Introduction

Did you know that the United States used to be divided up into 13 colonies and that those 13 colonies were divided up into three subgroups of colonies? Well it was and they were! The three subgroups of colonies were called the New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies. Each subgroup of colonies shared similar characteristics and way of life. The subgroups had some important differences too.

Now you are going to become a reporter for the Colonial Times! Around 1733 people from England wanted to move to the new 13 colonies, but they didn’t always know exactly what colony to move to. As a reporter it is your task to report on the similarities and differences between the three subgroups of colonies so that people coming from England can figure out where they want to move. As you are reporting on this task really dig deep. People are going to choose where to settle based on what you report, so find as much important and helpful information as you can!

Your task, as a reporter for the Colonial Times, is to give people from England as much information as you can on the three subgroups of colonies. You are going to need to compare and contrast the three subgroups. Use your best investigator skills and make sure that you are giving these people the best information you can find!

For this task you will work individually, but it’s okay if you share information with friends; after all, a good reporter uses all of their resources. You will need to find information on:
* The climate
* Crops being grown in the different areas
* Natural resources available
* Where the area is located
* Religious beliefs of the different areas
* What nationalities are in different areas
* What jobs are available in the different areas
* The laws of the different areas

Add anything else that you think people from England might want/need to know! Include as much as you can and try to think about what you would want to know if you were moving to a new place.

When you have finished researching you are going to make a Venn Diagram to display all of the information you have found. This will be an easy way for people from England to view the similarities and differences between the three subgroups of colonies. After you have finished your Venn Diagram you will need to write an essay stating your opinion on what subgroup of colonies you would recommend moving to.

Step 1:
Start Researching! You will need to use the links provided to find as much information as you can on the New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies. You should take notes in your Social Studies notebook. Divide your notebook page into 3 columns and take notes. Remember, when you take notes you should not copy word for word the information you find. You should write your notes in your own words and summarize your findings.

Use these links:
Information on all the colonies:
* Link #1

Information on the New England Colonies:
* Link #2
* Link #3 (login to DE before clicking on link)

Information on the Middle Colonies:
* Link #4
* Link #5 (login to DE before clicking on link)

Information on the Southern Colonies:
* Link #6
* Link #7 (login to DE before clicking on link)

Step 2:
Once you have finished researching and you have all the notes you think you need to complete this project you will need to put your notes into either a Venn Diagram. (There is an example of a Venn diagram below in case you forgot what a Venn diagram looks like.) There are 3 bubbles for the 3 subcolonies: New England, Middle, and Southern. Each bubble should be labeled showing what subcolony it is representing. The information in the bubbles needs to be neat and easy to read.  Use your best handwriting. Use bullets to display your information inside of the bubbles. Remember that when you use Venn diagrams any information that two subcolonies have in common goes in the spaces representing both of those subcolonies and any information that all three of the subcolonies share should go in the middle section of the Venn diagram.

Step 3:
When your Venn Diagram is finished and it accurately shows the information you have found, you can start writing your essay. You are giving your recommendation (your opinion) to people who are thinking of moving from England to the new colonies on which group of subcolonies you think would be the best to move to. Remember that people are going to take your recommendation and determine the next few years of their life. So, take this seriously and give people your honest opinion. In this essay you should state your opinion and provide details as to why you feel the way that you do. This should be your best writing.

Step 4:
When you are finished with your opinion essay and your Venn Diagram, mount the two pieces together on one large piece of paper.

	Beginning 1-2	Developing 3	Meets 4	Exceeds 5	Score
Use of Time Given	Was rarely on task. Had to take project home multiple times in order to finish. Project was not turned in on time.	Was sometimes on task. Used class time properly at times. Did most of project in class.	Was usually on task. Finished project on time. Used time efficiently.	Was always on task. Project was turned in on time. Used class time very efficiently.
Research Notes	There are little to no research notes. Notes are not in Social Studies spiral. Appears that student did very little research.	Research notes are minimal and incomplete. Notes lack sufficient evidence of research.	Research notes are complete. Information comes from notes. Notes show sufficient research was done.	Research notes are complete. Show that topic was thoroughly researched. Notes in reflect info. in the project.
Venn Diagram	Information in Venn Diagram is incomplete. Diagram is messy, shows little effort. Venn Diagram was not used properly.	Information in Venn Diagram is missing some pieces. Not all sections of diagram are used. Shows some signs of lack of effort.	All sections of Venn Diagram contain information. Shows sufficient use of effort. Information in diagram is relevant and complete.	All sections of Venn Diagram are used. Information in diagram is above what is required. Shows extra effort was used.
Opinion Essay	Essay is incomplete. More than 5 spelling and grammar errors. Shows lack of effort. Few reasons for recommendation are given.	Essay is not student's best work. More than 3 spelling and grammar errors. Not sufficient reasons to back up opinion.	Essay is well written. Few spelling and grammar errors. Adequate amount evidence to back up opinion.	Essay is well written. One or fewer spelling and grammar errors. Lots of evidence to back up opinion.
Overall Appearance of Final Project	Project is messy. Shows little effort was used. Missing key components of project.	Project does not reflect student's best work. Some information is incomplete.	Project is complete. No missing pieces. Final project looks good.	No missing pieces. Extra information and pictures are present. Final project reflects student's best work.

Great Job! The Colonial Times thanks you for your hard work and recommendation! The people of England thank you for all of the information you have provided them so that they can now make a more informed decision as to where they might settle when they come here. I hope that researching these subcolonies has taught you more about the colonies and the similarities and differences between the subcolonies.

Picture #1: Colonial Life
Picture #2: Harbor
Picture #3: 13 Colonies
Picture #4: Venn Diagram
Picture #5: Man & Woman

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