Create Interactive Maps of the 13 Colonies

Created byNicole Lockhart

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Create Interactive Maps of the 13 Colonies

Grade 7HistoryEnglish4 days

This project engages 7th-grade students in designing interactive maps of the 13 Colonies to understand the interplay between geography and historical developments. Through a series of structured activities, including artifact analysis and digital map creation, students explore how geographic features shaped settlement patterns, economic activities, and cultural developments in these regions. The project emphasizes the use of visual and digital tools to convey complex historical information, aligning with key educational standards for integrating multimedia and historical analysis.

Interactive Maps13 ColoniesGeographic FeaturesHistorical AnalysisDigital ToolsCultural Development

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can the design of interactive maps illuminate the influence of geographic features on the settlement, economic activities, and cultural developments in the 13 Colonies, while effectively communicating historical nuances?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

What geographic features were present in the 13 Colonies, and how did they influence settlement patterns?
How did the geographic layout and natural resources of the 13 Colonies impact the economic activities in each region?
What role did geographic features play in the historical events that occurred in the 13 Colonies?
How can interactive maps effectively communicate historical and geographic information about the 13 Colonies?
In what ways did the geography of the 13 Colonies contribute to cultural and social developments in these regions?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Students will understand how geographic features influenced settlement patterns in the 13 Colonies.
Students will learn to analyze the impact of the geographic layout and natural resources on the economic activities in each colony.
Students will explore the role of geographic features in historical events within the 13 Colonies.
Students will develop skills in creating interactive maps that effectively communicate historical and geographic information.
Students will assess how the geography of the colonies contributed to cultural and social developments.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7

Primary

Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.Reason: Students will design interactive maps that integrate visual information to communicate the historical and geographic context of the 13 Colonies.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.7

Secondary

Compare and contrast a text to an audio, video, or multimedia version of the text, analyzing each medium’s portrayal of the subject (e.g., how the delivery of a speech affects the impact of the words).Reason: The project involves comparing textual information about the 13 Colonies with the multimedia representations via interactive maps.

C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards

D2.Geo.3.6-8

Primary

Use appropriate geographic tools to analyze, explain, and solve geographic problems.Reason: Students will utilize geographic tools to design and analyze maps, exploring geographic problems affecting the 13 Colonies.

D2.His.1.6-8

Primary

Analyze connections among events and developments in broader historical contexts.Reason: This project requires students to make connections between geographic features and historical events in the 13 Colonies.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Mystery Artifact Discovery

Students are presented with a mysterious artifact purportedly from one of the 13 Colonies, without any initial context or explanations. Their task is to hypothesize its origin and use, sparking curiosity about the daily life and geography of the that colony.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Artifact Hypothesis Challenge

Students hypothesize about the origin and use of a mysterious artifact from one of the 13 Colonies, which ignites their curiosity about the colony's culture and geography. This activity lays the groundwork for researching and understanding the historical context of the colonies.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Examine the mysterious artifact presented by the teacher, taking detailed notes on its appearance and any identifiable features.

2. Collaborate with classmates to discuss and list potential hypotheses about the artifact's origin and use within the context of one of the 13 Colonies.

3. Conduct preliminary research to gather evidence that supports or refutes your hypotheses, considering the daily life and geographic features of the colony in question.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written hypothesis and evidence portfolio proposing the artifact's origin and use.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with D2.His.1.6-8 by requiring students to connect events and developments in the historical context of the 13 Colonies.

Activity 2

Geography Detective: Colony Exploration Guide

In this activity, students delve into the geographic features of a selected colony, setting the foundation for their later map-making task. They will explore how these features influenced settlement patterns and economic activities.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Select a specific colony to investigate, considering its unique geographic features.

2. Research and compile data on significant geographic features that influenced settlement and development, such as rivers, mountains, and coastlines.

3. Analyze how these features affected economic activities and settlement patterns, creating detailed notes and a summary report.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive report detailing the geographic features and their influence on the settlement and development of the selected colony.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers standards CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7 and D2.Geo.3.6-8 by integrating visual information with textual data and using geographic tools.

Activity 3

Interactive Map Pre-design Sketch

Before creating an interactive map, students sketch a preliminary design that visualizes the geographic and historical data of their selected colony. This step helps in organizing information and visual elements for the final digital map.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Review the geographic data collected in the previous activity and brainstorm visual elements that effectively convey this information.

2. Create a rough sketch of the map, indicating the placement of key geographic features, historical sites, and any other relevant information.

3. Share sketches with peers to receive feedback and refine ideas.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed sketch plan of an interactive map featuring the 13 Colonies' geographic and historical elements.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7 by planning the integration of visual elements into the map design.

Activity 4

Interactive Colony Map Creation

Students bring their sketches to life by creating digital interactive maps detailing the geographic features and historical context of the 13 Colonies. These maps will allow users to explore and interact with the historic and geographic elements creatively.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Use digital tools and software to transform your sketch into an interactive digital map.

