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The Original Occupations of the Jamestown Settlers |
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The Original Occupations of the Jamestown Settlers |
Background Information: The Original Occupations of the Jamestown Settlers
Objectives
a. Students will define the following terms: migration, gentleman and councilor, tradesman, and laborer.
b. Students will trace trends occurring in patterns regarding Jamestown's first settler migrations.
c. Students will identify division of labor as an essential characteristic of a stable colony.
d. Students will cooperatively design their own colony migration
schedule, focusing on creating occupational balance.
Materials
http://www.apva.org/history/orig.html, http://www.apva.org/history/2ndsup.html, Dabney, V. Virginia: the New Dominion. "Into the Storm." 1992: University of Virginia Press, Charlottesville, pen and paper, blackboard
Relevance
This lesson is important because it will provide students will
valuable vocabulary that they will be able to use in everyday life.
More generally, in order for students to understand why Jamestown
succeeded or failed, one must know the context within which the
settlers lived and made their livings. Furthermore, one must
understand that all communities require diversity; all occupations,
whether common laborer or politician, are essential to community
development. This lesson in community development will provide the
framework within which students will understand the economic ups and
downs of Jamestown.
Involvement of Learners
Today we are going to talk about the first settlers in Jamestown. When a large group of individuals from one area goes to live in another country, it is referred to as a migration.. Can anyone tell me about other large migrations to America? (Teacher note: possible suggestions might include early 1900s when immigrants from all over the world arrived at Ellis Island or American migration to the West). In order for that group to survive in its new environment, several characteristics are necessary. What sorts of things do communities need to survive? (teacher note: possible responses might include food source, shelter, natural resources, communication, suggest division of labor/occupational diversity if students do not suggest. Briefly describe division of labor as members of the community making their livings in certain ways). After exlanation of division of labor, ask students, "Can anyone tell me why a community might have problems if everyone did the same job?" (teacher note: possible responses may include cities need leaders, food producers, builders, etc.).
Transition
Jamestown, the first Virginia Colony, came close to failing due to its lack of division of labor. Today we are going to look at charts detailing the first few settler migrations to Jamestown, look for patterns, and determine how Jamestown could have been more successful by creating our own systems of migration. And who can tell me what a migration is?
Activity
Have students stand and separate them into groups based on the percentages of occupations in first settlement. Put chart up on board (teacher note: diagram of chart found here).
original settlers -- 54% were gentleman or councilors
22% were tradesmen
26% were laborers or boys
(teacher note: first settlement chart found http://www.apva.org/history/orig.html)
Ask students which group is the majority?
Pass out Dabney chapter "Into the Storm." Refer students to page 60. Also, have students use textbooks and dictionary if necessary. Once students are in their groups, have students develop information regarding their occupation group. Make sure to include a job description and problems a colony would have if only that occupation group came to Jamestown) Assign a scribe, task master, reporter, materials. Go around to three groups offering suggestions. Have students present their information to the class. As students present information, fill in chart on board and have them copy board notes on paper for personal notes.
Following this activity, separate students according to second migration:
40% were gentlemen or councilors
31% were tradesmen
29% were laborers or boys
(teacher note: second settlement chart can be found http://www.apva.org/history/2ndsup.html)
Ask students to identify trends, who was the majority now? Was their greater occupational diversity in the second settlement?
Have students return to original seats.
Closure
In order to check students' understanding of the importance of occupational diversity, ask the following questions:
1. Why would it be beneficial to have all three of these occupations represented in a new colony?
(teacher note: possible responses might include a student describing each occupation groups' job description and then explaining why a community needs individuals to provide those specific services)
2. Can you think of any occupation that should in the majority when developing a colony? Why?
(teacher note: possible responses might include laborers or tradesmen because laborers are needed to build shelters and plant food, tradesmen are needed to make products neccesary for planting, building homes, and so on.)
3. Do you think it would be beneficial to a colony if within the first several migrations there are more tradesmen and laborers, rather than more gentlemen and councilors? Why or why not?
(teacher note: see above comments.)
Assignment
Give students time to begin in class. Divide students into groups of four and assign roles; scribe, reporter, task master, materials. Have students design settlement plan detailing occupational group representation for three migration waves (or settlement groups). Explain that 100 settlers would migrate during each time. Have them use the chart set-up provided at http://www.apva.org/history/orig.html
Explain that the group's reporter will have 5 minutes the next day in class to present migration plan. Require a graph (bar or circle) representing percentages of occupation to foster a better presentation. Ask that students be prepared to present the migratory pattern to the class and explain:
1. the occupations represented
2. why one occupation is more represented than another
Conclude with a summary of learning statement, such as: It is important to have a diverse representation of occupations when community development is one's goal, as one can see in Jamestown. Although they started off with mostly gentlemen, we have found that gentlemen were ill-suited to beginning the colony and more common laborers and tradesmen were necessary for Jamestown to succeed.
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URL for this page: http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu.