"Do not go where the path leads;
Rather, go where there is no path and leave a trail."
-Emerson

Primary sources are becoming more and more available online. The Avalon Project and Project Gutenberg are two prime examples of how Internet access means access to history and the classics. When it comes to American colonial history this holds especially true. The links recommended this week could not be contained in a digital dozen format, so this week's edition is a special triple-issue - that's right 35 of the best sites out there on Colonial America. In addition to primary sources, there are also teacher pages, lesson ideas and how-to craft pages all designed to help make learning come alive in your classroom. I hope you'll find something to make use of with your students. Enjoy!

Africans in America - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part1/title.html

Companion to the TV series, with historical background, annotated images and documents, stories, biographies, and commentaries. This is not a cursory treatment of the topic, divided into four sections chronologically from 1450 - 1865. The resource guide offers many worthwhile online links connected to each section and the teacher's guide gives you names and places for further student study.

Archiving Early America - http://earlyamerica.com/index.html

This site brings together all kinds of historic early American documents, trivia, life in Colonial times, a colonial crossword puzzle; "a unique array of original newspapers, maps and writings come to life on your screen just as they appeared to our forebears more than 200 years ago." Full of primary sources, this site can serve as a digital colonial newspaper for your classroom.

The Birth of a Nation - http://tqjunior.advanced.org/3803/

A ThinkQuestJr. entry on the founding of the United States with as much emphasis on everyday life as major events, The Birth of a Nation showcases people, places and events that helped form our early existence in the new world. Since it was made by younger students, it is ideal for elementary Social Studies instruction as a supplement to your own lessons. The timeline is a bonus which helps to visually present the span of our early history with clickable links for fast reference.

Candle Teacher - http://www.candleteacher.com/

Interested in studying and making candles with your students? This is the place to be. There's discussion of wicks, waxes, fragrances and colors, and safety instructions, as well as recipes, pictures and ideas. Also, About.com offers clear set of step-by-step directions for making candles the way they did in colonial America at http://candleandsoap.about.com/library/weekly/aa121598.htm. And for an even more down-home explanation, see http://pixel.cs.vt.edu/aramsey/civil/hall/halljune101861.txt for a Civil War era description of how it is done.

Colonial America - http://www.mce.k12tn.net/colonial_times/colonial_america.htm

Mountain City Elementary School in Mountain City, Tennessee showcases these student costumes, timelines, lessons, activities and quizzes in this interactive matrix of student photos and hot links. Each section is replete with lots of content, activities and recipes, and an interactive quiz with an optional timer to really challenge your students' mastery of the facts. There's no better child-centered way to meet the likes of Pocohontas, James Oglethorpe, Roger Williams and Daniel Boone online.

Colonial America: Helpful Web Sites - http://www.angelfire.com/ny2/library218/kirsch.html

Our own Jerry Blumengarten's (aka CybraryMan's) collection of hot links to best resources online for studying colonial life. Links include Noah Webster and America's First Dictionary, Schooling, Education, and Literacy in Colonial America, and Biographies of the Founding Fathers. While you're there, why not check out the rest of Jerry's page by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page!

A Colonial Family and Community - http://www.hfmgv.org/education/smartfun/colonial/intro/index.html

"Be a history detective. Go back in time and investigate the daily lives of the Daggetts, a colonial family from northeastern Connecticut. Collect clues to uncover answers to 7 questions about colonial life in the 1700s. Then prove your skills as a history detective by discovering "What's wrong with this picture?" This site features the lives of the Daggetts, a real family who lived on a farm in the town of Coventry, Connecticut. Students use an online "account book" to help solve seven riddles about life in colonial America.

Colonial Games and Toys - http://www.ctstateu.edu/noahweb/games.html

The web site of the Noah Webster House presents this clean, quick-loading page discussing toys and past times of children in the colonies, which includes a nice listing of toys and games plus an image of a colonial game board that students can print out and use to make their own original games. Presented in plain text for ease of use no matter what browser you're using, the page also includes nursery rhymes, tongue twisters and riddles.

