Colonial Life Report

Topic:

Colonial Williamsburg, gentry, middle class, slaves, occupations and trades of colonial times, colonial signs in Williamsburg,

Objective:

The students will write a historical research report following the life of a person who would have lived and worked in Colonial Williamsburg in the 18th Century. They will use historical facts to support their essay. The writing will be told in the first person and will include an introduction, explanation of their livelihood, family life, clothing, interesting facts, and a conclusion. They are to complete the writing process: pre-write and gather information, draft, edit, revise, publish.

Standard: Social Studies Standard 5.4 Parts 4-6

Writing Standard

Materials:

Reference materials on Colonial Williamsburg and colonial times and writing materials

Procedure:

Assign each child a Colonial Personality & Occupation. They are to create a persona (name, age, status in life, etc.) The students gather information using the organizers provided to take notes on the different sections in the report and turn them into paragraphs.

Colonial Personality Occupations

Apothecary, Basketmaker, Blacksmith, Brickmaker, Cabinetmaker, Carpenter, Cooper, Peddler, Milliner, Printer, Saddler, Shoemaker, Silversmith, Tailor, Weaver, Glassmaker, Wheelwright, Gunsmith, Wigmaker

Discussion:

Before the students begin a new section (introduction, explanation of their livelihood, family life, clothing, interesting facts, and conclusion) it is valuable to discuss the topic, give them information, show them pictures from books, or find a video that ties in.

Assessment:

Score using the rubric provided.

Colonial Life Report

We have started our unit that covers life in eighteenth century Colonial America. To bring this study to life, each student will be given a character who lived in the town of Williamsburg, Virginia in the 1700’s. You will be responsible to research and write a historical report on this person.

The report requirements are listed below with a section for you to write your rough draft. The report should be written in the first person… “I”. Each section should be written on a separate page. Pictures should be included on separate pages as well. Pictures should be completed last and will be hand-drawn and colored.

NOTE: **You may choose to start your report with a dedication page. This page would be used to acknowledge or thank any individuals who helped you with the report or the research.

I. IntroductionThis section will introduce your character to the reader.

Include the following: Who are you? Tell your age,

station in life or class, the year, where you live, which

country you came from, and who your family members

include. Elaborate with other interesting information as

desired.

II. LivelihoodWhat do you do for a living? Describe in detail. Example:

If you are a craftsman, explain your craft, tools needed for your job, skills required, what you make, what training or schooling you needed, if anyone works for you, if you work for someone, etc.

  • Draw a picture of yourself making your living

III. Family LifeWhat is a typical family like in Williamsburg from your

class? Include the duties of each person in the family. What are your religious beliefs? What education does the family have or get? What do you do for recreation?

  • Draw a picture from your family life

IV. ClothingDescribe in detail what you wear from head to toe. What type of fabric is it made of? What colors are they? How often do you get new clothes? Where do you get your clothes?

  • Draw, color, and label a picture of your typical clothing.

V. InterestingWrite any other facts about your life or life in

Facts Williamsburg. Example: How are slaves treated, does your family own slaves, what games do children play, what did you do during free time?

VI. ConclusionGive an ending to your report.

In first person, your first paragraph should be a summary of what happened in history during the time period your character lived. Tell about the events leading up to the Revolution. How did these events affect your life or job? What opinions do you have about these events? What do you think will happen next?

VII. ReflectionIn your final paragraph, break out of character and

explain whether you would have liked living in the 18th

century. Would you have wanted to live the life of your

Colonial Williamsburg character? Explain your reasoning.

VIII. Bibliography Use the worksheet to keep track of your resources while your work on your draft. In your final draft, you will include a bibliography page using Instructions will be given in class.

Introduction Notes

Who are you? Tell your age, station in life or class, the year, where you live, which country you came from, and who your family members include.

Character Name: ______(make sure it sounds

like it belonged in the 18th century!)

