Mrs. Townsend
Social Studies Colonial Webquest
Introduction
The standard addressed for the activity is to learn about a significant era in history. In this case, students will learn through teamwork about one of the original 13 Colonies. Another social studies standard is to pose questions and work collaboratively with others to answer those questions. Categories will be given, but the way to approach the research will be through questioning.
The Colonial Era begins with European exploration and settlement along the coastal area of North America. Each Colony had unique geographical features, natural resources, and cultures established as people immigrated to the region. As time went on the Colonies were grouped into the Southern Colonies, Middle Colonies, and the New England Colonies.
Task
The task of the group is to work together to assign different roles in order to research the colony in the most efficient manner.
Historian: This person will look to the history of the area, who settled the land, who bought the land, who were the first people to establish the colony. A timeline of events for the colony is created.
Geographer: This person will create a map of the area and a description of the land, its uses, and types of natural resources available to the settlers.
Job Scout: What types of jobs were available in a colonial village and what jobs were essential in order for the colony to thrive.
Colonial Leader: As a leader for the colonial research, your role will be to find what laws governed the colony, what type of charter did the colony put into place, what type of government did the colonial people agree to for their new home.
Each group member will research with the thoughts/questions in mind and take notes as different information arises in these two areas : What difficulties did the colony have? What made the colony successful?
Process
Each of the roles need research questions to begin the research. Use the five Ws and How to help direct your research.
Included are a group of questions to help your group get started on the webquest. Please continue to question as you learn more abour your colony.
Geographer
Where is the colony located?
What type of land is availabel to grow crops?
How will the colony make money from the resources available?
Why did the settlers decide to live in this area?
How did the geographical features of the land persuade the leaders to establish the colony in this area?
Colonial Leader
What was the purpose of the government?
Who established the government?
How were rule-breakers punished?
Who will be allowed to participate in the voting, counsel, etc.
What role does the church play in governing the colony; what type of religious groups settle the colony?
Job Scout
What jobs are available from the natural resources in the area?
Describe the jobs that are available in the village or fort?
What role do women play in the colony?
How are people hired? Who came to develop the colony first and then what jobs were available after the colony begins to thrive?
Historian
Who commissioned (paid for the colony) to be developed?
How did European rulers establish the laws of this area?
When did the colonists begin to pull away from English rule?
When was the Colony established and an established government put into place?
Why did people decide to settle this area? (Very Important to find out)
The following websites from my portaportal will be helpful in your research. Please go and see what I have posted under Coloinal America
Evaluation
Create a Google site on your Google Doc. The site will have a home page that identifies the colony. From the Home Site your partners will add pages to develop the different roles of history, geography, government, and jobs. Each person will help to identify the problems and successes the colony faced and overcame to become the state it is today.
Another Option is a Google Presentation: Within the Google Presentation, students can add voice over to help present the information. (I am not sure we can add voices with Google)
A brochure of your colony can be created on Pages. Each student decides which page style they will complete. Then, the pages will be added together at the end. It will need to be stapled rather than folded.
The Expository rubric for Topic Development, Elaboration and Evidence, and Conventions will be used to assess each individual student's work.
Conclusion
Oral Presenation rubric will be used for each student as they present the information to the class.