In 1996 I was trying to plan an American History unit study that I could use for my twins when they reach high school age. I wanted to cover not only American history events, but also art, architecture, music and literature. I believed that these were a "reflection" of what was going on in society at various points of time and that they needed to be included in the study of history.
The military moved us very suddenly that summer and I didn't get a chance to continue writing the unit study. As I write this today, we are studying world history for the next year or so - but I am continuing to think ahead to when we hit American history - and if I should continue to write this unit study. I was using several textbooks as resources and I refer to them often.
You may feel free to use this 4 week unit (it is really a 5 week unit but 4 weeks are shown) in any way you want AS LONG AS YOU DO NOT SELL IT OR PUBLISH IT WITHOUT MY PERMISSION. In other words, you may print it up to share with a friend (or 10 friends) or share it with a homeschool support group - or even use it in a Co-op! However, since I am considering whether or not I have the time to finish writing this (and whether it is worth the time to write it) and may therefore include these items in the unit study (should I publish it) - you may NOT publish it without my permission!
Thanks for visiting this website - have a great day! If you find this unit helpful, please drop me a line and let me know. If you'd be interested in seeing me publish this - let me know that too. I am currently weighing all the activities in my life and trying to decide where God wants me to focus my time and energy!
Peggy Flint
(Please note that the first portion of this outline is an outline for the WHOLE unit (it was to be 5 weeks long - of which 4 weeks are shown) and the second part of the outline is showing how it breaks down into the first 4 weeks...).
Unit One
COLONIES!
I. Mapwork - worth 20 points
Neatly color and label the colonies with colored pencils. Each region should be a different
color and the colonies should be NEATLY labeled out to the side.
2. Timeline Additions: - worth 20 points
Add the date each colony was founded and their founder. Add the following people and events
also:
Anne Hutchinson
Roger Williams
Peter Stuyvesant
Richard Hakluyt
Sir Walter Raleigh
French & Indian War
King William's War
Queen Anne's War
King George's War
3. Definitions/people to know - worth 20 points
Start 2 lists - one of people to know and one of terms to know. Make sure to alphabetize them on
the computer. Additional people to know may be added to this list.
Separtists
Puritans
Mercantilism
Specie
Apprentice
Enumerated Goods
Triangular Trade
Mayflower Compact
Proprietor
Proprietary Colony
Massachusetts Bay Colony
House of Burgesses
Freeman
Council of New England
Township System
Selectmen
Charter
Royal colony
Confederation
Joint-Stock Companies
Import
Export
Indigo
Indentured Servants
Rural
Urban
Salutary Neglect
Congregationalism
4. Essay Question - worth 40 points
Describe the differences between the 3 regions of colonies in education, government, and the
way of life. Use specific examples of how they were different (ie. size of farms, types of crops, etc.).
MINIMUM - 5 paragraphs
Follow one of the 2 formats listed below:
Introduction
Education in all regions
Government in all regions
Way of Life in all regions
Closing
OR
Introduction
New England Region
Middle Region
Southern Region
Closing
5. Reading Assignments: 50 points
Choose one of the following options.
A. Pick at least two of the following books or magazines and share a 5 minute oral report from each on what happened or something that interested you. Be prepared to answer questions. Make sure you also have a visual aid.** Note - this requires 2 oral reports - one per topic.
B. Read at least one of the following books or magazines and write a 4 paragraph (minimum) report with one visual aid.** See the teacher for layout of report.
Making 13 Colonies
Calico Captive
The Last of the Mohicans
Indian Captive
Felicity Books - the whole series!
The Sign of the Beaver
Cobblestone Magazines:
Connecticut History
Colonial Crafts
Deerfield: A Colonial Perspective French and Indian War
Jamestown
Quakers
Salem-East Indies Trade
Whaling
Witchcraft
Williamsburg, People of
6. Pop Quizzes - 50 points
You will have at least 2 pop quizzes during the course of the unit. They will be 1-5 questions in
length and they will probably cover information from your definitions and timeline studies.
7. "Other" work - 50 points
You will be given "other" work at various times - and it will fall under this category. Two items
which definitely come under this category are listed here and one is attached to this syllabus.
1. Chart the differences between the colonies. This chart is attached.
2. Pick any one colony and prepare a 2-5 minute speech to "recruit" volunteers to leave
England and come to this colony. Be prepared to answer questions regarding the government, religion, daily life, crop production, etc. of this colony.
