Life in Colonial Times

What do we know about the colonists of the 1700s?

We know…

To me, RESPONSIBLE means…

Colonists were RESPONSIBLE for…

A Colonist’s Responsibility

If you were a colonist, these are some jobs you

might do. Teachers Barbers Printers Blacksmiths Shipbuilders Tanners

Colonists at Work

Teachers taught school and also helped dig graves.

Shipbuilders were good carpenters who built ships .

Blacksmiths made things out of iron, like horseshoes.

Tanners turned animal skin into leather.

Printers printed newspapers, book, and pamphlets.

Barbers cut hair and worked as dentists and doctors.

Your Responsibility…

What would it be like to have been born at a different time? Or as another person?

Our class is going to travel back to Colonial Days.

You will each choose to become either a man, a woman, or a child from colonial times.

You will chooses a job or trade.

You will bring your character to life as you pretend to live as a colonial.

Your colonial life will be recorded and documented in a three day journal, which you will present at the end of this project.

You will write 3 journal entries (2 paragraph minimum – 5 to 6 sentences each).

These journal entries should tell about your trade and describe your family, shelter, furnishings, clothing, education, food, chores, and/or recreation common to your colonial character.

The journal entries can be consecutive daily entries or they can be selected from several weeks or months.

Try to express the thoughts and feelings of your character as he/she goes about daily life in the colony. Some ideas to include are… daily schedule/routines work details free time activities

And your journal MUST be authentic to the time period – BE CREATIVE!

Your Colonial Journal

Your Journal Format

Cover Page Picture Your Colonial Name

Page 1: Introduction Your Colonial Name Your Family Background Your Occupation Your Age Your Educational

Background Your Colony (One of the

13 colonies)

Journal Entry #1 Your voyage to the colony.

Accommodations Food Weather Your Feelings

Journal Entry #2 Your arrival to the colony

Land Resources People Your Feelings

Journal Entry #3 Your Daily Routines

Your Family Food Clothing Your Job/Trade Free Time Activities

First, choose your colonial character.

Man, Woman, or Child? Teacher, Barber, Printer, Shipbuilder, Blacksmith, or Tanner?

Second, research your character using the websites below:

Aunt Abigail's CookbookColonial ChildrenThe History of the 13 Original ColoniesEveryday Life in Colonial AmericaGreat Colonial Game BookPeople of WilliamsburgReligion in Early VirginiaTrades of Colonial Times

Third, brainstorm your ideas and fill in your Colonial Character graphic organizer.

Steps to take Today…