Colonial Williamsburg

All of the following activities are ideas that can be used to reinforce and/or assess the knowledge gained during the Williamsburg visit. Each activity can be as in-depth or simple as you choose. Most of the activities can be done as an individual, partner, or group. In order for your students to be more successful in completing their follow-up activity, it is recommended that they know what the follow-up activity is before attending Colonial Williamsburg. This allows them to focus on the information they will need to complete their final projects.

Suggestion: Select a few of the activities, and let students choose how they want to share the information they have gathered.

ABC Book
Have students create a class (or individual) ABC book highlighting their trip to Williamsburg. The books can be either handwritten or typed on the computer. Pictures can be hand drawn, or photos and postcards from the visit may be used.

Letter
Have students write a letter to an imaginary friend living in London in the mid-1770s. The letter will describe the sights, sounds, and experiences of Williamsburg in the eighteenth century and will also contain information the students learned.

Guides love to receive thank you letters from the students they give tours to. Have the students write a thank-you letter to their Williamsburg guide highlighting the most interesting information they learned.

Postcard
Have students design a postcard that could be purchased in Williamsburg. The students create a design for the front and a brief explanation and photographed/created by for the back. Once the postcard is complete, students write a letter to a friend about their field trip, create a Williamsburg stamp and postmark, and "mail" the postcard.

Travel Brochure
Have students create a travel brochure highlighting points of interest and historical information about Colonial Williamsburg. The brochure could include illustrations, written descriptions, and package deals.

Human Slide Show
Have students create a "human slide show" depicting scenes from Williamsburg. Students work in groups, decide on a topic (i.e. courtroom scene), create props and costumes, and write the narration. Assign one student to be the narrator. Each "scene" is frozen on stage as the MC narrates the scene. Each scene is done separately. Present the slide show to the class or, if a stage is available, to other students.

Colonial Newspaper
Have students create an eighteenth-century style newspaper. If time is limited, have students create only the front page and a headliner article.