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Colonial New York: Revolutionary War Living History
Grade 4EnglishSocial Studies14 days
The "Colonial New York: Revolutionary War Living History" project engages 4th-grade students in creating a museum exhibit that depicts the diverse experiences of those living in colonial New York during the Revolutionary War. Through activities such as character sketches, timelines, and news broadcasts, students explore the daily lives, wartime impacts, and societal changes experienced by different groups. The project enhances historical understanding through immersive entry events and portfolio activities, culminating in a detailed exhibit that showcases their learning and creativity. Students critically reflect on essential questions to deepen their insights into this pivotal time in history.Colonial New YorkRevolutionary WarMuseum ExhibitHistorical UnderstandingDaily LivesGeography's RoleCommunication Changes
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Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we create a museum exhibit to depict the diverse experiences of people living in colonial New York during the Revolutionary War, considering their daily lives, the war's impact on families, the role of geography, and changes in communication and community life?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What was daily life like for different groups of people in colonial New York during the Revolutionary War?
- How did the Revolutionary War impact families living in New York State?
- What roles did geography and location play in how people lived and fought during the Revolutionary War in New York?
- How did communication and community change during the Revolutionary War period in New York?
- In what ways did children contribute to family and community life during the Revolutionary War?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will understand the daily lives of different groups of people in colonial New York during the Revolutionary War.
- Students will analyze the impact of the Revolutionary War on families living in New York State.
- Students will investigate the roles that geography and location played in the lifestyles and military strategies during the Revolutionary War in New York.
- Students will identify and describe changes in communication and community dynamics during the Revolutionary War period in New York.
- Students will explore the contributions of children to family and community life during the Revolutionary War.
New York State Social Studies Standards
4.1
Primary
Explain how events during the Revolutionary War impacted New York State and its inhabitants.Reason: Focusing on the experiences of individuals living in New York during this historical period meets this standard by addressing the direct impact of the Revolutionary War on local populations.
4.H.3
Primary
Understand how cooperation and conflict among people influence the division and control of resources, such as during the Revolutionary War.Reason: The project explores the conflict and cooperation among people during the Revolutionary War, impacting resource allocation and control.
Common Core Standards
4.RI.9
Primary
Integrate information from two texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.Reason: The project involves integrating information from various historical texts to develop a comprehensive understanding of colonial life and its challenges.
4.W.2
Primary
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.Reason: Students will create a museum exhibit, which involves writing explanatory texts to depict historical facts and narratives.
4.SL.4
Secondary
Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.Reason: Students will need to present their museum exhibit findings, requiring them to recount historical stories clearly and descriptively.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsColonial Escape Room Challenge
An immersive escape room set in a colonial NYS homestead during the revolutionary war. Students solve clues about colonial life to 'escape', each clue tied to daily activities such as farming, schooling, and trade, encouraging them to draw parallels to their current lifestyle.Message in a Bottle Discovery
On a class field trip to a local historical site, students discover a 'message in a bottle' from a child their age from the colonial period. This triggers an investigation into the differences and similarities between the student's current lives and those of their colonial counterparts.📚
Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Activity 1
Colonial Character Portrait
In this activity, students will create a detailed character sketch of a fictional person living in colonial New York during the Revolutionary War. They will explore aspects such as occupation, family life, and challenges faced during this period.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Choose a character type (e.g., farmer, merchant, soldier, or child) from colonial New York.
2. Research the chosen character's daily life, using historical texts and resources provided in class.
3. Write a descriptive paragraph detailing your character's day-to-day activities and challenges during the Revolutionary War.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed character sketch that includes a descriptive paragraph about the character's daily life and challenges.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with 4.1 (Explain how events during the Revolutionary War impacted New York State and its inhabitants).Activity 2
Timeline of Change
Students will develop a timeline highlighting significant events and changes in New York during the Revolutionary War, focusing on the impact on daily life and community dynamics.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Research significant events during the Revolutionary War that affected New York and its inhabitants.
2. Create a chronological timeline of these events, noting how each event impacted daily life and community structures.
3. Include descriptions and visuals to illustrate each event's impact.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA visual timeline illustrating significant events and changes in New York during the Revolutionary War.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with 4.H.3 (Understand how cooperation and conflict among people influence the division and control of resources).Activity 3
Comparative Life Diaries
Students will write diary entries from the perspective of a colonial child, comparing and contrasting their life with modern-day experiences.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Read texts about daily life for children in colonial New York and note differences and similarities with today's lifestyle.
2. Write a series of diary entries from the perspective of a colonial child describing daily activities, feelings, and observations.
3. Include reflections on how life differs for modern-day students.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA series of diary entries that highlight the differences and similarities between colonial and modern-day life.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with 4.RI.9 (Integrate information from two texts on the same topic).Activity 4
Colonial News Broadcast
This activity involves creating and presenting a news broadcast covering a major event from the Revolutionary War, providing historical context and perspectives.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Research a major event during the Revolutionary War in New York that had a significant impact on the local population.
