Colonial Trades

Colonial Trades       

     My 5th graders learned about colonial trades in a unit leading up to the Revolution. We used the Colonial Williamsburg website   www.history.org  to research information on various trades in the 1700's.  This is a great interactive website for children of all ages.  
        I linked this website to my Social Studies edline page. The students were instructed to go to the " Trades " section of the site. ( see below)  They needed to pick a trade and find information on what the person might do, tools needed, materials needed, and items made in their shop. My students could choose from a blacksmith, carpenter, cooper, milliner, wig maker, basket maker, or printer just to name a few.  They discussed their trade with their classmates. I always have my students discuss their ideas with a partner before they begin writing or answering questions.  It helps them solidify their ideas and I get a better finished written product.

      The next step was to draw the trades person in the typical clothing of the 1700's. The kids did a very light drawing over their basic person and then added the details. I blogged about this drawing strategy in "No more stick figures" a month or two ago.







After drawing, the students were to reread the information that had been collected.  Then a paragraph was written to introduce the person and their trade.

   "Good day.   My name is _______ and live in Williamsburg. I am a ____________."  This was the beginning of the paragraph. The students made up names for their trades person.

As you can see my students hit the ground running full speed ahead with this project. I loved all the details added to the illustrations.

I am a milliner.

I am a wig maker,

I am a silversmith.

I am a cabinetmaker.

I am a wig maker.

I am a carpenter and joiner.

I am a blacksmith.

      I must admit, my 5th graders did a awesome job on this project.  I'm sure that they will be excited to see their work in my blog today.
      We will be having a Boston Tea Party in May. My students dress for the day in colonial outfits. By researching and drawing these people, my students will have a very good idea what to wear to the Boston Tea Party.



Please leave me a comment.  I love to read your thoughts and ideas.