2. Incorporate multimedia elements such as audio, video, or pop-up information boxes to enhance the map's educational value.

3. Ensure the map effectively communicates the geographic features and historical nuances of the 13 Colonies, allowing for user interaction.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn interactive digital map showcasing the settlement patterns, economic activities, and cultural developments influenced by geographic features of the 13 Colonies.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMeets CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7 and D2.Geo.3.6-8 by utilizing geographic tools and integrating multimedia to convey historical and geographic contexts.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Interactive Colony Map and Artifact Development Rubric

Category 1

Historical and Geographic Analysis

This category assesses the understanding and analysis of historical and geographic information regarding the 13 Colonies.

Criterion 1

Understanding of Geographic Features

Evaluation of the student's ability to identify and explain significant geographic features of the 13 Colonies and how these influenced settlement and development.

Exemplary

4 Points

Thoroughly explains geographic features with insightful connections to settlement and development patterns, demonstrating sophistication in understanding.

Proficient

3 Points

Clearly identifies and explains most geographic features with logical connections to settlement and development.

Developing

2 Points

Identifies some geographic features with basic connections to settlement and development, but with inconsistencies.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to identify geographic features and does not clearly connect them to settlement or development patterns.

Criterion 2

Historical Context Integration

Assessment of how well the student connects geographic features with historical events and cultural developments in the 13 Colonies.

Exemplary

4 Points

Skillfully integrates geographic and historical contexts with comprehensive insights into cultural developments and historical events.

Proficient

3 Points

Effectively connects geographic features with historical events, providing clear insights into their interactions.

Developing

2 Points

Makes some connections between geographic features and historical events, but lacks depth in analysis.

Beginning

1 Points

Minimal connection between geographic features and historical events, with little analytical depth.

Category 2

Critical Thinking and Creativity

This domain evaluates the application of critical thinking and creative abilities in developing hypotheses and designing interactive elements.

Criterion 1

Artifact Hypothesis Development

Assesses the ability to develop well-supported hypotheses regarding the use and origin of artifacts from the 13 Colonies.

Exemplary

4 Points

Develops a highly convincing hypothesis with robust supporting evidence and creative insights into the artifact’s utility.

Proficient

3 Points

Formulates a plausible hypothesis with adequate supporting evidence and some creative insights.

Developing

2 Points

Presents a basic hypothesis with some supporting evidence but lacks creativity and depth in explanation.

Beginning

1 Points

Provides a rudimentary hypothesis lacking convincing evidence or creative insights.

Criterion 2

Interactive Design Creativity

Assess the creativity and effectiveness of the map design in integrating multimodal elements to convey information.

Exemplary

4 Points

Creates an exceptionally engaging map with innovative use of multimodal elements that enhance understanding.

Proficient

3 Points

Designs a visually appealing map with appropriate multimodal elements that support understanding.

Developing

2 Points

Produces a basic map with some multimodal elements, but lacks full integration or creativity.

Beginning

1 Points

Presents a simplistic map with limited or ineffective use of multimodal elements.

Category 3

Technical Skill and Execution

Evaluation of the effective use of digital tools, accuracy, and quality of final products.

Criterion 1

Digital Tool Proficiency

Focuses on the student's ability to proficiently use digital tools to create interactive maps.

Exemplary

4 Points

Demonstrates advanced proficiency in digital tools, resulting in a seamless and professional-quality interactive map.

Proficient

3 Points

Shows competent use of digital tools to create an effective and functional interactive map.

Developing

2 Points

Uses digital tools with basic proficiency, resulting in a functional but flawed interactive map.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles with digital tool use, leading to an incomplete or non-functional interactive map.

Category 4

Collaboration and Feedback Incorporation

Assesses the student's ability to collaborate with peers and integrate feedback into their projects.

Criterion 1

Peer Collaboration

Evaluates the effectiveness of the student's collaboration with peers during project development.

Exemplary

4 Points

Exhibits leadership and excellent collaboration skills, actively contributing ideas and enhancing group dynamics.

Proficient

3 Points

Participates effectively in group discussions, contributing to the development of ideas and projects.

Developing

2 Points

Participates in group activities but with limited contributions and minimal influence on group outcomes.

Beginning

1 Points

Rarely participates in group activities, relying heavily on others' contributions.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

Reflect on how your understanding of the geographic features of the 13 Colonies has evolved through this project.

Text

Required

Question 2

How effectively do you feel your interactive map communicates the historical and geographic information of the selected colony?

Scale

Required

Question 3

Which aspect of the interactive map creation did you find most challenging, and how did you overcome this challenge?

Text

Required

Question 4

What did you learn about the connections between geographic features and cultural developments in the 13 Colonies through this project?

Text

Required

Question 5

In what ways has this project changed your approach to integrating visual information with text in presenting historical data?

Multiple choice

Optional

Options

I am more confident in using visuals.

I understand the importance of integrating visuals with text.

My ability to analyze historical data using visuals has improved.

My approach hasn't changed significantly.