Colonial Kids - http://library.thinkquest.org/J002611F/

This ThinkQuest entry does a great job of presenting colonial life in southeastern Pennsylvania, including homes, schools, clothing, transportation, chores, occupations and Native Americans. There's a glossary, a nice collection of games and other activities you can use in the classroom. The pictures of actual students and the handsome parchment background help to make this site easy on the eyes and a popular choice of students. Your students can even learn about each of the kids from Salford Hills Elementary School in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania who built this project.

Colonial Lexington - http://hastings.ci.lexington.ma.us/Colonial/Colonial.html

Maria Hastings School in Lexington, Massachusetts houses this student-generated collection of links on colonial life long before "the shot heard round the world." Topics covered include Who Lived Here Before the Colonists?, Lexington Family History, Colonial Life, Colonial Crafts, Important Lexington People and their Families, Historic Homes and Ye Old Grave Yard. There's also a treatment of British soldiers and the infamous battle that began the Revolution for those teachers who would like to extend their studies into the period of the war.

Colonial Soap Making - http://www.alcasoft.com/soapfact/history.html

The Soap Factory offers this fabulous history of soap from Babylon to modern times looking especially at soap in the American colonies and the chemistry of soap. Perhaps more of a primer for teachers, this is a great resource if you'd like to make soap with your students as part of your colonial studies. You'll read about how to make wood ash lye, clean the fats and boil the two together to make the soap. Difficulties in making soap are discussed and an interesting connection between soap and candle making is brought to your attention, as well.

Colonial Trades in America - http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/forestoakms/geddes/TitlePage.html

Mrs. Geddes 8th Grade World Studies Classes at Forest Oak Middle School in Gaithersburg, Maryland presents this well-constructed examination of artisans in the colonies. Not only are 19 trades presented here, there is also a discussion of how the project was undertaken and a listing of additional resources for further study. If you're planning a colonial day this is a great place to look for ideas on the different artisan roles your students can take on in your classroom.

Colonial Williamsburg - http://www.history.org/

The premier site on daily life in Colonial America - the only way to see more is to visit there in person; virtual tours, awesome images, scholarly documents, teacher resources, and a wonderful set of materials on Christmas in colonial times. Click on history to find the wealth of resources that comprise the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation - each one an original source not found anywhere else online. I would especially commend to you the History Explorer link, which offers you a look at the people, places and customs of colonial Virginia.

Early American Paintings - http://www.worcesterart.org/Collection/Early_American/

Thus virtual exhibit presents a collection of paintings from the Worcester, Massachusetts Art Museum, all dealing with the colonial era. Click on any section of the timeline and see additional works of art that reflect the people and times of early America. There are portraits, landscapes and still-lifes; click on the thumbnail to learn even more about the painting, the artist and its history. Best of all, the timeline includes important historical events that occur concurrently with each painting's creation.

The Federalist Papers - http://lcweb2.loc.gov/const/fed/fedpapers.html

As the colonial era ended there was intense discussion about the nature of government and the rights of men. The correspondence of James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay in hammering out an American understanding of these English principles are a timeless treasure that is still studied today in schools of political science around the country. This site is an online catalogue of all 85 papers written by these founding fathers that provides you with the ability to search the entire database. It's an excellent source for the study of the principles of American democratic government.

The First Ten Newspapers in America - http://www.historybuff.com/library/reffirstten.html

R. J. Brown of the History Buff offers this text-based overview of the first ten news publications in the colonies. It includes a discussion of Benjamin Harris's Publick Occurrences, Both Foreign and Domestick, John Campbell's News-Letter and Andrew Bradford's American Weekly Mercury. This is a great jumping-off point for students studying the evolution of the newspaper in colonial America.

