LodeStar Unit**English Colonization

 

This Unit Covers

This 4MAT unit has been selected as a 4MAT LodeStar Unit, 4MAT units we honor and proudly show to the world representing the best from About Learning.

Lodestar: A bright, easily found star that is used to find direction.
Anything that acts as a guide, inspiration or example to follow.

The development of the English colonies from 1607-1763.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to describe the differences between the colonial regions.
Students will be able to explain the "city on a hill" perspective on American identity.
Students will be able to articulate what was "missing" in 1763 that prevented Americans from being a united nation.

Teacher Notes

Be sure to connect this unit to the previous unit on perspective/identity. It will be important for students to see the initial ingredients baked into the country by the English.

Time Frame

Total time : 434 minutes

 

Concept :

Creation

Content :

The development of the 13 English colonies in America.

Bridge :

Parts to the whole.

Essential Question :

What does it take to create a unified nation?

Outcomes :

Recipe for a united nation.

1. Connect: Connecting to the Concept Experientially

 Divide the class into groups of 3-4.  Give each group a bag of assorted Tinker Toys, Legos, K/Nex blocks, etc.

Each group must create a working invention from the parts.

They must name the invention; describe its function; demonstrate it for the class.

2. Attend: Attending to the Connection

 Each group analyzes the process.

What “worked” in the invention process?

What hindered the process?

If you could have had one more thing to improve your creation what would it have been?

3. Image: Creating a Mental Picture

 If you were given the opportunity to create a country, what “ingredients” would you need in order for that country to be successful in 2010?

 

4. Inform: Receiving Facts & Knowledge

 1.  Trace the settlement of each of the English colonies.

2.  What were the events in England/Europe that affected the development of the American colonies?

3.  What were the characteristics of each colony/region settled?

4.  Was America a unified nation in 1763?  Why or why not?

5.  How did the “city on a hill” metaphor get planted and grow through American history?  Is it a workable metaphor? (Use the attached documents to chart this idea).

5. Practice: Developing Skills

 1.  Students should create a chart that shows:  Date of founding; important founders; political development; economic development; unique feature

2.  Students will fill out a map of the colonies as they read about them.

3.  Study guides for chapter sections.

 

 

6. Extend: Extending Learning to the Outside World

 Create the “recipe” for America to be a successful nation based on what you have read in this unit.  What is the missing ingredient in 1754?

You can have the students do this by accomplishing the following:

a.  Based on what we have studied, what is the recipe of America in 1754 (that’s where this chapter ends.)  Be sure to indicate amounts of each ingredient.
b.  What is the missing ingredient?  We don’t celebrate the birth of America in 1754.  What do you think is the missing ingredient?  What needs to be added to create a unified new nation?

7. Refine: Refining the Extension

  Students should bring in their “recipe cards” along with what they are thinking might be the missing ingredient.

 

8. Perform: Creative Manifestation of Material Learned

 Discuss student recipes.

What is missing?--What voice?
Bring in food.

 

1. Level of Engagement, Fascination :

Evaluation of building project

Can students articulate clear successes in their building?
Can students determine the weakness in their process? 

2. Seeing the Big Picture :

Completeness of recipe

Has student been able to identify at least 3 "ingredients" for a successful nation?
 

3. Success with Acquiring Knowledge :

Quiz/Test

 
Can students complete a map of the colonies?
Can student identify the key people in the development of the colonies?
Are the students able to differentiate between the identity of the different colonial regions?
Can the students explain the idea of "city on a hill" and how that is an important piece of America's identity?

4. Success with Acquiring Skills :

Charts, maps, documents

 Accuracy of the homework answers and maps.

5. Performance, Creative Use of Material Learned :

Missing ingredient?

 Can the students identify the missing ingredient in American nationhood in 1763?

Author : Melinda Zanetich