Colonial Occupations

Overview: During this webquest students will have a chance to explore the many different trades during the Colonial Time period. Then, they will become an expert on one of the trades.

Welcome to the New World! You have just arrived in America.  You need to find work to support your family.  Your job is to learn about the different trades that are available.  You will want to learn about a variety of trades in order to find a job for yourself and relatives who will soon arrive in the New World.

Are you ready? It's time to find a job!  First, you will have to think about your skills and talents.  Take a walk through the village and meet with different tradesmen.  Take time to learn about their jobs and what the different jobs entail.  Take detailed notes so you can report back to your relatives.  Remember your family that is coming to the New World will need to find work right away. 

Let's take a look at a short video about Colonial Williamsburg occupations.  This video is a secondary source since it shows people reenacting colonial trades.  After the video, you will choose your job to research for the project.

Are you ready? It's time to find a job! Now that you have a better idea about what the different jobs entail, you are ready to select your colonial occupation and get to work!  

Let's get started! 

Must Do! (You must do all five)

1) You will sign up for your trade. (Remember only one person can sign up for a trade.)

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4FABA923AAFD0-colonial

2) Next,  you will research one colonial trade.  You will become an expert on that particular job. (Use the video on the link task page. You can also use our library for more resources.)

3) Then, you will write a three-paragraph report explaining your job or an AVID one-pager description of your trade.  Please include the following:

*tools and supplies that your tradesperson would use to do his/her job

*wages

*job responsibilities

*reasons you chose that occupation

*your opinion of your occupation

*what a typical day might be like for someone in your occupation, etc.

4) Prepare a short talk, about one minute long, explaining the trade being represented. Practice your talk so that you can talk about your trade, rather than read to the class about it. You may use notecards, but only as a guide.  It will be announced which platform on which you will record your presentation.

5) Last, you will create a shop sign to match your chosen trade. Paper will be provided upon request, or you may use construction paper. Your sign should be large, and colored neatly. Use the links below for some ideas. You can also design a sign on the computer, and print it out, then glue it on to cardboard.

http://www.pbase.com/worldhoppr/williamsburg_signs

http://www.history.org/foundation/journal/Autumn10/signs/

 Use these search engines!

https://www.ducksters.com/history/colonial_america/jobs_occupations.php

https://www.landofthebrave.info/colonial-trades.htm

https://www.historyforkids.net/Crafts+and+Trades.html

https://mrnussbaum.com/13-colonies-artisans-and-trades

https://mrnussbaum.com/religion-in-the-13-colonies-2 (you have to scroll down a bit to find the trades)

https://www.historyforkids.net/Crafts+and+Trades.html

https://www.historyforkids.net/american-history/1600-1800.html

4

Students have completed all "Must Do" parts of the project.

All information presented is accurate, it is clear the student understands his/her profession.

All project pieces have been constructed with care. It is obvious that much thought and effort went into this project. Handwriting is legible, spelling is accurate, signs, posters and drawings have been colored. All work is neat, and meets fifth grade expectations.

3

Students have completed all parts of the must do project.

All information presented is accurate; it is clear the student understands his/her profession.

Most project pieces have been constructed with care. It is obvious that thought and effort went into this project. Handwriting is legible, spelling is accurate, signs, posters and drawings have been colored. All work is neat, and meets fifth-grade expectations.

2

Students are missing parts of the project.

Information presented may not be accurate, or student does not  have an accurate understanding of his/her profession

Project seems rushed, little effort was put forth, or parts of the project are incomplete

1

Students are missing 3 or more parts to the project.

It is clear that students did not complete research on their trade, and have little understanding about their chosen occupation.

There were a variety of trades needed during Colonial Times.  The hard work and creativity of the colonists helpled to create a new nation. I hope you learned a lot about the different trades and hopefully gave a little thought to what trade/occupation you might like to have when you are older.

After the class presentation you must do a 3,2,1 ticket out the door.

-Write 3 details that you learned about 3 different occupations (other than your selected occupation).

- Write 2 cool details that stood out to you about Colonial occupations, or just two neat things you liked from your classmates' projects

- Write 1 one thing that you are proud of about your project.

This webquest was created using other webquests and teacher made products, in order to create a webquest that would be beneficial for our 5th grade learners.

http://zunal.com/conclusion.php?w=143659

http://www.history.org/history/teaching/trades.cfm

https://sites.google.com/site/galleryimagination/american-revolution-we…