Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Jamestown

We are doing a brief overview of Colonial America before we start our first unit on how and why America fought for it's independence. Jamestown was the first permanent successful English colony in the America continents. Essentially, it was the start of America. The English had failed at two previous attempts to set up colonies in the "New World", and they almost failed at this one as well if it wasn't for the ingenuity of Captain John Smith. After a rough start in 1607, Jamestown eventually grew to become the basis of what would be the colony of Virginia. You can find out more by visiting this website.

My wife and I visited the site of Jamestown, where the fort and buildings have been recreated, on our honeymoon in the summer of 2003. Here are some pictures:










Here are some scenes from the experiences of Jamestown settlers that I have recreated for you.

John Smith (far left) helps Jamestown's settlers survive by telling them that if they don't work, they won't eat:


Captain John Smith is about to be clubbed to death by the Powhatan Indians:


But he is saved by the chief's daughter Pocahontas:


The Jamestown settlers are saved from their "Starving Time" by ships carrying supplies and new colonists from England:


Peace between the Jamestown settlers and the Indians is strengthened when John Rolfe marries Pocahontas with the approval of her father Chief Powhatan:


Thursday, August 18, 2011

Welcome Back!

The new school year will bring many changes to North Prairie. Classes will be about 30 minutes each and will be very different from your traditional Social Studies class. I look forward to a very FUN and exciting year!!

Here are some first day of school videos to get you in the right frame of mind: