Exploring when it all began “Colonial America”

Introduction

A Social Studies webquest designed for 6th graders.

We will be looking at Life in Early America, the 13 Colonies as they evolved up until the signing of the Constitution of the United States of America.

Over the course of the next week we are going to be looking to answer the question... When did each Colony form to begin the United States of America and what made each one its own?  

 

Image result for 13 colonies

By Mary Sammons

Task

Students will be split into groups of two. Each group will receive one colony. This is an independent lesson so even though there are groups you are working alone, just with the same colony.

Image result for 13 colonies

The 13 colonies were:

  1. Delaware
  2. Pennsylvania
  3. Massachusetts Bay Colony
  4. New Jersey
  5. Georgia
  6. Connecticut
  7. Maryland
  8. South Carolina
  9. New Hampshire
  10. Virginia
  11. New York
  12. North Carolina
  13. Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

Over the course of 5 days we will build on the content of the paper answering questions, and completing research each day. We will be using at least three different website for our web quest.

Process

Day 1: Students will receive a colony.

Each group will work together to complete a KWL chart, to find new knowledge we must first figure out what we already know. This is the only group task.

Next task is to find websites that will help with answering the questions about the colony, then create references. We will need at least three for each presentation.

Day 2: Create outline in a Power Point or Prezi. (Make it colorful and remember to leave room for pictures)

Frist set of questions to be answered: What year did your colony become a colony? Which geographic area was your colony in? Did your colony have slaves?

Day 3: Start building your introduction

Second set of questions to be answered: In your colony what where the economic, social, and political views? What did your colony produce to trade for other goods?

 

Day 4: Continue adding onto the Prezi or PowerPoint slides

Third set of questions to be answered: Who was the representative from your colony that signed The Declaration of Independence? What religions were practiced in your colony?

Day 5: Pictures throughout time:

Throughout the week you have seen and read many different things about your colony. Now you will build an art portfolio of the people that made up your colony. Make sure they correspond to the questions asked. Each picture will require a caption telling us about the picture.

Possible Resources to use:

www.ushistory.org 

www.history.com

http://www.history.com/topics/exploration/exploration-of-north-america

http://colonialamerica.thinkport.org/welcome-to-colonial-america.html

http://www.history.com/topics/thirteen-colonies

Evaluation

For this Webquest, you will be evaluated on your presentation and your Prezi or PowerPoint.

The presentation and Prezi or PowerPoint will count as a test grade.

    • Student used at least three references
    • Each slide had at least one picture
    • Note section was used to give detailed answers to questions asked
    • All questions were answered in bullets points in slide and in note section
    • In-text citations were present and correct
Conclusion

 

Conclusion: After the students have completed all of their research and outline, they will compose their presentation in a PowerPoint or Prezi. The students are encouraged to add many pictures with captions included. Each Slides needs to answer each question. Students will compare their presentations with the other student with the same colony, then they will each present to the whole class. 

Credits

Clip art found through Google search images.

Teacher Page

Focus:
The objective of this WebQuest is to help this 6th grade class an interesting way to learn about how the first 13 colonies came about.

 

Objectives:
I would use this project to introduce the history of how this country was formed and by who. It will expose them to key ideas and key terms as well as allow them to use technology. Students will also get practice writing.

Common Core State Standards:

  • CCRA.SL.1 - Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

  • CCRA.SL.2 - Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

  • RH.6-8.1 - Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.

  • RH.6-8.2 - Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.

  • RH.6-8.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary specific to domains related to history/social studies.