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Starting with American history: Jamestown

  • Writer: Shayna
    Shayna
  • Jun 24, 2024
  • 3 min read

I am a lover of all things history. American is my favorite. And family history. Stories, people, places -- wars, triumphs, heroes.


I never know where to start when it comes to teaching history. There are SO many stories and incredible people to learn about! But I find myself thinking, "don't they need to know X and Y before I tell that story?"


The answer is, probably not.


They could learn about Paul Revere's midnight ride or George Washington's prayer in Valley Forge before battle and still learn the values, the sacrifice, the triumph of history.


So leaving out the thousands of years of history and making sure they've heard of Columbus and his finding a new world-- I'll start with Jamestown. Just to get them going. Then I can jump into all kinds of American History.


Also, let's keep this simple. Give them the basics.


Jamestown was established in 1607. It was named after King James in England. It was the first permanent settlement and English colony in North America. It was located near the James River and is located what is now Williamsburg, Virginia. It was not uncommon to name cities or other places after famous people--in this case, King James I who made it possible for the Viriginia Company of London to settle the colony in North America.


105 colonists, all men, arrived in May 1607. They hoped to find ways to make money. The first years there were very difficult. Many died from illness and lack of food. One of the leaders during these early years was Captain John Smith.


The Jamestown Fort was set up in a triangular fashion with battlements in each corner.


The Native Americans were called the Powhatan confederacy. Native Americans are also called "Indians" because when the New World was first discovered, Columbus believed he had found a route to India (hence, they called them "Indians"). In the beginning things were friendly and the natives shared food with the colonists but they did not always get along. There was difficulty in communication and in the way both groups lived so differently. By 1609 the natives stopped sharing food and even attacked the colonists who left the fort at Jamestown. Without the aid of the Native Americans more than 75 percent of the colonists died during the winter months. The settlers did not know how to grow crops in this new soil or how to survivve in the diffferent weather conditions.


in 1610 more colonists arrived and in 1612 John Rolfe began growing tobacco. It was not very popular at first but the colonists began to sell tobacco to England and that helped Jamestown to make money. We now know tobacco is not very good for the body.


Pocahontas

The Disney movie Pocahontas probably isn't the best and certainly not the most accurate portrayal, but it gives kids an idea about discovery, settling a new land, the Natives who lived there and how unknown can be challenging and even frightening.



But Pocahontas was a real person. She did help the settlers. She was the daughter of the Indian Chief Powhatan. She apparently did save John Smith's life. A few years later in 1614 she met John Rolfe and they were married.  This brought peace to the two groups. He later took her back to England with him where she was honored and admired by many who wanted to see this native woman. Her name was changed to Rebecca Rolfe. Sadly, she became ill with smallpox and passed away before returning to her native land.




In 1624 Virginia became a royal colony, ruled by the king of England. Jamestown was the capital of Virginia but was later moved to Williamsburg in 1699.


In a nutshell that is the Jamestown settlement.


Now as we're delving into American History--this is a good foundation for the colonies and those who live there. Next comes the 13 colonies, taxation, loyalists and rebels and then on to the inspired Revolution!




ACTIVITIES AND IDEAS

  • Teach the basics of what and where England is. Show a map. Who was the king?What are subjects?


  • Teach about discovery and what a colonization/colonies are. Remember Christopher Columbus? Who rules colonies?


  • Talk about what you could name a colony or city (after family members)! (ie Clarkston, Masontown or Livvyville) OR for James... Jamestown! :)


  • YouTube video about Jamestown (3:38) https://youtu.be/t0kr8_E6Va0

    • Make paper boats to represent the ships traveling to Jamestown

    • Make it fun and race these in the gutter or elsewhere!


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