Field Trips

Where the State Began

Grade Level:
Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Subject:
Social Studies
State Standards:
History Standard Three 4-5a; Geography Standard Three 4-5a; Geography Standard One 4-5a

Price: FREE
Length: 60 Minutes
Location: New Castle, Delaware

An overview of Delaware Native Americans, European colonization, colonial settlements and hands-on exploration through art, objects, artifacts, historical documents and maps. There is an emphasis on the significance of the court house in early government and the establishment of the state boundaries. 

This program can be adjusted to match which standard you are trying to meet. Below is a list of all the standards along with the associated Essential Question (EQ). 

  • Geography Standard One 4-5a: Students will demonstrate development of mental maps of Delaware and of the United States which include the relative location and characteristics of major physical features, political divisions and human settlements.
    • Essential Question: Why does “where” matter?
    • Essential Question: To what extent are human settlements connected?
  • Geography Standard Three 4-5a: Students will understand the reasons for the locations of human activities and settlements and the routes connecting them in Delaware and the United States.
    • Essential Question: Why is a place founded where it is? Why might those reasons change?
  • History Standard Three 4-5a: Students will explain why historical accounts of the same events sometimes differ and will relate these explanations to the evidence presented or the point-of-view of the author.
  • Essential Question: How could there be different explanations of the same event in history?

About the New Castle Court House Museum: 

Visitors to the New Castle Court House Museum learn about Delaware’s colonial and state history, early European settlements, development of the systems of law and government, and the Delaware Underground Railroad right where those events happened. Group tours of 10 or more visitors must make reservation for museum tours in advance by emailing the site supervisor or calling 302-323-4453. There are no admission fees for tours.

Tags: delaware colonial america native american colonization first state national historical park

Last updated: September 1, 2021