Letters to Liberty: A Colonial Pen Pal Project
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How did the economic impact of British taxation and trade policies on the American colonies lead to a conflict over the very definition of representative government and what actions did the colonists take in response?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How did taxation and trade policies impact the economic lives of American colonists in the 1760s and 1770s?
- In what ways did British policies violate the colonists’ expectations of representative government?
- What were the colonists' expectations of representative government?
- How did colonists respond to taxation and trade policies?
- What were the positive and negative effects of taxation?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to explain the economic impact of British taxation and trade policies on American colonists.
- Students will be able to analyze how British policies violated colonists’ expectations of representative government.
- Students will be able to evaluate the positive and negative effects of taxation on the colonies.
- Students will be able to describe the actions taken by colonists in response to British policies.
Alabama Course of Study
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsThe King's Twitter
A series of provocative 'tweets' from King George III are displayed, outlining his policies and rationale, prompting students to respond from their assigned colonial perspectives.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Colonial Chronicle: Economic Impact Analysis
Students research and analyze the economic impact of British taxation and trade policies on the American colonies during the 1760s and 1770s. They will focus on specific acts and policies, such as the Stamp Act, the Townshend Acts, and the Tea Act, to understand their effects on colonial livelihoods.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed report outlining the economic impact of the selected British policy, including its intended purpose, actual effects, and consequences for various groups within the colonies. The report should include specific examples and evidence from research.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsACOS 7c: Describe the positive and negative effects of taxation and trade on the economic livelihood of American colonies in the 1760s and 1770s.Voices of the Colonists: Perspectives on Representation
Students explore and articulate the colonists' expectations of representative government and how British policies violated these expectations. They will examine concepts such as 'No taxation without representation' and analyze primary source documents to understand the colonists' grievances.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA collection of journal entries from a colonist's perspective, detailing their expectations of representative government and how British policies violated those expectations. Each entry should focus on a specific policy or event and provide a clear and compelling argument.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsACOS 7c: Explain how this issue violated colonists’ expectations of representative government.Colonial Resistance: Actions and Reactions
Students investigate and describe the various actions taken by colonists in response to British taxation and trade policies. This includes protests, boycotts, petitions, and other forms of resistance. They will analyze the effectiveness of these actions and their impact on British policies and colonial unity.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation (e.g., slideshow, video, or live presentation) that describes the causes, events, and consequences of a specific act of colonial resistance. The presentation should include visual aids, primary source excerpts, and an evaluation of the effectiveness of the resistance.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsACOS 7c: Describe the positive and negative effects of taxation and trade on the economic livelihood of American colonies in the 1760s and 1770s and explain how this issue violated colonists’ expectations of representative government.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioColonial America Portfolio Rubric
Economic Impact Analysis
Assessment of the student's ability to analyze the economic effects of British policies on the American colonies.Policy Identification & Research
Accuracy and depth of research on selected British taxation/trade policies.
Exemplary
4 PointsIdentifies and thoroughly researches a complex British policy, providing nuanced historical context and demonstrating comprehensive understanding of primary and secondary sources.
Proficient
3 PointsIdentifies and researches a British policy, providing accurate historical context and demonstrating understanding of primary and secondary sources.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies a British policy but research is superficial, lacking depth or historical context. Demonstrates a basic understanding of sources.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify or research a British policy. Research is minimal and lacks historical context.
Economic Effects
Analysis of intended purpose, actual effects, and consequences of policies on colonial groups.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides an insightful and comprehensive analysis of the policy's intended purpose, its actual effects, and the nuanced consequences for various colonial groups, supported by compelling evidence.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a clear analysis of the policy's intended purpose, its actual effects, and the consequences for various colonial groups, supported by relevant evidence.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic analysis of the policy's intended purpose and its effects, but struggles to connect consequences to specific colonial groups or provide supporting evidence.
Beginning
1 PointsShows limited understanding of the policy's intended purpose, its effects, or the consequences for colonial groups. Lacks supporting evidence.
Perspectives on Representation
Evaluation of student's articulation of colonial expectations of representative government and perceived violations.Understanding of Representative Government
Depth of understanding of the principles and values associated with representative government.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates a sophisticated understanding of representative government, articulating key principles and values with clarity and historical accuracy, and connecting them to colonial grievances with insight.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates a thorough understanding of representative government, articulating key principles and values with accuracy and connecting them to colonial grievances.
Developing
2 PointsShows an emerging understanding of representative government, but struggles to fully articulate key principles or connect them to specific colonial grievances.
Beginning
1 PointsShows a limited understanding of representative government and struggles to articulate its key principles or connect them to colonial grievances.
Colonial Voice
Clarity and persuasiveness of journal entries expressing colonial views on British policies.
Exemplary
4 PointsCrafts exceptionally compelling journal entries that vividly express colonial views on British policies, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of colonial perspectives and employing persuasive rhetoric.
Proficient
3 PointsCrafts clear and persuasive journal entries that express colonial views on British policies, demonstrating a solid understanding of colonial perspectives.
Developing
2 PointsCrafts journal entries that attempt to express colonial views, but lack clarity, persuasiveness, or a strong understanding of colonial perspectives.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to craft journal entries that express coherent colonial views or demonstrate an understanding of colonial perspectives.
Colonial Resistance: Actions and Reactions
Assessment of student's ability to describe and analyze the actions taken by colonists in response to British policies.Description of Resistance
Accuracy and detail in describing colonial acts of resistance.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a highly detailed and accurate description of colonial acts of resistance, demonstrating comprehensive research and insightful analysis of their causes, events, and consequences.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides an accurate and detailed description of colonial acts of resistance, demonstrating thorough research and analysis of their causes, events, and consequences.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic description of colonial acts of resistance, but lacks detail or accuracy in explaining their causes, events, or consequences.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to describe colonial acts of resistance or demonstrate an understanding of their causes, events, or consequences.
Evaluation of Effectiveness
Soundness of evaluation of the effectiveness of colonial resistance in achieving goals.
Exemplary
4 PointsOffers a compelling and nuanced evaluation of the effectiveness of colonial resistance, considering both intended and unintended consequences and providing strong evidence to support claims.
Proficient
3 PointsOffers a sound evaluation of the effectiveness of colonial resistance, considering both intended and unintended consequences and providing relevant evidence to support claims.
Developing
2 PointsAttempts to evaluate the effectiveness of colonial resistance, but the evaluation is superficial or lacks supporting evidence.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to evaluate the effectiveness of colonial resistance or provide any supporting evidence.