2. Write a script for a news broadcast, incorporating historical facts and perspectives from different groups.
3. Rehearse and present the broadcast to the class, simulating a historical news report.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA recorded or live news broadcast script that covers a major Revolutionary War event and its impacts.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with 4.SL.4 (Report on a topic with appropriate facts and descriptive details).Activity 5
Museum Exhibit Blueprint
In the culminating activity, students will design a blueprint for a museum exhibit that depicts colonial life in New York during the Revolutionary War. This will include displays, artifacts, and informational text.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Review notes and products from previous activities to gather ideas and content for the exhibit.
2. Design a layout for the museum exhibit, planning the placement of displays and artifacts.
3. Write informational texts to accompany each display section, providing context and explanations.
4. Create a comprehensive plan including visuals, texts, and artifact descriptions for the exhibit.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed blueprint for a museum exhibit, showcasing colonial life during the Revolutionary War with planned displays and explanatory texts.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with 4.W.2 (Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly).🏆
Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioColonial New York Museum Exhibit Rubric
Category 1
Historical Accuracy and Understanding
Assessing students' ability to research and accurately present historical facts and understanding of colonial life in New York during the Revolutionary War.Criterion 1
Character Realism
The extent to which the student's character portrayal accurately reflects the daily life and challenges of their chosen character type during the Revolutionary War.
Exemplary
4 PointsCharacter sketch demonstrates extensive research and an insightful and authentic portrayal of daily life, showing deep understanding of historical context and challenges faced.
Proficient
3 PointsCharacter sketch is well-researched and presents a clear and realistic portrayal of colonial daily life, capturing essential elements of the period.
Developing
2 PointsCharacter sketch provides a basic portrayal of colonial life with some research evident but may lack depth or clarity.
Beginning
1 PointsCharacter sketch shows minimal research and understanding of colonial life, with limited portrayal of historical context and daily challenges.
Criterion 2
Event Impact Analysis
Analyze and describe the impact of significant Revolutionary War events on New York's daily life and communities.
Exemplary
4 PointsTimeline includes detailed, well-researched descriptions, connections, and visuals illustrating profound understanding of events and their impacts.
Proficient
3 PointsTimeline clearly presents key events and their impact on New York's communities, using appropriate descriptions and visuals.
Developing
2 PointsTimeline highlights major events but may lack depth in analysis or visualization of impacts.
Beginning
1 PointsTimeline offers limited or unclear information about events and their impacts on communities.
Category 2
Integration and Expression
The ability to integrate historical information into creative formats and effectively express insights through writing and presentations.Criterion 1
Descriptive Writing and Communication
Effectiveness of conveying historical information through detailed, structured, and clear written communication.
Exemplary
4 PointsWriting is highly descriptive, engaging, and clear, with a strong structure that effectively conveys historical information and insights.
Proficient
3 PointsWriting is clear and structured, effectively conveying historical information and relevance to the topic.
Developing
2 PointsWriting is basic with some structure, but may lack clarity or detail in conveying historical insights.
Beginning
1 PointsWriting lacks clarity and structure, providing minimal historical information or insight.
Criterion 2
Visual and Oral Presentation
Ability to present historical topics engagingly and informatively through visual displays or oral reports.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresentation is thoroughly planned, using visuals or scripts to engage and inform clearly, showing leadership in communication.
Proficient
3 PointsPresentation is well-organized, using visuals or scripts to inform the audience effectively.
Developing
2 PointsPresentation is organized but may lack clarity or depth in engagement and information delivery.
Beginning
1 PointsPresentation lacks organization and depth, providing minimal information or engagement.
Category 3
Creativity and Innovation
Assessing students' creativity in designing and planning innovative historical presentations, such as the museum exhibit.Criterion 1
Exhibit Design Creativity
Assess how creatively students integrate historical facts and narratives into their museum exhibit design.
Exemplary
4 PointsExhibit design demonstrates exceptional creativity, effectively integrating historical facts with innovative presentation methods.
Proficient
3 PointsExhibit design is creative and effectively integrates historical facts in a clear and engaging manner.
Developing
2 PointsExhibit design shows some creativity and basic integration of historical facts, but lacks complete engagement.
Beginning
1 PointsExhibit design shows limited creativity and minimal integration of historical information.
Reflection Prompts
End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learningQuestion 1
How has your understanding of colonial life in New York during the Revolutionary War evolved through this project? Provide specific examples from your work.
Text
Required
Question 2
Which portfolio activity did you find most engaging and why?
Multiple choice
Required
Options
Colonial Character Portrait
Timeline of Change
Comparative Life Diaries
Colonial News Broadcast
Museum Exhibit Blueprint
Question 3
On a scale from 1 to 5, how confident do you feel about explaining the impact of the Revolutionary War on New York and its inhabitants?
Scale
Required
Question 4
Reflect on the essential questions explored in this project. Which question do you think is most important and why?
Text
Required