Clash of Cultures Activity

OBJECTIVES 
Students will gain an understanding of the difficulties that the French faced in their daily lives at Fort Caroline by comparing and contrasting how their modern activities and concerns differ from the daily activities and concerns of European settlers in northeast Florida during the 16th century.

AGE 
3rd-5th grade

ENHANCES 
SS.A.1.2.3, SS.A.6.2.5

TIME AND PLACE 
Classroom post-visit activity, 15 minutes

WORKSHEET 
Compare/Contrast Table pdf (54.9 k)
This file must be viewed using Adobe Acrobat Reader. To download this program (free), click here.

BACKGROUND 
(this may be omitted if discussed fully on the class fieldtrip)
Why was la Caroline built in this area? Discuss with the class the many advantages of this location (river for transportation; native plants/fish/shellfish readily available; friendly Indians that provided help). If you did not receive a ranger program the book "Fort Caroline and Its Leader" by Charles E. Bennett provides excellent background information on this.

PROCEDURE 
Students can complete the worksheet individually or gather in small groups and brainstorm.

EVALUATION 
There are many differences that students should have noticed while visiting Fort Caroline for how their lives would have been different if they were living in northeast Florida 450 years ago. Many things were mentioned in the ranger program, but hopefully they can come up with even more on their own. Listed below are some ideas, but students are definitely not limited to this list. They are listed as general concepts because many variations could follow.

1. work vs. school (how did children learn things back then)
2. comfort - no air conditioning or OFF! bug repellent
3. diet - not only working to find food but to prepare it, no microwave meals
4. health - what happens if you get sick?
5. building your own home (or the fort)
6. heavy labor - clearing land, etc.
7. electric, plumbing
8. differences in how news or mail travels