Jamestown/Plymouth Lab Submission Format
- All individuals are strongly advised to make and keep an individual copy of their lab work!
- It will take time for all labs to be graded
- The lab activities, but especially those on Pocahontas will
be useful for studying for the comprehensive test.
If Working Alone-Do the following!
- Complete each activity {1-3}
- Make 2 copies
- keep one copy for yourself to aid in studying
- Neatly organize and submit 1 copy as requested.
- Include your name in a heading at the top of a cover sheet
* Rubric will be provided by the teacher!
If Working As a Team-Do the following!
- Each team must have all 3 activities completed and
activities 1+3 should be identical to those of your partner.
- Each team member is to keep a complete copy of the
completed Lab as a test study aid
- Each team is to submit 1 master copy to the teacher for
grading and the master copy is to include:
- Both independent/unique Letters from Jamestown on top
{Activity 2}Include name of the writer on top!
- Activity1 and then 3 in order with names of all team members on top
- Rubric will be provided by the teacher!
Name ______period _____
Jamestown ColonyLab-Quest! - Follow-Up Pilgrims/Plymouth Activity
Learning: The learners will assume cooperative roles in team pairings as a means by which to
Obj. promote enriched learning and to also incorporate the use of technology as a tool for
research and learning.
Time permitted: 2 Class periods and ______days overall
Grade Value: 2 quiz grades…1 Quiz grade for team overall effort and 1 individual writing quiz
overall lab value is also worth 5 CW/HW grades
Curriculum Standards: SWBAT
6.2Learn Democratic citizenship through the studies of literature, art, history, philosophy and related fields.
6.4 Acquire historical understanding of social ideas and forces throughout the history of New
Jersey, the United States and the world.
6.5.Acquire historical understanding of varying cultures throughout the history of New Jersey, the
United States and the world.
6.6 Acquire understanding of the economic forces, ideas, and institutions throughout the history of
New Jersey, the United States and the world.
6.7 Acquire geographical understanding by studying the world in spatial terms
6.8 Acquire geographical understanding by studying the environment and society
6.3 Identify and discuss early colonial government in the United States.
6.7 Use maps to identify the routes of explorers and areas settled
This lab has 3 activities associated with it and students are to complete each aspect of the lab to their fullest possible abilities. Please review/refer to the grading rubric as a means to check on what to expect on the grading of this lab quest.
Students are directed to closely follow directions:
- Go to the websites as suggested
- Closely read and answer the questions thoroughly as directed by prompts
- Stay on task and focused on learning
- Work efficiently and make all efforts neat. Typing of answers is preferred but not essential.
- Use the media center computers appropriately and no cutting and pasting of answers
Activity 1: Gathering Historic Background on Jamestown
Go to the websites that are written below and answer the questions to the best of your ability. Context clues exist, prompts are in place to follow and the questions are written in the order that the information is presented.
Divide and conquer this part of the lab. One person can complete questions 1-7 while the other person completes questions 8-15.
After all questions have been thoroughly completed-exchange answers with your partner but both partners are responsible for the correctness of their answers.
Each person is to complete the {asterisked *} reading and boiling down of the story of Capt. John Smith.
Be thorough, be detailed, be correct and use the space provided! Divide and Conquer and Share!
@.php? page_id=6
1. Who did King James grant a charter to and for what purpose? The Virginia, Co. to est. a satellite
English settlement in the Chesapeake Bay region of North America
How many people set sail from London? When did they leave and where were they to go? Their
instructions? 104 settlers left in December 1606 – instructed to settle in Virginia, to find gold and
toseek a water trade route to the “orient”
2. Why do some scholars believe that many of the settlers were ill-suited to settle a wilderness?
Because of the 104 settlers – very many were listed as “Gentleman” not inclined to do manual
labor.
What does more recent archaeological evidence from Jamestown suggest about at least some of the
settlers? Recent archaeological findings suggest that at least some of the “gentleman” did do
manual labor and that the artisans, craftspeople and trades people were working hard laboring
to help the colony survive.
3. When did the explorers of the Virginia Company make landfall? On May 14th of 1607
What specific location? They landed on JamestownIsland, about 60 miles north of the mouth of
the Chesapeake Bay.
Why did they land where they chose to? What were the geographic advantages that this location
offered the settlers? The island had a deep water channel – made it easier to off-load ships, was
“off the beaten path” and hidden from view from the enemy {Spanish} and was in land far
enough to not come under direct cannon fire.
4. What happened to the settlers almost from the start? They were attacked by the native Algonquian
people the Powhatan Tribeand so a fort was built!
5. Describe the fort built by the settlers? It was triangular in shape, had palisade-stockade walls,
consisted of a church, storehouses and living houses for the people. {see cover of lab}
6. What problems took a big toll on the lives of the settlers, from what did they suffer?The settlers had
to endure diseases, hunger, famine, attacks from Algonquians and the fear from attacks.
