Teacher Resources
: Lesson Plans
: Travel in the Eighteenth Century
GRADE LEVEL: Elementary School through Middle School
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
People in the eighteenth century traveled very little compared to today's mobile society.
Most travel was for the purpose of attending church, transporting produce, purchasing supplies
or perhaps visiting neighbors. Colonists who lived in rural areas went to town once or twice a
year, possibly to attend a session at the local county court. Generally speaking only government
officials, merchants and planters traveled for business or pleasure. These people of different
social levels used various modes of transportation for different purposes and destinations. By
looking at how people traveled, we can learn more about life in the eighteenth century.
TIME REQUIRED: Two or three class periods
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MATERIALS:
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INSTRUCTIONAL FORMAT
OBJECTIVES:
As a result of this lesson, students will be able to:
- identify various forms of eighteenth-century travel
- make generalizations about the people that utilized eighteenth-century modes of
transportation
SETTING THE STAGE:
People today use a variety of ways to travel. Using the Graphic
Organizer on Transportation, have the class brainstorm and list modes of
transportation used today. Discuss with the students who might use each mode,
where the final destination might be, and the purposes for using this form of
transportation.
Discuss with students how they think travel was different for the colonists during the
eighteenth century than it is today. Record students' responses on the chalkboard or on a
flipchart. Inform students that they will come back to these responses when they have finished
investigating travel in the eighteenth century.
STRATEGIES/PROCEDURES:
Divide the class into collaborative groups, which contain no more than four
students each. Distribute a set of Traveler's Cards
to each group.
Ask each student to select one of the Traveler's Cards. Have them, as a group,
think about who is traveling, where that person is going, and why that person
is going there. When students have had a few minutes to brainstorm together,
give each group a copy of the Graphic Organizer Travel
in the Eighteenth Century. Ask the students to complete, as a team, the
first three columns. Inform them that each group will select a spokesperson
who will report its findings to the class.
Ask each group to report its findings to the class. Let students know that there may be
several answers to the questions on the Graphic Organizer. After each group has reported, allow
time for discussion if some groups have different opinions.
Next give each group the set of Transportation Cards.
Ask each group to discuss these various methods of eighteenth-century travel.
As a group, ask them to decide how their persons might have traveled to their
destinations. When each group has made their choices and has come to a consensus,
ask them to complete column four on the Graphic Organizer Travel
in the Eighteenth Century. Inform the students that each group will have
its spokesperson defend its choice. Remind students that there are no incorrect
answers.
In concluding the activity for the Graphic Organizer Travel
in the Eighteenth Century, have students refer to the Graphic
Organizer on Transportation and complete column five by listing a twentieth-century
mode of transportation. Discuss with students the changes that have taken place
in methods of travel over the last three hundred years.
As a culminative activity, refer to the chalkboard or flipchart used at beginning of lesson.
Ask students if there is anything they would change or add. Have them defend any changes they
make.
ALTERNATE PLAN:
Display transportation cards on a bulletin board. The teacher or a student creates a traveler
card each day for the whole class to consider and add to the bulletin board display.
If time permits have each collaborative group research four other eighteenth-century persons.
Have each group write a Traveler's Card and a Transportation Card for each of its four persons.
Next have groups exchange cards and follow the instructions under Strategies/Procedures.
EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT:
Students will select an eighteenth-century character and write a journal about a trip this
character would have made. Included in this journal entry will be a description of the person,
where that person in going, why the person is traveling and the mode of transportation that
person is using.
This lesson plan was developed by Patricia Krzich of Abraham Lincoln Elementary
School, Cupertino, California and the staff of School and Group Services. If you have a lesson
plan which you would like to share, please send it to Jim Ebert, School and Group Services, The
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, P.O. Box 1776, Williamsburg, VA 23187.
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