Subject: History
Topic: Colonial America #1
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Lesson
1
The Exaggeration Games (British Accents)
The
first lesson begins with the discussion of what a colony is and that
they were ruled by a faraway government, most of the American
colonies were ruled from afar by England. The exaggeration game
could be played using a common theme of speaking with a British
accent. A student could locate England on a map and using a British
accent explain where England is located in relation to America. The
students could place and record their guess on how long it would take
to get from England to America back then. Continuing the discussion
with reasons that a country (in this case England) would want to
establish a colony so far away (in this case in order to procure new
land as well as to take advantage of the natural resources located in
the new land). Next, the students are asked why they think the
people would want to leave their country and go to a far away and
unfamiliar place (in this case things such as more opportunity to
make a better living, to make a new start, etc). To further explore
the reasons why people wanted to come to America economic rights and
human rights is written on a whiteboard. The students are asked for
reasons that are recorded on the board that would fall into either
category (for example, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, more
job opportunities). Explanations
should be further discussed regarding that each colonist viewed
coming to the new world as a way to make a new start and each group
had their own reasons for leaving Europe.
Explain the following reasons to the students and ask the students to identify each as an economic or human rights problem:
Explain the following reasons to the students and ask the students to identify each as an economic or human rights problem:
They
could not find work in Europe.
They did not have the opportunity to practice their chosen religion.
They could not afford to own land in Europe.
They did not have the opportunity to practice their chosen religion.
They could not afford to own land in Europe.
Further explain that moving to the New World provided solutions to each problem:
There was work for every trade in the New World.
In the New World the colonists were able to practice whatever religion they chose.
Land was offered for free or at a very low cost to the colonists.
Finally, have the group select a spokesperson with the best British accent to present their final findings to the class.
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More history improv lessons coming soon!
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