8. Final Exam - 50 points
The final exam will be scheduled on the last day of the unit - and will include multiple choice,
true/false and fill in the blank questions. There will also be one essay question requiring a minimum of
one paragraph for an answer.
Grading Scale - 300 points total:
270-300 - A 240-269 - B 210-239 - C
**Note: A visual aid can be a map, flyer made on the computer, drawing of costume, sign (that looks
like it is from that time period),etc.
Week One
"International Rivalry for Colonies"
"Motives for Colonization"
"Types of Colonies"
1. Mapwork - none
2. Timeline Additions - none
3. Definitions - Mercantilist Theory, Specie, Puritans, Separtists, corporate colonies, proprietary colonies, royal colonies, joint-stock companies, charter
4. Essay Question - No work due on this now - but start thinking about it.
5. Book Summary - Start looking at the books & magazines listed and think about your topic(s).
Literature: None at this time.
Art & Architecture: Start timeline of art & architecture of the time period.
Teacher: We will be covering pp. 15-21 in "United States History for High Schools" - which covers the rivalry between England & Spain, the Spanish Armada, the motives behind English colonization from a politcal standpoint, and the motives of colonization from the standpoint of individuals (due to religious reasons).
Pop Quiz: Explain the mercantilist theory.
Week Two
"New England Colonies"
1. Map Work - Color and label the map of the New England Colonies.
2. Timeline Additions - Add the dates when each of the New England Colonies was established. Also add any other major dates like the Salem Witch Trials.
3. Definitions - Mayflower Compact, Massachusetts Bay Colony, freeman, township system, Council of New England, selectmen, Congregationalism, apprentice, enumerated goods
4. Essay Question - Start thinking about what this region was like so you can make your comparison. It is highly recommended that you make notes on what the education and government were like in these colonies.
5. Book Summary - Continue looking at the books and magazines listed and think about what you wish to do. It is recommended that you make a decision by the end of the week.
"Other" work - Fill in the New England Colonies on the chart you have been given. Make sure your
handwriting is legible.
Literature:
Excerpt from "The Landing At Plymouth" by William Bradford
Excerpt from "Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards
Excerpt from "Meditation Six" by Edward Taylor
Excerpt from "The Bay Psalm Book" - comparison w/ King James Bible
Art & Architecture:
Place prints by Feke, Hesselius, and Smibert in your art timeline.
Pick three prints by John Singleton Copley and mount them in your art timeline.
Pick two prints by Gilbert Stuart and mount them in your art timeline.
Pick 4 examples of New England Architecture and mount them in your architecture timeline. Make
sure that the buildings are labeled.
Teacher: We will be covering major events in the New England Colonies as well as their foundings. The focus of this will be mostly the culture and a broad picture of major events like the Witch Trials, etc.
"Week Three"
"Middle Atlantic & Southern Colonies"
1. Mapwork - Color and label the map of these colonies.
2. Timeline Additions - Add the dates when each colony was founded. Also add each major event.
3. Definitions -
4. Essay Question - Start writing your essay. Have an outline prepared by the end of the week.
5. Book Summary - Select your topic and start working on the outline.
"Other" - Pick a colony for your recruiting speech. Make notes on the good features of that colony that you want to point out. Decide what to use for a visual aid.
Literature:
Excerpt from "A History of the Dividing Line" by Colonel William Byrd
Art & Architecture:
Select and mount 2-3 prints of each of the following artists in your art timeline:
Benjamin West
Gilbert Stuart
Charles Wilson Peale
Mount a minimum of 4 prints of houses from these colonies. Make sure they are labeled and easy to
read.
Teacher: We will be covering major historical events as well as the culture of these colonies.
"Week Four"
"Comparison of the Colonies"
1. Mapwork - none
2. Timeline Additions - none
3. Definitions - none
4. Essay Question - rough draft is due on Friday.
5. Book Summary - this is due next Monday. Have everything ready by Friday afternoon.
Literature: None at this time.
Art & Architecture:
Observe the paintings and pick your favorite artist. Why do you like him the best? Discuss this with your teacher & classmate(s).
Observe the differences between the buildings from the different colonies. Which do you like best? Why?
Write one paragraph explaining your choice and add it to your architecture summary.
Teacher: This week is mainly designed to help the student think through what they've read about and
observed, and prepare their reports.
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