COLONIAL TIMES

USA YESTERDAY NEWSPAPER

Project Description: Students working independently or in pairs will create a 2 to 4 page newspaper(roughly modeled on the USA Today newspaper) with text and pictures for eventsthat happened in one of the American colonies sometime during the period 1675 through 1760. Colonial newspapers often circulated as newsletters.

Project Guidelines: Each student must be responsible for at least two pages. That is, two students working together would create a four-page newspaper, with each student responsible for two pages. No newspaper may exceed four pages. The newspaper, should deal with a specific period of time, a day, a week, or a month, within the period 1675-1760.

All newspapers must have the following word-processed components:

  • One back-to-back two-page newspaper per student (4 pages for 2 students);
  • A newspaper masthead/nameplate (title) of “USA Yesterday,” “Colonial Times,” or “Revolutionary Times,” centered at the top of the first page;
  • Below the masthead/nameplate/title, identification of the particular colony, and dateof newspaper publication (in smaller font size than the title);
  • Text of the newspaper in two or three vertical columns; illustrations and advertisements are acceptable and encouraged but not required;
  • Historically accurate and relevant text with respect to time and date, the major events included, and the chosen focus topic;
  • A minimum of four sections per page of the newspaper; and
  • Multiple stories, columns, and primary source analysis with features that reflect the atmosphere in the colonies at the chosen time and address the growing independence of the colonies before the Revolution.

Required features per student to include:

  • Each article must be a minimum of two paragraphs in length;
  • Historical figure spotlight;
  • Primary source analysis (use DATA MATTERS as guideline for analysis);
  • Four sections per page with bylines (By ______)
  • Two advertisements or two announcements, or one of each, may replace one section per student;
  • Avoid leaving blank areas on your pages.

Process Recommended: Select several topics you would like to include in your newspaper from the list of topics. Avoid duplicity of news stories if working with a partner. Draft at least an article, or section, per day to avoid poor time management. Bring work in progress to class daily so I can check your progress.

  • Select a colony, timeframe, and related topics that go together. Topics and text must connect in time, place, and theme. Peruse the textbook, interactive note book, and websites for information for your newspaper.
  • Use sources including the textbook and websites that contain information you may paraphrase into short articles for your newspaper.
  • Write short, by-lined feature articles—at least two paragraphs per article (a minimum of three such feature articles is required for each student).
  • 4-6 bullets of factual information for an idea may become a whole newspaper article.
  • Each newspaper must have variety, such as eyewitness accounts, economic activities,anniversaries of past major events, document analysis, illustrations, advertisements and announcements. You may include recipes, riddles, joke corner, medical updatesor poetry for your readers’ pleasure.

Topics:

Native American interaction with colonistsColonial government activity

Economic activities and mercantilismLife in New England

English restrictions on the colonistsLife in the Southern colonies/states Increasing unrest with England Inventions

Games and leisureImportant people

Advertisements (e.g., “Come to …”)Seeds of Democracy

Salutary Neglect from EnglandImmigration to Northern Colonies/States

EducationThe fur trade

Slavery (Woolman, Wheatley)Conflict between the French and the English

Arts and artistsPublications and literature

Religious diversity and freedom Leisler’s Rebellion (1689)

Bacon’s Rebellion, 1676 King Philip’s War (1675-76)

Anniversaries of prior significant historical events The Charter Oak 1687

Pennsylvania Frame of Government, 1682 Royal Charter for Georgia, 1732

Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges, 1701 Delaware Assembly meets, 1703

Fundamental Rights of West New Jersey, 1677 Ohio Company royal charter, 1749

Due Date: Tuesday, October 24.

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