| Lesson 1: Deerfield Matures
and Finds Its Identity:
Placing Deerfield in a National Context
2 class period (85 minutes each)
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| Key Content Ideas Taught in this Lesson and
Teacher Background |
Growth of the Colonies
During the early 1700s the British colonies in America grew and
prospered. New towns were formed to accommodate the bulging populations
of established communities. Both agricultural and trade-dependent
economies developed. Craftsmen emerged within the communities, their
work often influenced by their English counterparts. A merchant
class, bolstered by trade among the British colonies and England,
flourished by bringing the goods inland. Refinement, a reflection
of economic success, was exhibited in material wealth, education
and improved manners. Social stratification became evident.
More diverse religious denominations were rapidly
developing nationwide, while the Congregational Church remained
at the center of the New England communities. The growth of wealth
and refinement was reflected in the size and interior decoration
of their many newly constructed churches.
Throughout the early 1700s, disagreements continued
between France and England over control of the new lands in North
America. France claimed much of eastern Canada and areas around
the upper Ohio River Valley. The British, meanwhile, mounted numerous
attacks on French-built forts, seeking to remove the "French
threat" of occupation on these lands. Generals Braddock and
Washington led troops into the Ohio Valley area, only to lose to
the French at Forts Duquesne and Necessity. Later British defeats
occurred at Fort Niagara and Crown Point. In 1757, colonials from
New England, under the leadership of Generals Wolfe and Amherst,
renewed their efforts to drive out the French by launching an attack
against a small French Arcadian outpost at Louisburg on Cape Breton
Island. The Arcadians were forced to flee into the colonies, toward
the mouth of the Mississippi, and into the St. Laurence River Valley.
Later attacks at Crown Point by General Amherst -- at Quebec by
General Wolfe, and at Montreal by General Amherst -- effectively
eliminated the French political influence from the North American
continent.
Teacher Background Essay: 1704-1790 –
Growth and Struggle
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| Intended Learning Outcomes |
Understandings
Students will understand:
• that world events brought important
changes that impacted Deerfield..
Skills
Students will be able to:
• use information gained from this and
other periods to develop a continuum showing the growth of the
Deerfield community.
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| In Preparation for Teaching |
1. Read Teacher Background Essay: 1704-1790
– Growth and Struggle
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Primary and Secondary Sources:
- Materials (print/digital resources) for learning
stations related to the American history topics enumerated in
the activities.
- Computers/Access to PowerPoint.
- Newsprint for development of presentation
rubric as a class.
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| Activities |
Materials in Context |
| Class Period 1
As a transition from the Colonial
Period (1680-1720) to the Federal Period (1780-1820), the
lessons will center on important national events during the
interim period.
- Divide the students into groups.
Each group will explore a national event/topic and develop
a PowerPoint presentation to explain their findings.
- Packets of information will be
provided in learning stations for students' use. It is expected
that the students will also use relevant print materials,
websites, and databases.
- With students, develop a rubric
for oral presentations, including areas of content, organization,
evidence of further research, clarity of the presentation,
and enthusiasm for the topic.
- Instruct students to provide printouts
of their PowerPoint presentation to their peers.
Topics:
- Population growth expanded rapidly
because of immigration and an increased birthrate.
- England sought to control colonial
affairs. (Townshend Acts, Mercantilism)
- Differences among the European
countries spilled over into the colonies. (French Wars,
Crown Point, Ticonderoga, Louisburg)
- Social groupings became more
complex (Divisions by ethnic group, towns and cities, social
position, and wealth)
- Political and social ideas took
root in America that placed a high value on the autonomy
of the colony and individual. (MA Constitution, pre-constitution)
- Religious diversity grew.
Homework Assignment:
Research the national topic and develop a presentation.
Class Period 2:
- Instruct student to pass out their
PowerPoint printouts to members of the class, as well as
the developed rubric.
- PowerPoint presentations of research.
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Completed PowerPoint
presentation, referencing the developed rubric.
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