Colonial Occupations

A WebQuest for 3rd Grade Social Studies

Designed by Karyn Picard ~ Allen Avenue School

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits 

Introduction

In Colonial Times, it was common for families to work together at a specific trade.  Today, your life is going to change!  Thanks to modern technology, you and your twin brother or sister (if you didn't have a twin, you do now!) have been transported back in time.  You and your twin are apprentices at a shop in Colonial America.  But, your classmates back in the 21st century have no idea what you're up to.  When you get back, you will need to provide them with clues to help them guess your occupation.

While you are away, think about these questions:

How is your occupation important to the people of Colonial America?

Is this occupation still important today?  Why or why not?

How is this job done today?  What is the same?  What is different?

The Task

Now that you and your twin have spent a month as apprentices in a colonial occupation, your classmates are wondering what your trade was.  You and your twin will research your assigned occupation and prepare a KidPix Slide Show giving your classmates clues to help them guess your trade.  You will present this Slide Show to your classmates using the BIG TV.

The Process

1. Miraculously, your teacher will find your long lost twin brother or sister.

2. As a team, you and your twin will research your assigned occupation using the resources provided.  You will take notes (not copy sentences) on the chart provided.  Read through each of the resources before assuming that you are done taking notes.  Gather as much information as you can.  Be sure to sketch pictures where appropriate so you don't forget what things look like.

Blacksmith Resources

Cobbler (Shoemaker) Resources

Cooper Resources

Gunsmith Resources

Miller Resources

Printer Resources

Silversmith Resources

Wheelwright Resources

3. Once your chart is completely filled out, you are ready to begin your slide show.

4. Your slide show must contain the following slides:

• Title Slide- Must include a creative title and your names.  Remember, the title should NOT include the name of your occupation.  It's a guessing game!

• Products

• Tools

• Materials

• Steps (This one does not require an illustration)

• Importance to Colonists

• Changes through Time

• Guessing Slide- Creatively ask your classmates to guess your occupation.

• Reveal the name of your occupation.

5. You and your twin will decide which slides you will each be responsible for (odd numbered slides or even numbered slides).

6. You will separate from your twin and create your designated slides.  Be sure to save your slides to your disk so we can compile them with your twin's slides to create one presentation.

7. Requirements of your Slide Show:

• Each slide must contain text and an illustration or graphic taken from a Web Site (NO stamps!)
• Text must be written in complete, totally awesome third grade sentences.
• The illustration must go with the text.
• Remember, you and your twin are writing the clues, so you'll need to use the word "we" instead of "I".
• Do not use the name of your occupation in your slide show- It's a guessing game!
• Slides should be well-organized and easy to read, so choose colors and fonts carefully.
• Each slide must have a transition and a sound to move to the next slide.
• Be sure to time your slides correctly to give your classmates time to read the clues.