The Freedom Trail - http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/

Looking to visit the famous sites of colonial Boston without having to pay for the trip? This site offers an awesome Shockwave-based virtual tour of the historic stops in Boston you can visit today which beckon back to this hotbed of revolt in the late 1700s. Online stops include Boston Common, the State House, King’s Chapel Burying Ground, the Old South Meeting House, the Boston Massacre Site, Faneuil Hall, Old North Church, Old Ironsides and Bunker Hill.

Hargrett Rare Maps of Colonial America - http://scarlett.libs.uga.edu/darchive/hargrett/maps/colamer.html

Primarily southern colonies covered here through this wonderful University of Georgia resource. It covers everything from De Laet's map of Florida et regiones vicinae done in 1625 through Dunn's North America, as divided amongst the European powers made in 1774. It's an excellent resource for secondary students needing to examine primary source documents.

The Jamestown Gazette - http://tqjunior.advanced.org/5226/final1.htm

This ThinkQuest Junior entry doubles as an online colonial newspaper. The interactive version of the Jamestown fort is the highlight of the site, allowing students to see the layout of the fort and click on each building to learn more about its function in the settlement. The study guide and quiz help reinforce important names, dates and events featured in your curriculum. The site uses frames so you'll want to have a browser version 3.0 or higher - suitable for elementary students.

Liberty! - http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty/

Based on the PBS series, this site boasts rich content in a user-friendly format. Consider especially Chronicle of the Revolution, the Road to Revolution, and Perspectives on Liberty. The Chronicles include a timeline of events from 1760 on, Perspectives emphasizes daily life in the colonies, and the Road to Revolution is actually an interactive online game that engages students as active participants in the Revolutionary War.

The Lost Colony - http://tqjunior.advanced.org/3826/intro.html

The second colony on Roanoke Island was left deserted in 1587 with no trace of the colonists. When ships returned to England for additional supplies they were detained for three years while Queen Elizabeth fought the Spanish Armada. This excellent ThinkQuest Junior presents this historical mystery in the first person by earthlings who now live in cyberspace. Creative and intriguing, this is a great study of Roanoke Island.

Mayflower Web Pages - http://members.aol.com/calebj/mayflower.html

Created by Caleb Johnson, a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, this site is "Mayflower Central" with all the links you need to study the coming of the Pilgrims to what is now Massachusetts: passenger lists, documents, wills, journals, history of the voyages and the village, and new genealogical resources. Chocked full of primary sources and interesting anecdotes, this site nicely complements the Plimoth Plantation web site.

Mount Vernon - http://www.mountvernon.org/education/

The home of George Washington's adult life, Mount Vernon is a Mecca for tourists visiting the Washington, DC area. Here online you can access much of the information about George Washington and life on his estate without ever having to leave the classroom. This section of educational resources does a nice job of presenting colonial life on a Virginia plantation. In addition to Washington's home there is a look at slavery on Mount Vernon and an excellent study of farming in the new world.

NativeTech - http://www.nativetech.org/

No contemporary study of early America is complete without an examination of the indigenous peoples who lived here before the arrival of the Europeans. Presenting Native American technology and art, NativeTech showcases art, craft, games, toys, food, and recipes by presenting traditional technologies without labeling them 'primitive.' Waaban Aki native Tara Prindle hosts this extensive site which emphasizes the life and accomplishments of the peoples of the eastern woodlands.

Native Pre-Contact Housing - http://indy4.fdl.cc.mn.us/~isk/maps/houses/housingmap.html

Paula Giese presents this interesting text and graphic presentation on pre-European Native American dwellings. There are structures such as the igloo, the buffalo-hide tipi, the pueblo, the hogan, the earth-covered lodge, and many more. While not every structure includes its own link, they each are sketched out for easy visual identification. Go to the main menu and find a wide collection of online resources on everything from Native American astronomy to Mayan civilization; but beware the gaming and casino links while working with students.

Old Sturbridge Village - http://www.osv.org/

This is the online presence of the Massachusetts living history museum set in the early 1800s. It offers a wonderful view of small town life in early America through virtual tours, educational materials and multimedia presentations. The panoramic 360 degree views of the actual village are visually engaging, and the Critter Counter, games and puzzles and teacher resources (especially the online tour of the village) make this a rich resource for your classroom.

