Plymouth Webquest
This webquest will take you on an information hunt to learn about the people who celebrated the first Thanksgiving in the New World. Unlike the colonists who came to Jamestown in 1607 for wealth, the Plymouth colonists were determined to make this New World their home, and be free to worship God as they pleased. As you progress through this activity you will tour their ship, the Mayflower, spend time at a replica of Plymouth Plantation in 1627, view interviews with historic people, see original documents as well as additional research. As you progress through the different sites, you will answer questions and most importantly, you must take notes about important details and interesting facts. These notes will be used to add realism as you write 3 journal entries. The contents of these entries should reflect your knowledge and understanding of what the life of a Pilgrim was like.
Task 1: Who Were the Pilgrims?
Before you begin this journey, you need to understand why you have decided to make this perilous trip to the New World. Read the following article:
Why the Pilgrims traveled to the New World.
Who Were the Pilgrims?
Keep the following questions in mind.
Who were the Pilgrims?
For what reasons did they journey to the New World?
Why the Pilgrims traveled to the New World.
Who Were the Pilgrims?
Keep the following questions in mind.
Who were the Pilgrims?
For what reasons did they journey to the New World?
Task 2: The Journey Begins
The Mayflower is where you will spend several months of your life. It will be your home for 66 days! When you finally reach land, you continue to use the ship as a home until shelters on land are built.
As you read the information and tour the ship, take notes for details and gather answers to the questions.
1. Take notes of details as you learn about the rigors of life aboard a ship by reading some of the following:
· What Happened on the Voyage
· Things the Pilgrims Brought
· Girls on the Mayflower
· Interview an Author About the Mayflower
2. Next, Listen and watch as the Mayflower sets sail for the New World.
Journey on the Mayflower
3. Finally, take a tour of the Mayflower!
Tour the Mayflower
As you read the information and tour the ship, take notes for details and gather answers to the questions.
1. Take notes of details as you learn about the rigors of life aboard a ship by reading some of the following:
· What Happened on the Voyage
· Things the Pilgrims Brought
· Girls on the Mayflower
· Interview an Author About the Mayflower
2. Next, Listen and watch as the Mayflower sets sail for the New World.
Journey on the Mayflower
3. Finally, take a tour of the Mayflower!
Tour the Mayflower
Task 3: A Successful Society Needs Rules
When the Mayflower arrives some of your fellow passengers (maybe even yourself!) decide that something important is needed to help you survive in the New World. This item is called the Mayflower Compact.
Read the information about the
Mayflower Compact .
What was this document and what did it say?
·Why do you think it was important that every man on board signed it?
Next, look at the original document. Scroll over it and read what the document would say in modern language.
Read the information about the
Mayflower Compact .
What was this document and what did it say?
·Why do you think it was important that every man on board signed it?
Next, look at the original document. Scroll over it and read what the document would say in modern language.
Assignment 1:
You will pretend that you are a passenger on the Mayflower who has just arrived in the New World. Write a journal entry telling of your experiences while onboard the Mayflower. This entry should include details from your research about why you left Europe, what the living conditions are, how you spend your time and what the passengers had to sign (and why) before they left the ship.
Task 4: People of the New World
The Native Americans have been living on the land long before you and the other colonists arrive from Europe. You are very curious to learn more about these people. Who are they? What are their lives like?
1. Read the interview with Fast Turtle, a Wampanoag Indian.
2. What does the name Wampanoag mean?
3. Who was Massasoit?
1. Read the interview with Fast Turtle, a Wampanoag Indian.
2. What does the name Wampanoag mean?
3. Who was Massasoit?
Task 5: Life at Plymouth
You have finally settled into life at Plymouth.
It is hard work starting a colony and you have many responsibilities.
Take notes for realistic details for your next journal entry about life at Plymouth Plantation. How do you live, what do you eat, what do you wear, and what is your home like?
Life in Plymouth
Daily Life
Now that you know a little about the two groups of people living in the area at this time, it is time to learn more about them.
Become a historian and travel back in time to learn more about each group.
How are their lives different? How are they the same?
Assignment 2:
Pretend you live at Plymouth Plantation and write a journal entry about what it was like to live there. Be sure to describe the local natives and compare and contrast the similarities and differences between your life as a Pilgrim and that of a Wampanoag child during this time period.
Task 6: The First Thanksgiving
Now that you have survived it is time to celebrate! Read about the first Thanksgiving.
What was it like at the first Thanksgiving meal?
Who helped make this meal possible?
How was the first Thanksgiving different from our Thanksgiving today?
The First Thanksgiving
Squanto
What was it like at the first Thanksgiving meal?
Who helped make this meal possible?
How was the first Thanksgiving different from our Thanksgiving today?
The First Thanksgiving
Squanto
Assignment 3:
Imagine that you were at the first Thanksgiving. Write a journal entry describing your experiences. Include information about the food, Native Americans and activities that you participated in.
Bonus Task: Did Your Ancestors Arrive with the Pilgrims?
Just for fun, read about the passengers aboard the Mayflower . You might be surprised to find that one of your ancestors arrived on one of those early voyages.
Task Journal Rubric
Created by: Roxanne Forrester and Bethany Napolillo
Task Journal Rubric
Created by: Roxanne Forrester and Bethany Napolillo