The Revolutionary War has ended and many settlers are coming to America. You and your group will be assuming a huge responsibility for recruiting new colonists to a specific region of America. In just a few weeks a ship from Europe will be docking with colonists eager to start a new life. There are, however, other groups who also want to recruit these new arrivals. Your challenge is to conduct a successful recruitment drive.
The clock has been turned back to the18th Century . A group of colonists have just arrived in America. They have not decided where to settle. You want these colonists to settle in your region of the colonies. You are an indentured servant and have been promised your freedom if you are successful at recruiting these new settlers. You have been told by the local officials in charge that you HAVE to convince them to settle in your region. The new state charter requires you to recruit a certain number of settlers each month.
Prepare a presentation to this group(the class) promoting your colonial region.To help recruit your new settlers you have to come in with the following:
maps showing the different colonies in your regionclothing similar to what people from your region would have worn (dress as they would back then)
a brochure promoting you region
a colonial game(remember, many are bringing their kids)
a sampling of food from the region
In addition you should explain and demonstrate the following types of economic opportunities. Use pictures, tools, models, or other examples to share with the newcomers.
occupations in the towns,(tavern, mill, cooper,ect.)agricultural and (what do you grow?),
fishing and shipbuilding(Are you near the ocean?)
what natural resources do you have?
describe the types of trade from your region
The project will take some time and you must work together as a group. Some of the work will be done at home or outside of the classroom. You will also have an opportunity to work as a group in class. You will be responsible for doing some research on-line, and in the library.
You and your team are responsible for working together to prepare for the presentation. You should plan on using the resources at our school and local libraries. There are many excellent books on all of the colonies. You are also required to utilize at least two web sites listed below to prepare for your project. The links at the bottom can connect you with sites related to colonial times.
Teams of students who successfully recruit new colonists will no longer be indentured servants and can start a new life in America free of any burdens. GOOD LUCK!
American History
- Famous People
- Historical Maps of the United States
- Home Page: American Memory from the Library of Congress
- American History Bookmarks
- The History Hotlist- Classroom Ideas
- The History Channel- Search Engine
- National Women's History Project
- Betsy Ross Homepage
- Food Timeline in History
- American History Links
- You be the Historian
Colonial Times
- Plimouth Plantation
- Walking Tour of Plimouth Plantation
- The World of Early America
- Colonial Games and Toys
- Children in Colonial Times
- A Letter from Thomas Jefferson
- Medicine and Health in Colonial Times
- 18th Century Medicine
American Revolution
- From Revolution to Reconstruction
- The History Place- American Revolution Timeline
- The Birth of a Nation- Award Winning 6th Grade ThinkQuest Project
- American Revolution (a comprehensive collection of links)
- Political Cartoons
The New Nation
- Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids
Related Topics Civil War
- U.S. Civil War Center -- Index of Civil War Information available on the Internet
- The American Civil War Homepage
- Menare Foundation-Underground Railroad Resource
- The Battle Of Gettysburg
- Dear Mr. Lincoln...
Westward Expansion
- America's West - Development & History (be sure to scroll down)
- The Oregon Trail