Colonial Day: An Elementary Immersion Experience

Burgess ElementaryMyrtle Beach, SC

ppetty@horrycountyschools.netagordon@horrycountyschools.net

Why do we do this?

History comes alive with these standards-based immersion activities. Students enjoy a

day of authentic colonial experiences that connect them to their past.

SC Social Studies Standard 4-2.4Compare the European

settlements in North America in terms of their economic activities, religious emphasis, government, and lifestyles.

Assessment guidelines:Appropriate assessments would require students to compare the European settlements in North Americato each other. Assessments should also require students to interpret ways that these settlements are alikeand different in their economic activities, religious emphasis, government and lifestyles.

The colonies of New Spain, New France and the English colonies in New England, the Middle colonies and the Southern colonies developed their economies, religious emphasis, governments and life styles as a result of the people who migrated to these lands and the geographic region that they settled. All of the migrants to the New World brought the culture of their mother countries with them.

How do we do this?Through a day-long

event, students rotate to six stations to

participate in activities that a child would

have experienced in Colonial times. Each classroom, plus the school museum, is used as a station.

Students and teachers are asked to dress as

authentically as possible.

What does it look like, logistically, for teachers?

Each teacher created an activity and

conducted the same activity as each class

rotated to her. Sessions lasted 45 minutes each. The

curriculum coach and GT teacher also

combined to conduct a session, and there

were parent volunteers in each

classroom.

Rotations:7:50-8:35 8:38-9:23 9:26-10:11 10:14-11:00 /Recess/ 11:30-12:15 /Lunch/ 12:45-1:30

What types of activities did we include?

•Colonial Games•Silversmithing•Quill Pen Writing•Making Whirligigs•Making Cornhusk Dolls•Storytelling and Making Silhouettes

What other activities could be included?•Making Butter•Cloth Hoop Sewing•Candle-Making•Cloth Dyeing With Indigo•Making Your Own Lunch (Vegetable Stew, Baked Apples, Johnny Cakes)

• http://www.pencaderheritage.org/main/teachtool/games.pdf• http://eev.liu.edu/kk/colonial/resources.htm• http://www.kidactivities.net/post/Cononial-Theme-Ideas-for-Kids.a

spx• http://www.historylives.com/toysandgames.htm• http://library.thinkquest.org/J002611F/• http://www.valdosta.edu/~avwillia/intro.html

Resources:There are many! Here are just a few to get you

started:

Now You Try It!

•Silversmithing•Whirligigs•Games

Choose a station: