Transcript Literature and Website Resources PowerPoint

Colonial Connecticut:
Literature and Web Resources
Michael Festi
EDU 553.e25
November 13, 2005
Introduction
The information found in this presentation is
part of a a larger project entitled Colonial
Connecticut: A Teacher’s Resource Guide.
The sub-topic covered here involves literature
and website resources that may be included in
a Social Studies curriculum unit on Colonial
Connecticut.
The intention of this presentation is to provide a
short summary of the literature and website
resources that may be used to create lesson
plans and will be included in the Teacher’s
Resource Guide.
Connecticut Standards
The information found herein should conform to those standards established by
the Connecticut State Department of Education as found in the Social Studies
Curriculum Framework (1998) for grades K-4.
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Historical Thinking
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Local, United States, and World History
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demonstrate knowledge of major trends in state and local history, including history of original
peoples, early settlements and selected changes over the past two centuries
Historical Themes
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gather historical data from multiple sources
engage in reading challenging primary and secondary historical source materials, some of
which is contradictory and requires questioning of validity
Describe sources of historical information
examine family life and cultures of different peoples at different times in history
explain different types of conflict, different ways in which conflicts have been resolved, and
different ways that conflicts and their resolutions have affected people
describe and explain some of the reasons people have moved and relate these reasons to some
historic movements of large groups of people
describe some goods, products and ideas which were exchanged as the result of movement
Applying History
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exhibit curiosity and pose questions about the past when presented with artifacts, records or
other evidence of the past
recognize relationships between events and people of the past and present circumstances,
concerns and developments
Connection to the Standards
Knowing the Connecticut standards that apply to the unit is
important, but it is also important to note how the resources are
connected to the standards.
Historical Thinking – While providing students with a variety of historical
resources (primary and secondary source documents), students will use
these resources to meet the standards
Local, United States, and World History – Students will use available
literature and website resources to learn about Connecticut (local) history
including original peoples, early settlements, and changes over time.
Historical Themes – Through the various literature and website resources
students will develop a greater sense of life in colonial Connecticut. This
especially holds true for the fiction literature where students can visualize
life through the eyes of the characters.
Applying History – Students should form questions based on the information
they find in the literature and website resources. It is the intention that
students will connect this information to the present day in order to
determine relationships between the two time periods.
Choosing Resources
When choosing literature and web resources, discretion is
appropriate. Teachers should be familiar with the authors
of their sources, especially for non-fiction because of the
presentation of facts.
The following are questions a teacher might ask when
reviewing literature and web resources:
Is the author a respected authority?
When was this resource written?
Has this information changed over time?
Does this present information contradictory to what students previously believed?
These questions will help teachers choose the best
possible resources to provide their students.
Access to Resources
Most of the literature resources listed here should be
accessible through the Connecticut Library System. I
have had access to all of the listed literature through
either the library at Eastern Connecticut State
University or through my town’s library, the Somers
Public Library. Therefore, these resources should be
available through inter-library loan.
Unfortunately, in order to view the web resources,
one must have access to the Internet. If an Internet
connection is not available in one’s classroom,
another option might be to print out the web
resources (or select information) from a computer
that can access the Internet.
Nonfiction Literature
Nonfiction literature pertaining to Colonial Connecticut:
 Fradin, D.B. (1990). The Connecticut Colony. Chicago: Children’s
Press.
This is a textbook that provides readers with a great deal of
information about the colonization of Connecticut including Native
American tribes, the first settlers, and the various Connecticut
Colonies (three river towns).
 Hakim, J. (1993). Making Thirteen Colonies. New York: Oxford
University Press.
An informational text about the Thirteen Colonies that covers from
colonization to independence. Not only does this text include
information about the Connecticut Colony, but it also contains
information on the other 12 colonies.
 Whitehurst, S. (2000). The Colony of Connecticut. New York:
Powerkids’ Press.
This book accounts for information beginning in the 1600s, and
follows the trail of Connecticut history from Adriaen Block to the
inauguration of Connecticut as the 5th state in 1788.
Nonfiction Literature
Nonfiction literature pertaining to the thirteen colonies and colonial life:
 Barrett, T. (1995). Growing Up in Colonial America. Connecticut: Millbrook Press.
An informational book about the lives of children in colonial America. The book
addresses the topics of recreation and daily life.
 Carlson, L. (1997). Colonial Kids: An activity guide to life in the new world.
Chicago Review Press.
This book offers a variety of activities that can be related to life in colonial
America. The book includes instructions to make colonial crafts and play colonial
games.
 Davis, K. C. & Schindler, S. D. (2002). Don’t Know Much About the Pilgrims.
HarperCollins Publishers.
An informational book part of the Don’t Know Much About… series. This book
provides a variety of information about the Pilgrims including customs and daily
life.
 Hakim, J. (1993). The First Americans. New York: Oxford University Press.
A textbook that informs readers about the first Americans that lived in the “New
World” long before the explorers and colonists arrived.
 McGovern, A. & Otani, J. (1964, 1992). …If You Lived In Colonial Times. New York:
Scholastic Inc.
In this book, the author attempts to answer common questions about what life
was like during colonial times.
Fiction Literature
Fiction literature pertaining to Colonial Connecticut:
 Creech, S. (2000). The Wanderer. New York: HarperCollins.
This is the story of Sophie, 13, who travels from Virginia to
Connecticut in order to make a transatlantic voyage to
England with her three uncles and two cousins. Novel.
 Dalgliesh, A. (1954). The Courage of Sarah Noble. New York:
Aladdin Paperbacks.
This is the story of Sarah Noble who travels with her father to
New Milford, CT, in order to build a new home for her family.
This story touches on family life and interaction with Native
Americans. Novel.
 Speare, E.G. (1958). The Witch of Blackbird Pond. New York:
Yearling.
Kit Taylor sails from the Caribbean to Connecticut in order to
make a new home. This story is about Kit and her struggle to fit
into her Puritan community.
Fiction Literature
Fiction literature pertaining to the thirteen colonies and colonial life:
 Bowen, G. (1997). My Village Sturbridge. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Set in1827 Sturbridge, MA, this is a fictional tale of a 15 year-old True Mason who
wishes to continue his apprenticeship with the master engraver. Picture book.
 Bruchac, J. & Shed, G. (2000). Squanto’s Journey: The story of the first thanksgiving.
New York: Harcourt Inc.
This story is narrated by Squanto and offers his account of the first thanksgiving with
the Pilgrims, a unique perspective. Picture Book.
 Fleischman, P. (1990). Saturnalia. New York: HarperCollins.
Set in 1681 Boston, William is a Narragansett Indian boy whose village was
attacked. He has been apprenticed to a printer but hopes to find some trace of
his family. He is believed to be the sole survivor of the attack. Novel.
 Locker, T. (1991). The Land of Grey Wolf. New York: Dial Books.
A Native American boy’s account of the arrival of white settlers to his tribe’s land.
Picture Book.
 Yolen, J., Stemple, H.E.Y. & Roth, R. (2004). The Salem Witch Trials: An unsolved
mystery from history. New York: Simon & Schuster.
This book provides a historical account of the events of the Salem Witch Trials. The
authors pose the question: was their actual witchcraft in Salem or was it colonial
hysteria. Mix of myth and fact, Picture Book.
Web Resources
Web resources that pertain to Colonial Connecticut:
 The Connecticut Historical Society - http://www.chs.org/
An informative website about the Connecticut Historical Society,
a non-profit organization that aims to, “collect, preserve, and interpret
the history of the diverse people - past and present - who have made
our state their home.”
 Connecticut History Online - http://www.cthistoryonline.org/
A collaborative website with the Connecticut Historical Society
that provides users with photographs, drawings, and prints. Spans a
great range of Connecticut history.
 Colonial Connecticut Records http://www.colonialct.uconn.edu/
This site is provided by the University of Connecticut and contains
records from Colonial Connecticut that span from 1636-1776. Another
great site for primary source documents.
Web Resources cont’d.
Web resources that pertain to Colonial Connecticut:
 The Connecticut Colony http://colonialancestors.com/ct/ct23.htm
This site provides the user with information on the Connecticut
Colony and the three river towns. It also contains links to
information about the other 12 colonies.
 The Mashantucket Pequot Museum www.PequotMuseum.org
The main site for the Mashantucket Pequot Museum located in
Mashantucket, CT. It contains Information on Native Peoples of
Connecticut. However, this site is no substitute for an actual visit to
the museum.
 Connecticut History for Kids http://www.kids.state.ct.us/history.htm
This site is geared towards children. The site contains
information about early Connecticut history along with links to other
interesting, informational sites.
Town Websites
Most Connecticut towns have websites that
contain information about their town’s
history. Also, many towns have historical
societies that have information on their
respective town’s history. Both of these
sources can be helpful in learning about
Colonial Connecticut. Examples:
A List of Connecticut Historical Societies & Museums
The Windsor Historical Society
Wethersfield Town Website
New Haven History