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This elementary kit takes place across the continent from the
Miwok kit. The essential question in this study is "what was it like to be a child in
colonial America?" Students participate in an intensive study of geography including
a colonial family tree, where they trace the story behind the names of the thirteen
original colonies. Because the literature unit for this study is The Witch of Blackbird
Pond there is a further emphasis on colonial trade routes and the importance of the
shipping industry for the fledgling colonies. Students experience in a variety of creative
writing activities from learning logs to ballads, to writing persuasive letters arguing
for or against crossing the Appalachian Mountains in search of land and a better life. As
a colonial child they sharpen their quill pens so they can write in their copybooks. They
play with their tops and corn dolls and help the adults make candles, pomanders, dried
apples and stewed apple coffee cake. Along the way students role play being an apprentice.
A final research project includes a multidimensional presentation of their trade or craft
including hanging up their trade sign and giving the class a hands on demonstration of their newly learned skill. |
