To better understand the role women played in early 17th century US history, class members examine the National Women's History Museum's online exhibit, Building the New World: the Women of Jamestown Settlement. After studying the 11 sections of the exhibit, individuals craft a dialogue between a woman who lived in Jamestown and a woman today.

Concepts

women's history, women's history month, women's rights, jamestown

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• If all class members have computer and Internet access, flip the lesson and have individuals visit the exhibit out of class before returning for discussion
• Ask pupils to keep Cornell-style notes as they read through the exhibit, recording key ideas and new vocabulary (headrights, indentured servants, bondswoman, primogeniture, etc.)

Classroom Considerations

• Requires individual access to a computer with Internet connection
• If Internet access to the exhibit is not possible, instructors can print the CyberExhibit; however, the packet is very large and the cost of printing copies may be prohibitive
• Presumes pupils know the history of the Jamestown settlement; however, background information is provided for a quick review

Pros

• A side bar permits viewers to jump to a specific section of the exhibit
• The 11 sections in the 21-page resource provides information on all aspects of the lives of the women in the Jamestown settlement
• A link to the dialogue assignment is included

Cons

• No rubric is provided for the writing assignment

Common Core

RI.9-10.1 RI.11-12.1 RH.9-10.1 RH.11-12.1