Last updated: September 29, 2021
Lesson Plan
A Few Good Colonists
- Grade Level:
- Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
- Subject:
- Literacy and Language Arts,Social Studies
- Lesson Duration:
- 60 Minutes
- State Standards:
- 4.H.1.2 Explain how and why North Carolina was established.
4.H.1.3 Explain how people, events and developments brought about changes to communities in various regions of North Carolina.
ELA.W.4.2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic - Additional Standards:
- 4.H.1.2 Explain how and why North Carolina was established.
4.H.1.3 Explain how people, events and developments brought about changes to communities in various regions of North Carolina.
ELA.W.4.2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic
Essential Question
Why do countries colonize other lands?
Objective
The student will be able to: a) discern the differences between wants and needs, b) identify abilities of the ideal colonist, c) create a persuasive handbill to recruit colonists, and d) prioritize and justify their answers.
Background
The 16th-century voyages to Roanoke Island, and the associated human losses, were among England’s first steps, and failures, in the European race to increase power and wealth by capitalizing on the unknown resources of the New World in hopes of determining the course of Europe’s political and economic power. While explorers Amadas and Barlowe reported positive impressions of the land and the native people, Ralph Lane’s attempt at building a colony was not so positive. The area was suffering a drought, the English didn’t have adequate supplies, and the friendship between the groups soon soured as the Algonquian began to refuse to supply the colony with food. Queen Elizabeth and Sir Walter Raleigh had a vision of what they wanted from the New World including a base to attack Spanish ships sailing for home laden with gold, natural resources that would help England develop new markets in Europe, and treasures similar to what Spain had found in its colonies in South and Central America. What skills and trades would ensure the colony’s survival long enough to reap the rewards?
Preparation
- Intro: Advertising for Settlers
- Part 1: Needs and Wants Activity
- Part 2: Wanted a Few Good Men, Women, and Children
- Part 3: Create a Handbill
- Part 4: Concluding Questions
- Rubric
http://www.usa-printables.com/Events/Early-American-Life/
http://thelostcolony.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Coloring-Book.pdf
Additional ResourcesWebsites:
https://www.nps.gov/fora
http://thelostcolony.org/bringing-history-to-life/roanoke-voyages/
Materials
Divide students into groups of 3-4. Each group will develop a list of needed and wanted abilities/skills that the colonists should have.
Download Needs and Want activity
Groups will decide on the number of men, women, and children they will need to have and explain how they came up with the numbers. They will choose the top three skills/trades they are looking for.
Download Wanted a Few Good Men, Women, and Children
Each student will design a handbill that includes: where the colony will be located, some information about WHY it will be established, the type of people you want as colonists, the number of men, women, and children, and an illustration to hook volunteers
Each student will design a handbill that includes: where the colony will be located, some information about WHY it will be established, the type of people you want as colonists, the number of men, women, and children, and an illustration to hook volunteers
Download Create a handbill part 2
Each student will design a handbill that includes: where the colony will be located, some information about WHY it will be established, the type of people you want as colonists, the number of men, women, and children, and an illustration to hook volunteers
Download Create a handbill part 3
Procedure
The sequence for this lesson is after students have examined the reasons for English colonization of the New World and Amadas & Barlowe’s 1584 expedition and Ralph Lane’s 1585 attempt to establish a colony on Roanoke Island. For an overview of these voyages and their significance, visit nps.gov/fora.
- (5-10 min) Review vocabulary and explain purpose of handbills in 16th century. Show and discuss what students notice about examples of a handbill. (Intro: Advertising for Settlers)
- (5-10 min) Review the reasons for English colonization in the New World and list on board (Such as: base against the Spanish, spread Christianity, natural resources, expand trade markets, find gold, silver, and precious stones, etc.). This will help students with what England wants from a colony.
- (10-20 min) Review the events that led to the failure of the first colonization attempt by Ralph Lane (see background), and the type of men who were with him (soldiers, gentlemen, treasure hunters, scientist, map maker, artist).
- (5-10 min) Brainstorm as a class a couple basic needs and ideas of valuable traits the next colonists should have. [Examples: (Want) Leader: (Characteristic) Courageous, (Need) Housing: (Trade) Carpenter, (Need) Clothing: (Trade) Tanner]
- (10-15 min) Divide students into groups of 3-4. Each group will develop a list of needed and wanted abilities/skills that the colonists should have. (Part 1: Needs and Wants Activity)
- (5-10 min) Groups will decide on the number of men, women, and children they will need to have and explain how they came up with the numbers. They will choose the top three skills/trades they are looking for. (Part 2: Wanted a Few Good Men, Women, and Children).
- (20-30 min) Each student will design a handbill that includes: where the colony will be located, some information about WHY it will be established, the type of people you want as colonists, the number of men, women, and children, and an illustration to hook volunteers. (Part 3: Create a Handbill)
- (10-15 min) Students can then complete the conclusion questions. (Part 4: Concluding Questions).
- Reach out to park staff to schedule an up-to 30 minute video chat with a ranger. (include scheduling information once we have it)
- Ask students to be prepared with questions they might ask the ranger.
http://thelostcolony.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Coloring-Book.pdf
Vocabulary
handbill, trade, colonist, hardship, natural resource, characteristics, needs/wants, New World,
Assessment Materials
Concluding QuestionsAnswer the questions in complete sentences. Use examples to justify your answers.
Name ______________________________________Part 4: Concluding Questions (Independent)Answer the questions in complete sentences. Use examples to justify your answers.1. Do you think the colony needed women and children? Why or why not?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2. What is one thing Ralph Lane could have done to make his colony successful? Explain how it would have helped. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3. Do you think it would be ok to lie (or withhold full truth) in a handbill so you could have more people to choose from? What might be the consequences of lying or not telling the full truth about the hardships colonists might face? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________4. What do you think would be the most difficult part of migrating to a new land would be? Why would it be hard? What skills could you have that would make it easier? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rubric/Answer Key
Concluding QuestionsName___________________________Grading RubricScale: 4 Exceeding Standards - 3 Meeting Standards - 2 Approaching Standards - 1 Below Standards
| CATEGORY | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| List of Needs and Wants is complete (Part 1: Group) | ||||
| Number of men, women, and children is listed and explained (Part 2: Group) | ||||
| Handbill meets all listed requirements and is neatly created (Part 2: Group) | ||||
| Colonists' 3 traits are listed and clearly justified and explained (Part 3: Independent) |