Introduction

Picture this, you have been transformed back in time. You have the opportunity to choose whether or not you would like to live in the 21st century or if you would like to live during the Colonial Time Period.

The Quest

Would you like to be growing up in the Colonial American Time Period?

The Process and Resources

In this WebQuest you will be working together with a group of students in class. Each group will answer the Task or Quest(ion). As a member of the group you will explore Webpages from people all over the world who care about Colonial Life. Because these are real Webpages we're tapping into, not things made just for schools, the reading level might challenge you. Feel free to use the online Webster dictionary or one in your classroom.

You'll begin with everyone in your group getting some background before dividing into roles where people on your team become experts on one part of the topic.

Phase 1 - Background: Something for Everyone

Use the Internet information linked below to answer the basic questions of who? what? where? when? why? and how? Be creative in exploring the information so that you answer these questions as fully and insightfully as you can.

• Colonial America 1
• Colonial America 2
• Colonial 3
• Colonial America 4
• Colonial America 5
• Colonial America 6

Phase 2 - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Individuals or pairs from your larger WebQuest team will explore one of the roles below.

2. Read through the files linked to your group. If you print out the files, underline the passages that you feel are the most important. If you look at the files on the computer, copy sections you feel are important by dragging the mouse across the passage and copying / pasting it into a word processor or other writing software.

3. Note: Remember to write down or copy/paste the URL of the file you take the passage from so you can quickly go back to it if you need to to prove your point.

4. Be prepared to focus what you've learned into one main opinion that answers the Big Quest(ion) or Task based on what you have learned from the links for your role.

responsibilities, jobs#1

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to responsibilities, jobs#1:

1. What did this individual do on a daily basis? What did the other people in the family depend on this person to do?

dress #2

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to dress #2:

1. What undergarments did this person wear? What did they wear to do chores? What did they wear when they went into town? What did they wear to slept? How was their hair?

tools used/technology used#3

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to tools used/technology used#3:

1. What tools did they use everyday to be successful in doing their job?

educational background#4

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to educational background#4:

1. How much schooling did this individual have? What has their highest level of school?

Phase 3 - Debating, Discussing, and Reaching Consensus

You have all learned about a different part of Colonial Life. Now group members come back to the larger WebQuest team with expertise gained by searching from one perspective. You must all now answer the Task / Quest(ion) as a group. Each of you will bring a certain viewpoint to the answer: some of you will agree and others disagree. Use information, pictures, movies, facts, opinions, etc. from the Webpages you explored to convince your teammates that your viewpoint is important and should be part of your team's answer to the Task / Quest(ion). Your WebQuest team should write out an answer that everyone on the team can live with.

Phase 4 - Real World Feedback

You and your teammates have learned a lot by dividing up into different roles. Now's the time to put your learning into a letter you'll send out for real world feedback. Together you will write a letter that contains opinions, information, and perspectives that you've gained. Here's the process:

1. Begin your letter with a statement of which time period you choose to live.

2. Give background information that shows you understand jobs you would have, what clothes you would wear, how much education you will have, and what tools you will use.

STATE THE TASK / QUEST(ION) AND YOUR GROUP'S ANSWER.

3. Each person in your group creat a web showing each of the four elements that goes with the mother, father, daughter, son during the colonial period. Then each person in the group needs to think of what jobs they have as a ten year old in the year 2004, what they wear, what educational opportunities they will have, and what tools will they use on a daily basis. Create a web for the individual you were researching, and create a web for a 21st century ten year old in Kidspiration.

4. Present the web to your classmates.

5. Take a stand by stating which period you choose to live in by writing a letter to your teacher. You will explain to her your position and clearly state that you understand the opportunities that you will have as a ten year old during that time period. You will be graded on clearly stating your position with supporting details. You will also be graded on language usuage.

Your Contact is: the designated contact

Conclusion

So is an elephant smooth, rough, soft, or hard? Well, when you're blindfolded and only *looking* at one part, it's easy to come up with an answer that may not be completely right. It's the same for understanding a topic as broad or complex as Colonial Life: when you only know part of the picture, you only know part of the picture. Now you all know a lot more. Nice work. You should be proud of yourselves! How can you use what you've learned to see beyond the black and white of a topic and into the grayer areas? What other parts of Colonial Life could still be explored? Remember, learning never stops.