It was once said that "America is a melting pot." Ask students who know their family history to describe their family origins to the class; or tell them something about your own background.
After researching the history of Fort Mose, have students talk about how the historians know who lived there.
Subject:
Computer Science, Social Studies, Art, and History
Grade:
Elementary, Middle or High School
Materials:
Computers, TV, Internet access, VCR, access to Media Center (library),
Objectives:
1. Students will research (or be lectured on) what life was like for
slaves in the early Americas.
2. Students will create an interpretive picture to accompany their project.
3. (optional) Students will work as a group on the project and will work cooperatively while
collaborating.
Activities
1. Ask students to try to imagine what life is like for the slaves brought to the Americas -new language, no family, no escape etc. What day-to-day problems might they face?
Have students talk about life in St. Augustine during the 1700's. Who lived there? How did they get along? Was it a melting pot?
Have students research life today in America for immigrants. To drive home the "melting pot" idea, make a big black kettle out of poster board. Hang it at the base of the bulletin board. Coming out of the top of the kettle could be a montage of student-selected newspaper articles and photographs that reflect America's diverse population.
This lesson was modified (a lot) from the lesson