Age: ______

Social Class: ______(gentry, middle class, indentured servant, slave)

Year: ______

Where You Live: Williamsburg, Virginia

Country of Origin: ______

Religion: ______

Family members (who lives in your house): ______

______

How did you end up in Williamsburg? ______

______

Additional interesting facts about your character (do not include facts that

belong in another section of the report). ______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

Livelihood Notes

Character Name: ______

Occupation: ______

In two to four paragraphs, explain what you do for a living. Describe in detail the occupation of your colonial person under the class your person belongs. Example: If you are a craftsman, explain your craft, tools needed for your job, skills required, what you make, what training or schooling you needed, if anyone works for you, if you work for someone, etc. If you are a slave, a lady, a gentleman, a middle class carpenter, explain in detail what your day is like. In the next paragraph, describe examples of what other people do in the other social classes for a living.

Draw a picture of yourself making your living on a separate paper.

NOTES:

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Livelihood Paragraphs

Paragraph 1:

What’s your name, job, role?

Describe your work using your senses – I feel…, I smell…., I hear…

Use several sentences to describe how you feel about your job/life.

Paragraph(s) 2/3:

What tools do you use?

What are your skills and/or training?

What items do you make (those most desired)?

What raw materials do you use?

Who are your customers & what do they buy?

What are your items useful for?

Who do you work with/for?

MOST IMPORTANTLY: Describe how you do your job./What is your day like?

Final Paragraph:

Describe the role & responsibilities of the master and apprentice or indentured servant or slave relevant to your trade or social status.

OR

Paragraphs 1-4

If you are not a master/apprentice/indentured servant then describe or tell about the other jobs that you see around town and what jobs you need to use in your work or for your daily life.

For example, where would you need to go when you run errands. If you need nails, you might go to the blacksmith, if you want to pick up some lovely gloves, where you go to get that? Or if you needed new shoes?

Family Life Notes

In several paragraphs, answer the following questions: What is a typical family like in Williamsburg from your class? Who is in your family? Include the duties of each person in the family. What are your religious beliefs? What education does the family have or get? What education have you had? What do you do for recreation, fun, free time? Include as much detail as you can.

In your final paragraph of this section, write down examples of what people from other classes family life is like.

**Draw, color, and label a picture of a typical day in your family.

NOTES:

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Family Paragraphs

Paragraph 1 -

*Who is in your family

-names & ages

*What does everyone in your family do? (chores/jobs)

Paragraph 2-

*Free time/Recreation/Fun

Paragraph 3 -

*Religion

*Education

Paragraphs 4 & 5

*Sum up the above information more briefly for the other two classes in a single, final paragraph. (You’ve already described your own class in detail in paragraphs 1-3)

OR

Paragraph 1 – GENTRY

*Chores/jobs

*Free time/Recreation

*Religion

*Education

Paragraph 2 – MIDDLING SORT

*Chores/jobs

*Free time/Recreation

*Religion

*Education

Paragraph 3 – SLAVES

*Chores/jobs

*Free time/Recreation

*Religion

*Education

YOUR CLASS

Add two paragraphs to the class above that is your character’s social status. Describe your family and how these activities apply to you.

**Remember to add in personal information where you can (friends, political beliefs, feelings, opinions, etc.) Talk in the first person about your class.

Clothing Notes

In several paragraphs, describe in detail what you wear from head to toe. Use as much description as you can find. In general men and women dressed a certain way. If you cannot find exactly how your character dressed, you can embellish using historical facts. What type of fabric is it made of? What colors are they? How do you look? How often do you get new clothes? Where do you get your clothes? What colors are they? Do your clothes have anything to do with your occupation?

In your final paragraph, also write down examples of what people from other classes dress like.

