Colonial Times

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Home : 2003 : January : 23

Colonial Times
By Anneliese

I do an extensive Colonial times project with my 4th graders. I tell them that it is high time they get a job -a colonial job. I use a form I got from a book on Williiamsburg and sign them up as apprentices. Then I assign
each student a job such as a baker, miller, blacksmith, wool carder, spinner, basketmaker, etc. I have a Dover coloring book on Colonial Occupations and I copy a sheet for each student to use to research the job as there is good information in the paragraph at the bottom of each sheet. Then I have students complete a worksheet that I designed with information about the job including

what they do, the tools and materials they need, what they like about and dislike about their job as well as a piece on interdependence of the trades. This last piece is done as a whole group activity. I write the names of all the trades on the board in a circle and students come to the board and draw a circle from their job to the name of a job they depend on (The spinner depends on the wool carder.). This could be done on poster board using yarn instead if you wished to display it. Students complete the three paragraphs, create a sign from wood or card board and then do an oral presentation with any available props. The kids always love it and it is amazing what they learn from it.