Teacher's Guide for COBBLESTONE ^® Rediscovering Jamestown

September 2006

Teacher's Guide prepared by Leslie Anderson Morales

Spain and Portugal were once the most powerful nations in the world. England's Sir Walter Ralegh knew that his country needed its own colonies if it was to become a world power. On a map or glove, identify countries in the Western Hemisphere that speak Spanish, Portuguese, and English. Which of them was settled by each of these three countries?

Design a timeline that begins in 1580 and ends in 1699. Include significant events and key individuals and locations.

The Virginia Company of London, England was organized by a group of wealthy investors. On May 14, 1607 about 100 settlers arrived in what is now Virginia.

Why did they choose the settlement's location?

What obstacles did the settlers face?

What might the investors and settlers have done differently to

guarantee success?

Virginia's tobacco industry was the beginning of modern agricultural America. Tobacco was touted as a pleasure and a cure-all.

How much did tobacco shipments increase in less than five years? (Express your answer in a percentage).

Create a broadside (or flyer) that might have been used as a marketing tool to promote the use of this product.

Compare your broadside to a modern advertisement in a magazine or on a billboard or web site.

When a group of people undertakes a bold activity, leadership is crucial to success.

Describe the characteristics (or personal qualities) of Jamestown's early leaders.

What characteristics do these leaders have in common?

Did these characteristics change over time? Why or why not?

In the early 17^th century, a trans-Atlantic voyage could take from six weeks to six months. What would you need to bring aboard in order to supply a ship's crew for such a voyage? Bonus: What time a year would be a good time to make the trip?

In 1607, there were between 14,000 to 20,000 Indians living near the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. These Eastern woodland tribes experienced changes in leadership, warfare, and ordinary daily life. Describe a day in the life of an Indian child during this time in the past.

Pocahontas was about 14 years when the English established a colony at Jamestown. She functioned as something of an ambassador until Captain Samuel Argall kidnapped her. It was later that a peaceful relationship developed between the colonists and the indigenous people. The young woman became Anglicized i.e. she adopted the religion, name, and lifestyle of an Englishwoman.

Why do you think she was willing to do these things?

Do you know anyone who's made similar changes in his or her personal life?

Several boys between the ages 10 and 14 were among the early settlers. Thomas Savage (his real name?) was given to the Indians. He lived with them for two years before making his way back to Jamestown. Write a few pages about one of these boys describing an event or day in his life.

Some of those who settled Virginia came willingly (free and indentured Europeans -- not just Englishmen) and others came unwillingly (Africans, criminals).

What motivated each group to work hard?

Why do you think someone would choose to become indentured for five or seven years?

Virginia's capital moved from Jamestown to Williamsburg in 1699. The new location was five miles inland from the old location. Williamsburg was a planned city.

What are the benefits (and drawbacks) of planning a city's development?

Compare the benefits (and drawbacks) to allowing a city to grow without a plan.

Which of these is taking place in your community?

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Updated: 11/21/09 09:38 am
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