7. Which person is credited with saving the colony during this time? How? Lord De La Ware –
broughtsupply ships that helped the colony to survive- Capt. John Smith imposed harsh laws for
those guilty of not working for the good of the colony. Ex. No work = no food!
Which Native American is credited with helping to save the colony? Pocahontas
How was a temporary state of peace cemented between the settlers and the native Algonquin people?
Pocahontas married John Rolfe
8. In what year did the Virginians create their first representative body? 1619
It’s name? General Assembly or House of BurgessesWhat was its stated purpose?
To est. equal and uniform government and to provide just laws for the happy guiding and
governing of the people there inhabiting.
9. In what year did the first people from Africa arrive in Jamestown? 1619
What was their social status? Indentured Servantsnot “enslaved” yet
10. What event happened in 1622?Algonquians got fed up and attacked the out-plantations
#’s killed? Over 300 people were killedDue to the mismanagement and horrible results,
How did the king respond? He revoked the charter of the Virginia Co.
And by declaring the colony a Crown Colony or Royal Colony
Now go to and answer the following
11. How many of the total settlers died during the “Starving Time?”154 of 214 – about 9 of every 10
What desperate measures did the Jamestown settlers resort to in order to survive? Graves were
hastily prepared, ate rats, cats, horses, dogs, - 1 person killed his wife and ate of her remains –
was put to death. They ate almost whatever they could even it has been written- digging up Indian
graves and taking nourishment….
12. What only made the situation even worse?The next year, more settlers arrived – 7 more ships
carrying about 400 more people – most of the supplies went down on the 2 ships lost at sea-more
mouths to feed but no more supplies – increasing the hunger/starvation issues.
13. The Algonquin people could from time to time share food with the settlers but even they lacked extra
food during the “Starving Time”…what natural weather condition finally eased that enabled the
settlers of Jamestown to finally begin to successfully cultivate crops? Drought
14. What “cash crop” became widely grown as its appeal spread throughout Europe? Tobacco
The cultivation of this crop is what really enabled the crop to survive and later thrive!
15. When did Jamestown cease to be the capital of Virginia? Why? What became the new capital?
In 1698 the major statehouse burned down and so the capital was moved to Williamsburg.
Now do research into the names and the some of the occupations of the 1607-1608 original settlers-you can get the data @ and record the following:
Count Count Orig. Settler’s1607 Occupations #’s in it 1st Supply Ship 1608Settler’s Occupations #’s in it
councell / 6 / councell / 1preacher / 1 / fueller / 1
gentleman / 48 / gentleman / 28
carpernter / 6 / refiners / 4
blacksmith / 1 / gunner / 1
sailer / 1 / perfumer / 1
barber / 1 / labourers / 21
bricklayer / 2 / tailers / 10
mason / 1 / apothecaries / 2
taylor / 1 / surgeon / 1
Drum / 1 / couper / 1
Labourers / 13 / Tobacco pipe maker / 1
Boyes / 4 / blacksmith / 1
Diverse others / Diverse others
Activity 2: A Letter from Jamestown {Separate Quiz Grade}
Now that you have carried out research into the history of Jamestown, you will have plenty of information to complete this aspect of the lab. Base your writings on what you have found out, be accurate and hit upon the ideas as bulleted below.
Setting: Imagine that it is the year 1623 and you are living in Jamestown, England’s first permanent
settlement in North America. You have not seen your family or friends back in England since
you came to Jamestownas 1 of the earliest settlers in 1607 – 1608. It has been over 13 years
since you last spoke to your family,you have been fearful of writingthem because you
believe they will try to persuade you to return home. But too much time has now passed and you
have now decided that you simply have to write home and let them know first hand how things
have been going.
You are to neatly write or type {12 Font} your letter on a separate piece of paper!
- Include a neat cover to go with it- use tech. to design it
- perhaps Use A decorative Font Type
- insert A Picture or 2 On the Cover-related to Your Topic!
In your letter you are to do the following:
- Write a 4 paragraph letter to a family member
In Paragraph 1 include:
Provide a nice introduction by stating your name See Census
Why you haven’t written sooner?
What have you been doing for a living? Explain your occupation a bit.
In Paragraph 2 include:
Explain what you do in your leisure time? Think – what would people have done?
What you do for fun or what you do to keep busy or helpful to others?
What are some of the things that happen that you look forward?
What do you miss about being home?
In Paragraph 3 include:
Explain the difficulties the colonists have faced in starting their colony.
How have things worked out with the farming?
How have relations been with the Spanish? Describe the Fort/provide a sketch!
How have relations been with your local native neighbors?
Did any particularly bad events do great harm to the colony?
In Last Paragraph provide closure:
Are you optimistic or not about the future?
What are your hopes or what do you see happening in the future?
Will your family ever see you or here from you again? Why/When?
- Remember to end with your name
- Remember that all letters should have a date at the top!
- You may not exceed 1.5 pages in length.