Patches from the Past - http://www.historyofquilts.com/index.html

Here you will find a wealth of information about quilting, including a challenge to the popular belief that women had time to quilt in colonial America! You can find old time quilting terms, the true history of the sewing machine and quilt styles in early America. See the Colonial Quilt lesson plan at http://pbskids.org/libertyskids/pt_activities_quilt.html for help in planning your own class project.

Plimoth on the Web - http://www.plimoth.org/

This is the online site for the colonial Plimoth Plantation in Massachusetts. Click on the "Plimoth Plantation: The Museum" link to visit both the 1627 Pilgrim Village and the 1627 Wampanoag village known as Hobbamock's Homesite. You can also learn about the Mayflower II which is anchored in nearby Plymouth, Massachusetts right next to Plymouth rock. The Library: Historical Information is a great collection of information on the settlement, and the Kids' Page offers activities your students can enjoy right in the classroom.

The Road to Revolution - http://www.norfolk.k12.ma.us/students/kaufman/revolution/R2R.html

This simple looking compilation of colonial era dates is actually a collection of hyperlinks (beginning with the Molasses Act of 1733) that share succinct synopses of important events leading up to the American Revolution. Digital images and student-created explanations help make this site endearing and informative. Presented by Mrs. Kaufman's students in Norfolk, Massachusetts.

Salem Witchcraft Hysteria - http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/97/salem/

This National Geographic online interactive presentation immerses the participant in the drama of 1692 Salem, Massachusetts through the use of a window that is spawned when you click on the site logo. Students can follow through the chronological events of that summer or use the drop-down jump menu to focus in on specific incidents that are of interest to them. What makes the site so compelling is the way it hooks you into the unfolding events of the time.

Seven Walking Tours of Philadelphia - http://www.ushistory.org/districts/index.html

Clickable maps take you through this frames-version of seven distinct areas of this historic city; limited information but good pics and a great jumping off point for further study on colonial life. The historic district alone boasts eighteen stops from Welcome Park to the Liberty Bell. There's a clickable map in the top frame for visual learners and a text-based list of sites along the left-hand side for verbal folks. There's also tours of Fairmount Park, Washington Square, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, North of Market Street, Society Hill and Rittenhouse Square.

Stratford Hall - http://www.stratfordhall.org/

The original estate of the Lees of Virginia, Stratford Hall remains a living museum for all who wish to see life on a colonial plantation. The education section includes historical documents you can study online, as well as an architectural study guide and classroom materials on Education for Boys and Girls, Music and Dance, Indentured Servants and Transported Convicts, Slavery, Medicine and Health and Leisure Time and Games. There are additional sections on the gardens found there, ongoing archeological digs and the history of the home.

13 Originals: Founding the American Colonies - http://www.timepage.org/spl/13colony.html

The Time Page presents this awesome synopsis of how each colony was formed with a collection of links that lead to further treasures for classroom study. Links include A Map of the Colonies prior to the Revolution, Boundaries of the Contiguous United States (animated), a Map collection of the Colonial era and Colonial Charters, Grants and Related Documents. Be sure to take advantage of the colonial links offered here to other great resources too.

William Penn: Visionary Proprietor - http://xroads.virginia.edu/~cap/penn/pnhome.html

Tuomi J. Forrest presents Penn as a unique force in colonial America, covering his role as a peacemaker and as the builder of Philadelphia. It is most suited for middle and high school students, as it is largely text-based and is written for an academic audience. Still it is one of the better pages online covering the accomplishments of this remarkable man.

You be the Historian - http://americanhistory.si.edu/hohr/springer/

This long-running simulation is presented by the Smithsonian's Museum of American History to help students learn while practicing the process of historiography. Acting as historical detectives, students try to explain events in the life of the Springer family in the late 1700s in Delaware. There are ways to self-check their work and to ultimately come to an understanding of how historians learn about history - top notch processes here!

 

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