Before you begin learning about Williamsburg, take a moment to review what you already know about Jamestown. Go back and review your textbook and notes while answering these questions: What was difficult about living there? What were some of the good things about Jamestown? Now it is time to begin learning about what your life would be like if your family moved to Williamsburg in 1699. Use the resources listed below to discover what life was like in Virginia's new capital. You are ready to make your decision. Do you want to stay in Jamestown, the place where you have lived your whole life? Or do you want to move to Williamsburg, the new capital, where everything will be new and strange to you? With your decision made, you are ready to start your letter to your father. Be sure to include details about why you made that decision. Remember that you are trying to persuade your father; give him at least three reasons to stay or go. When you have finished your letter, check with your teacher. He or she will pair you with one of your classmates to peer edit and give you a form to complete. You will also get a form to take home so that your parents can help you edit your paper. Once you have finished peer & parent editing, go back and make any necessary changes. Then you are ready to type your final copy. Before you turn in your final draft, use the Persuasive Letter Rubric on the Rubric page to make sure you fulfilled all the requirements from your teacher. If you feel confident about your work, turn your letter into your teacher. Please do not forget to include your notes & rough draft.
Take a tour of Colonial Williamsburg to see what your new home will be like. Does this look like a place you may want to live? http://www.history.org/visit/tourTheTown/flash.cfm
888 Words About Colonial Williamsburg written by 4th graders just like you! http://www.beavton.k12.or.us/jacob_wismer/fourth/colonies/williamsburg2.htm
Contains information about why the capital was moved from Jamestown. Read until you see the section on The Stamp Act. http://www.americanparknetwork.com/parkinfo/cw/history/
Contains information about jobs in the new capital. Would you like to be apprenticed to any of these trades? http://www.americanparknetwork.com/parkinfo/cw/sights/trades.html
Contains information about Jamestown and Williamsburg. Read pages one and two. http://www.history.org/Foundation/newsroom/images/PRkitpdf07/R5-3-2007-400th%20Anniversary%20_Story%20of%20the%20Historic%20Triangle_.pdf
Contains information about church in most American colonies. http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/13colonieschurch.htm
Contains information about school in the colonies. http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/TM/EducationInTheColonies.shtml
Describes common crimes and how they were punished in Colonial Williamsburg. http://ohoh.essortment.com/colonialpunishm_rkzt.htm
Describes common illnesses during the Colonial time period. http://russell.gresham.k12.or.us/Meling/newcures.html
Use this tool to map out your argument! VERY GOOD! http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/persuasion_map/
Letter Generator! Here you can learn about the parts of a letter and how to write one of your own. VERY GOOD! http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/letter_generator/
Persuasive map planning sheet & notes. http://www.readwritethink.org/lesson_images/lesson875/PersuasionMapPlanning.pdf