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WebQuest - Life in Colonial America

(If you use this WebQuest with your students, I would appreciate feedback about what worked and what didn't. Scott at sfletcher@sandomenico.org )

Introduction
You have just recently immigrated to the American colonies from England. Your ship has docked in one of these three towns (Boston, Philadelphia, or Charlestown). Penniless and hungry, you find employment and lodging with a local tradesmen as an apprentice and tutor to his two young children. You must work hard and diligently to learn about life in the colonies in order to teach his children and prepare yourself for a better life when you grow up.

The Task
Using the Internet resources provided below and at least two print resources from the library, you will create a character and begin writing a journal, filling it with all you learn about life in this New Land. Be sure to write in the ‘first person’ and include small observations about daily life that your character might make, as well as relating important information. Your journal can include both written descriptions and sketches and each daily entry should be dated. End your journal with an entry describing the work you hope to do when you grow up and the kind of life you would like to have. Create a Power Point or KeyNote Presentation from your journal writings.

The Process
Begin by taking notes from the different resources. Read journal entries from sources to get ‘the feel’ of how a Colonial journal might read. When you are ready, begin writing the journal. You may select a date anytime between 1765 and 1780. It should include information about the colonies surrounding your town (i.e. Boston – Northern or New England Colonies, Philadelphia – Middle Colonies, Charlestown – Southern Colonies), what daily life was like for men, women and children, information on a famous person from that region, your observations about slavery and indentured servants, politics and taxes, and what people did to make a living (Economy & Trade).

Once you have finished the Journal, you will create a 10-slide Power Point or KeyNote presentation detailing Colonial Life for your region.

Use the topics below for each slide:
1. Title Page
2. Geography (Colonies, Cities, Rivers, etc. Include a map)
3. Introduction (who settled there and why)
4. Famous Person
5. Daily life (Roles of men, women & children)
6. Daily life (Roles of men, women & children)
7. Farming & Food
8. Colonial Trades
9. Slavery & Indentured Servants
10. Bibiliography

Resources
Colonial Williamsburg
Daily Life
Slavery in the Colonies
Colonial Resources
More Colonial Links
Colonial Trades
Excerpts from Letters, Diaries, etc.
Martha Ballard's Diary

Evaluation - Journal Rubric

Excellent Good Fair Poor
Journal Entries show deep understanding & reflection of the subject matter and give an authentic "voice" to the character Journal entries show an understanding of the subject matter and are interesting to read Journal entries show only a little understanding of the subject matter and are predictable and dry to read Journal entries do not show an understanding of the subject matter and do not accurately convey the thoughts of the adopted character.
The writing style is clear and spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes are at a minimum. The writing style is clear but occasional spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes cause the reader some confusion. The writing style is somewhat clear but many spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes detract from the reading. The writing style is unclear and spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes are numerous throughout the journal.
Journal entries include many personal observations and thoughts that bring the character TO LIFE. Journal entries include some personal observations and thoughts that help make the character believable. Journal entries contain only a couple of personal observations and thoughts that add little to the believability of the character. There are no personal observations and thoughts in the journal entries.

Evaluation - Presentation Rubric

Excellent Good Fair Poor
The Presentation covers all 8 topics outlined in the "Process" section and relates important and interesting information about each. The Presentation covers almost all of the 8 topics outlined in the "Process" section and generally relates important and interesting information about each. The Presentation covers some of the 8 topics outlined in the "Process" section but information is somewhat vague and uninteresting. The Presentation barely covers the topics outlined in the "Process" section and information is poorly organized and uninteresting.
The Presentation shows an excellent knowledge of PowerPoint, is exciting and fun to view and enhances the viewer's understanding of Colonial Life. The Presentation shows a working knowledge of PowerPoint, is fun to view and generally helps viewers understand Colonial Life. The Presentation shows only a passing knowledge of PowerPoint, is uninteresting to watch and conveys little to the viewer's understanding of Colonial Life. The Presentation shows only a passing knowledge of PowerPoint, is disorganized and conveys very little information of interest.