"A Practical Experiment in
Colonization"
Submitted by: Gene W. Mason
School or Affiliation: Emerson Junior High, Enid, Oklahoma.
Endorsed by: These lesson plans are the result of the work of the teachers who have
attended the Columbia Education Center's Summer Workshop. CEC is a consortium of teacher
from 14 western states dedicated to improving the quality of education in the rural,
western, United States, and particularly the quality of math and science Education. CEC
uses Big Sky Telegraph as the hub of their telecommunications network that allows the
participating teachers to stay in contact with their trainers and peers that they have met
at the Workshops.
Date: May 1994
Grade Level/Subject: 8-12
Overview: Following the study of the establishment of the
English colonies (1500-1733) many students in American History have great difficulty in
comprehending the obstacles and problems that had to be overcome to accomplish the
founding of an early colony.
Purpose: The purpose of this activity is to provide an
opportunity for American History students to gain practical experience in the basic types
of challenges that may exist in the establishment of any early colony.
Objectives: As a result of this activity the students
will:
1. Learn the importance of geographic location which can determine the survival and
progress of a colony.
2. Examine the effects that cultural background and specific historical events have
upon the development of a colony.
3. Review examples of documents that have established laws and regulations for historic
colonies and to determine the specific regulations and laws to be established for their
colony design.
4. Study the various types for colonial stockades and list the important considerations
of colonial design.
5. Learn the basic concepts of flag design and the basic types of symbolism expressed
by many flags or banners.
Resources/Materials:
- American History reference material on the early English colonies in North America.
These materials should provide illustrations of early colonial construction and maps
displaying the geographic locations of English colonies.
- Several copies of early colonial laws such as the Mayflower Compact, the Fundamental
Orders of Connecticut, and the Maryland Act of Toleration.
- Various artwork supplies and adequate work tables or desks.
- Bulletin boards for display of colonial designs.
Activities and Procedures:
- Choose a geographic location of their new colony on a fictitious regional map including
various common physical features. The students must consider the geographic features
necessary for the survival and future development of their colony design.
- Create a brief history describing the major historical events and people concerning the
founding and development of their colony. The students should realize the effect of
cultural background upon the development of a colony.
- Establish a charter to create the laws (rules and regulations) thought necessary to
secure the rights of colonists. The students should determine the type of government they
wish to develop and what laws will be needed to guarantee those chosen rights.
- Design the construction of the first community shelters or village. The students should
consider the subject of size of population, stockades for defense, students should examine
other early colonies such as Jamestown, Virginia and other historic colonial designs.
- Design a colonial flag or banner to represent the colony created. The students should
consider the basics of flag design and determine the symbolism of specific figures and
choice of color. The students should examine the various stages of development of our
American flag.
- Compare and contrast the various sections of the assignment among the students in the
class. Many sections of the colonial design assignment can be mounted for display and
discussion.
Tying It All Together
- Upon the conclusion of this activity the instructor should consider the creative nature
of this assignment during the evaluation process.
- Upon the completion of this assignment the students will share their ideas concerning
the various creative phases of their colonial design.
- The students may be motivated to actually construct miniature models of colonial
structures which can be an excellent hands-on demonstration.
- The students will realize the inter-relationship of various developments during the
establishment of a colony such as geographic location, cultural background, type of
government, and qualities of leadership and cooperation.
- This assignment is designed to combine several types of social studies skills such as
geographic knowledge, American History, Civics of early America, creative artwork, and
creative writing.
- This assignment is designed to allow the students to work at their own individual level
and to achieve some level of success through various parts of the government.
- The students may choose to involve horizontal enrichment (through the expansion of
present grade the analysis of higher level or advanced research material).
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