6. Give students grading rubric to help explain expectations.
7. Assist students with independent research. This will vary depending on your library's resources.
8. Students can write their essays in the library or in their homeroom with their teacher if this is a collaborative unit.
9. Have class share essays either by reading or by placing them in a class book.
10. Use rubric (in media section) to grade project.