Activity 3 Pocahontas Fiction vs. Fact Website Hunt
In this activity, students will carry out analysis of a chart that provides a breakdown of the Disney version of Pocahontas and the real, true historic facts about what happened in those early years.
Find the chart @ and read, analyze and answer the following:
- Do this activity with your partner or alone
- Context clues are present but you will really need to hunt for the answers.
Good Luck You Disney Debunkers!
1. In Disney Pocahontas appeared to be about how old? A young adult perhaps 17 –21?
In real life, how old was Pocahontas? 11/12 and how old was Capt. Smith? 28
2. In the Disney version, Pocahontas wore a leather mini-dress-1 strap over the shoulder
and had a tattoo – but in real life she was a naked child who may have worn a
dress later.
3. Disney portrayed John Smith as tall, clean shaven, wore armor at timeswith tight pants.
In reality he was short, full bearded, wore puffy pants as was the fashion, and had armor
– the armor was correct.
4. Disney portrayed Ratcliffe as the governor in charge of the colony but the fact is that after
landing secret orders placed Smith, Ratcliffe, Wingfield, Gosnel, Martin and Kendall in charge
______on the governing council and Wingfield was the 1st president.
5. According to Disney, John Smith started exploring as soon as they landed but the fact is that he
was arrested on ship, clapped in irons and held under arrest until 1 month after landing
and not released until a month later.
6. Disney had Pocahontas meet Smith in the wilderness where they fell in love but in reality she
met Capt. John Smith only after he had been captured and under threat of execution – she was daughter
of Chief Powhatan and the tribe would later adopt him.
7. Disney portrays Ratcliffe as a gold seeker who schemes up a war but the reality is that in
October of 1609 he was captured by the Algonquians and suffered a horrible death.
8. In the Disney version the colonists arrived on the Susan Constant but
in fact the colonist arrived on 2 other ships named Godspeed and Discovery
9. Disney had Smith use his compass to show Pocahontas her True Path but actually
he used his compass to impress Opechancanough that the Earth was Round and
contained a diversity of many nations or people with many complexions
10. Disney depicts Pocahontas and John Rolfe rushing off to England in an effort to avert war, in
reality the “peace of Pocahontas” began with her marriage to John Rolfe
and a son named Thomas was born to them in 1615. The Virginia Company then sent them to
England on a Promotional Tour
Go to and look up and record the exploits of the often overlooked explorer Captain John Smith On the back of this paper.}
- Use bullets - 10 or so
- Come up with where he went, when, why, what he found, and other important facts
Captain John Smith:
- England
- Born 1580 Died 1631
- Settled Jamestown 1607 – helped colony survive the “Starving Time”
- Explored environs of Jamestown, James River, RappahannockRiver, PotomacRivers and up the Chesapeake Bay to near present day WashingtonD.C.
- Later in 1614 explored in coastal areas of Massachusetts and Maine
- Returned to England with furs
- Never did return to Virginia
Grading Rubric for Jamestown Lab
As students work in cooperative teams, carry our independent and team oriented research, they are to use the following rubric as a guide for meeting learning and performance expectations. Students should refer to it as necessary in order to understand what they will need to do to score well on this lab quest. Students are advised that they are responsible for insuring that their individual and team efforts/answers are correct and prepared in a timely manner.
** Students are advised that should they find the efforts of their team member be found lacking…
That they should inform the teacher and steps will be taken to improve or end the problem.
Possible Solutions:
- Team can be broken up
- Teams can be changed
- Offending students may be required to work alone!
Grading Criteria: Score: 5 4 3 2 1 0
Activity 1Jamestown Research: Student was observed to be carrying out effective cooperative research with their partner; answers were correct, neatly written and prepared/shared with their partner in a timely manner and identical.Activity 2Jamestown Letter: Each individual student is responsible for writing their own fact - based creative letter home form Jamestown. Guidelines were precisely followed and facts incorporated into the letter were correct. Letter was not found to be wanting for details nor for accuracy. Student included a creative cover to their letter {may use tech} and the letter itself did not exceed 1.5 pages
{This letter is a separate quiz grade for each student-the individual will be rounded to the nearest .5 and entered into the rubric}
Activity 3 Pocahontas Hunt:Students were observed to be working effectively while researching and using technology, team members worked silently, shared answers and worked cooperatively to insure that both team members had the correct answers.
Participation/Focus:Students were observed to be using the school computers
silently, effectively, correctly, while following the directions of the lab. Students were very self-directed, required minimal refocusing or prompting. Students worked effectively as a team, shared answers in a quiet and effective manner.
Depth/Detail/Accuracy:Efforts by the students both as individuals and as team members were observed and checked to be correct, detailed, and highly accurate.
All necessary/required answers were provided, no aspect of the overall lab was found to be lacking in effort, accuracy, and details. {including individual letter}
Comments: Overall Score = _____ x 4 = _____
Name ______period ______