So, it's been about a week since our class transported back in time to Colonial Boston (1768). In addition to finding apprenticeships, a place to live, and exploring the new landscape, my students have also done a little bit of learning regarding our new home. We read some content from our books, had a discussion as a whole class, and started to make sense of the events that led up to America declaring their independence.
In order to demonstrate our fledgling knowledge of occupations in colonial America, we began to create a shared Google Presentation. Students were asked to explain what the occupation was (based on their research) and connect with it in some personal way. Here are the directions for that activity. Here is what it looks like so far - much more to do, however:
In order to demonstrate our fledgling knowledge of occupations in colonial America, we began to create a shared Google Presentation. Students were asked to explain what the occupation was (based on their research) and connect with it in some personal way. Here are the directions for that activity. Here is what it looks like so far - much more to do, however:
Then, we created an ePortfolio entry that included a Voki that explained why we think we were transported to Colonial Boston and what we hoped to learn while there. Students also wrote a journal entry describing their first few days in Boston and the challenges that they may have faced while looking for an apprenticeship and living quarters. Here is a good example:
Journal writing from the perspective of an early American colonist is a great formative assessment for so many reasons! When I look at the post above, I get a good initial understanding of this child's writing abilities, her creativity, and her understanding of what we've learned so far. It gives me great insight on misunderstandings I can address in class or directly with her.
My belief is that by having my students personally connect with the people living in 1768 Boston, they will be better able to empathize with them, understand why America needed to declare independence, and remember what they learn for many years to come! I also will be having students spend time reading each others' posts and commenting on them as if each post were like mail correspondence. Seeing it from different perspectives will help make meaning stronger and also offer students the opportunity to see exemplars.
My belief is that by having my students personally connect with the people living in 1768 Boston, they will be better able to empathize with them, understand why America needed to declare independence, and remember what they learn for many years to come! I also will be having students spend time reading each others' posts and commenting on them as if each post were like mail correspondence. Seeing it from different perspectives will help make meaning stronger and also offer students the opportunity to see exemplars.
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