Task
On this quest, you will explore what life was like in Colonial New Amsterdam. You will learn about life through the lens of the Dutch and African-Americans. After completing your research, you will imagine living in the time period and create a diary as if written by a child from one of these two groups.
As you gather information, you will immerse yourself in Colonial America, imagining yourself actually living during that time, both as a Dutch settler and as an African-American, most likely enslaved, but possibly free. Once you have journeyed through time, experienced life in both groups, you will write a first-hand diary account as either a Dutch colonist or an African-American.
As you know, most African-Americans were enslaved and few could read. Should you choose to "become" an African-American during this time, you will be one of the very few, very lucky ones who met someone who wanted you to learn to read and write and took the time to teach you. If you have chosen to "become" a Dutch child, you would have attended school, but only for a few months each year. Keep in mind that language has changed, and life sure has...a whole lot! Your diary should show that you understand life during Colonial times.
Click the link below to see an example of a diary from Colonial Times. This should give you an idea both of how difficult life during Colonial Times could be, as well as the language and format of a diary.
ALL DIARIES ARE DUE ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2012. NO EXCUSES! NO EXCEPTIONS!