The Task

You will be working in small groups to learn more about Colonial Period and the persecution of the Puritans and other groups who came to settle in 17th Century New England. You will also explore the strategies needed to determine if a source of information is reliable.  In addition to the group responsibilities, each individual  will assume a role and complete a project that synthesizes the new learning. The projects will be shared with the class.

Responsibilities for All Group Members  

With your group, view web pages and answer questions in a Learning Log and take notes from the web pages based on questions and prompts called "Points to Ponder".  Each team will discuss and research together and keep a combined Learning Log. The notes from the web pages may be done together or individually.  You will be assessed on the critical thinking that goes into your responses and notes.  Individual projects will be assessed on their content and quality.

Roles

                              Reliability Consultant

Your job is to become an expert on determining source reliability and to communicate that information to the class in an attractive and meaningful way. You may either construct a poster that graphically teaches the strategies, or you can design and present the same information as a PowerPoint presentation. Your poster or PowerPoint show will be orally presented to the class.

Star Witness

Your job is to be the star witness in the trial of Hannah Tupper, from The Witch of Blackbird Pond.  You will prepare a written script that recreates a trial scene containing the dialogue of a defense attorney and your testimony as a witness in Hannah's defense. You have the added responsibility of demonstrating that you are indeed a very reliable source to prove Hannah's innocence in her trial for witchcraft. As an option, you may wish to perform your script for the class, or you could also videotape the scene.

                                  Puritan Speech Writer

Your job is to write and deliver a persuasive speech that would convince your friends from England that they should come to the Colonies.  You will want to be as knowledgeable as possible about the Colonial period so that your speech demonstrates that you are a reliable source of information. This will give added strength to your persuasion.  As an option, you may wish to dress for the part when you deliver your speech in class.

Loyalist Pamphlet Distributor

Your job is to create a pamphlet or "circular" that discourages people in England from deciding to emigrate to the Colonies. You will want to be as knowledgeable as possible about the hardships of the long journey to New England by ship, as well as the custom of indentured servitude.  Your pamphlet will also be persuasive in tone and should demonstrate that it is published by a  reliable source. The pamphlet may be generated by hand or by computer. In either case, it should appear to be as authentic as possible to the time period.

Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teacher Notes