**Draw, color, and label a picture of your typical clothing.

NOTES:

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Colonial Clothing Worksheet

Economic Class______Man / Woman (circle one)

Clothing Piece / What is it? / Why is it worn? / Fabric

Economic Class______Man / Woman (circle one)

Clothing Piece / What is it? / Why is it worn? / Fabric
Clothing Paragraphs
Paragraph 1

Describe everything you put on for a regular workday. Name the item. Describe it if it is an unfamiliar piece of clothing to 21st century people. Describe the material it is made from. Write about the items in the order they are put on. Use sequence words such as first, then, next, finally.

Paragraph 2

Describe what a person of the opposite sex (in your same social class) would put on. Use the same guidelines as paragraph one.

Paragraph 3

Describe the items that are different than yours people in other social classes would wear.

OR

Paragraph 1 – Gentry

Describe in detail all the items gentry would wear. Name the items, fabric, style, order it is put on, purpose, etc.

Paragraph 2 – Middling Sort

Repeat information for this paragraph just like paragraph one.

Paragraph 3 – Lower Sort

Repeat information for this paragraph just like paragraph one.

**Add information to the paragraph that includes your social class and elaborate on how the clothing pertains to you. How do you feel putting on these items and the purpose they are for?
Interesting Facts Notes

Write at least ten other facts about your life or your life in the city of Williamsburg. Example: What games do children play? What did you do during free time? What do you do on Sunday? What did people eat? How did they get/make food? What did children drink? Are there any colonial traditions you find funny?

Notes:

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Colonial Life Report Conclusion

Give an ending to your report. This is a first person account of life during 18th century colonial times. Was life difficult? Easy? Fun? Fair? Think of how your colonial character would feel about his/her own life and conclude your essay with personal thoughts.

Use the following lines to write ideas for your conclusion.

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Reflection

Now, as a 21st century student, reflect on your learning over the course of the colonial unit. Would you have liked to live in the 18th century? Would you have wanted to be your colonial character? Explain your reasoning. Use the lines below to draft ideas for your reflection.

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Colonial Essay RubricStudent Name: ______

For a “4” Historical Essay

Development of Historical Ideas

  • Always stays on historical topic, often using a lively narrative style
  • Uses many important historical facts and reasons to support ideas, and makes detailed conclusions.

When appropriate to the question:

  • Shows understanding of historical time period by:

- comparing and contrasting ideas, events, and people

- showing cause/effect between events or how past and present connect

- writing authentically from the context of the time period

- showing detailed understanding of the relationships of historical events

and/or geographical settings

Historical Accuracy

  • Has no historical mistakes

Organization and Communication

  • Is very well organized
  • Has a very clear beginning, middle, and end
  • Makes excellent sense
  • Thoroughly covers all parts of the prompt

For a “3” Historical Essay

Development of Historical Ideas

  • Same as a “4,” but doesn’t use as many historical facts and reasons to support ideas

Historical Accuracy

  • Has minor historical mistakes

Organization and Communication

  • Is well organized
  • Has a very clear beginning, middle, and end
  • Makes good sense
  • Responds to all parts of the prompt

For a “2” Historical Essay

Development of Historical Ideas

  • Usually on topic
  • Few historical facts and reasons

Historical Accuracy

  • Has some historical mistakes

Organization and Communication

  • Is organized
  • Has a beginning, middle, and end
  • Is clear at times
  • Responds to some parts of the prompt

For a “1” Historical Essay

Development of Historical Ideas

  • Topic is not clear, the writer is still brainstorming
  • Lacking historical facts and reasons

Historical Accuracy

  • Many historical mistakes

Organization and Communication

  • Organized in some areas
  • Not a clear beginning, middle, and end
  • Errors in organization make it difficult to follow

Colonial Report Evaluation

Name: ______

The report is graded on historical accuracy, content, organization, completeness, spelling, and grammar.

Introduction____/ 10

Livelihood____/ 15

Family Life____/ 15

Clothing____/ 15

Interesting Facts____/ 10

Conclusion____/ 5

Reflection____/ 5

3 drawings: (5 pts. each)

Family Life __

Livelihood __

Clothing ______/ 15

Bibliography____/ 5

Creativity____/ 5

Total Points____/ 100