Diary of a Colonist

 

A WebQuest for 5th grade (Colonial America)

Designed by

Kerry Daimon

daim8596@pacificu.edu





   Introduction
    Greetings, historians! The Smithsonian Museum of American History has contacted you about a display case they are creating on Colonial America. The museum is creating a display that includes recreated diary entries from colonists and they want you, the Colonial American historians, to develop the diaries. Creating these diaries will help the visitors of the Smithsonian Museum of American History gain a deeper and more clear understanding of the typical life of a colonist.


    Task

    Your job will to create a diary from the perspective of a colonist. The final product will be a handwritten journal done on special paper that will provide an authentic and aged look to your diary. Remember, you will be taking on the persona of a colonist. This is a time for you to be creative and have fun while teaching others about the life of a colonist.


    Process

  1. 1.Choose which colony your colonist is from and the type of job or trade that they worked in. The following is a list of the 13 colonies along with the types of jobs or trade that you may choose to research and write about:
           Massachusetts                        Apothecary
           New Hampshire                       Chandler

           Connecticut                             Gunsmith
           Rhode Island                            Tailor
           New York                                 Homemaker
           New Jersey                              Blacksmith
           Pennsylvania                            Wheelwright
           Delaware                                  Wigmaker
           Maryland                                  Printer
           Virginia                                     Milliner
           North Carolina                          Cooper
           South Carolina                         Cabinetmaker
           Georgia

If you have an idea for a different job or trade, please come check with me first for approval before you begin your work.

  1. 2.Then, conduct research on the websites provided in order to answer the following questions:

    Diary Entry 1 - What was daily life in your colony like? What did  you eat? What kind of a          house did you live in? What did you do for enjoyment or fun?

    Diary Entry 2 - Describe in detail the type of work that you did What might a typical work day look like for you? Were there certain tools you used? What was your contribution to the colony?

    Diary Entry 3 - A diary entry topic of your choice. Some examples might be interactions with Native Americans or why your family chose to immigrate to the colonies.

Your research should be recorded in your social studies journals. After you believe you have conducted enough thorough research, show me your notes so that I can ensure that you have enough information to thoroughly complete the diary entries.


Research Websites:

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

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/13colonies1.htm

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/colonialtimes.htm - Browse through the variety of links here, lots of different types of information!

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

http://www.historyisfun.org/pdf/colonial-life/Colonial_Life.pdf



  1. 3.Once I have approved your research notes, it is time to get creative! Using the information you have collected, write a narrative piece describing your research from the perspective of the colonist you have chosen. Once you have completed a draft of one diary entry, show it to me so that I can provide you feedback before you move forward with the other two journal entries.


  1. 4.After completing a draft of all three diary entries, find a classmate to trade diary entries with. Then, read each others diaries and provide each other feedback. Once you have done this peer review step, turn it into me for final editing.


  1. 5.You are almost finished and ready to show off your diary! Once I have returned your diaries with feedback and edits, go to the writing table to pick up some colonial-style paper and pens. Now, carefully create your handwritten diary. Be sure to include dates and at least three drawings or diagrams to illustrate the story you have told.


  1. 6.Please be sure that you have included your name on the back of the diary and then submit it to the turn-in box. Tomorrow, we will be binding the diaries together with covers.


Evaluation

You will be evaluated on the following criterion: quality of research, quality of diary entry writings, the overall final product, and lastly your technology use. Please review the following rubric to see the differing levels of evaluation.




Conclusion

    You have done fantastic work by taking the perspective of a colonist and describing their lives. What do you think you would have written about if you were to take a different perspective during colonial times? What about the perspective of a Native American?


Credits & References

Thank you to the following websites that provided me with pictures and resources for putting together this WebQuestt:

http://www.landofthebrave.info/american-history-of-13-colonies.htm

http://www.ahsd.org/reading/ColonialAmerica.htm

---

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

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/13colonies1.htm

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/colonialtimes.htm -

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

http://www.historyisfun.org/pdf/colonial-life/Colonial_Life.pdf