Your expertise is needed immediately! We need three historians to report on the 13 original colonies. The information you provide will be used to teach others about colonial times. Through researching the colonization of America, you will discover the similarities and differences of the Southern, Middle and New England Colonies. For each region you will uncover the hardships that the settlers faced while creating a new life that was accepting of everyone. You will discover the challenges they faced territorial, differences and similarities, religious factors, and slavery issues.

After analyzing your findings, your team will create a multimedia presentation and a timeline to illustrate the colonization period.

The task is to identify and make discoveries of the 13 original colonies. You will uncover this information through research. Your final report will include:

• Identification of the 13 original colonies
• The founders of each colony and the year it was founded
• Descriptions of why the founding of the colonies
• Geographical characteristics of each colony
• The role of religious development
• Slavery
• Multimedia presentation
• A timeline of the regions

1. The three experts on your team will be divided into three regions. Each person must choose a region.
2. Each expert must print out their Information Sheet for their region.
   • The Southern Colonies
   • The Middle Colonies
   • The New England Colonies
3. Review some key terminology of the colonial period.
   • Glossary of Colony Terms
4. Using the information sheet answer the questions below for your area of expertise.

   1. List the colonies in your region and who was the founder of the colony?
      • 13 Colonies
      • Founding the American Colonies
   2. Description of why these colonies were founded.
      • American Colonies
   3. List three geographical characteristics of each colony.
      • The Colonies One by One
      • a. South Colonies b. South Colonies Chart
      • a. Middle Colonies b. Middle Colonies Chart
      • New England Colonies
   4. What role did religion play in the development of your region?
      • Virtual Religion Index
   5. Describe slavery in your region or the attitude towards slavery.
      • Slavery

5. Once the Information Sheet has been completed, all 3 experts will come together to share findings. Each team member needs to share their information with the other members. After discussing the information determine the similarities and difference discovered between the regions. Create a multimedia presentation using PowerPoint, HyperStudio, ClarisWorks or KidPix. Your discoveries must include a minimum of 10 slides ranging for a duration of 3-5 minutes. The presentation MUST be a collaborative effort.
6. Develop a pictorial Timeline for Colonial America. Work together as a group to complete the timeline.
   • Using the software Timeliner* or a spreadsheet* construct a pictorial timeline for the colonization of the colonies. *Note: If you do not have access to Timeliner or a spreadsheet program, you may use poster board or butcher paper to construct your timeline.
   • Upon completion of your timeline, hang it in the Media Center to share your discoveries.

Women

Women of the Thirteen Colonies

Black History in the Colonies

African-American Experience

Fun Stuff to Do

Word Search

Your team will be given two grades for this project. One grade will be an individual grade and the second will be a grade for the group. The following rubrics will used for assessment.

You will have a better understanding of how the 13 original colonies were founder after completing this WebQuest. You will have learned about the three regions, religion, slavery and how to work collaboratively as a team.