Strategic+Locations

=3.2 STRATEGIC LOCATIONS=

Objectives:
The students will identify locations for building forts and settlements in Pennsylvania. The students will justify location of new settlement and fort location. The students will understand that communities start in strategic locations

Standards:

 * 7.1.4.B:** Describe and locate **places** and **regions** as defined by physical and **human features.**
 * 8.3.4.B:** Locate historical **documents, artifacts**, and places critical to United States history.


 * 1. Creativity and Innovation:** Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.
 * 2. Communication and Collaboration**: Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
 * 3. Research and Information Fluency:** Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information
 * 4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making:** Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.

Procedure:
1. Divide students into groups of four and begin brainstorming necessary resources to start a settlement. 2. Students use map of Middle Colonies to "claim" a location for their settlement on interactive whiteboard. 3. Students share thier locations on a map and justify thier location for their settlement, record on notes tab of smartboard. 4. Class evaluates all locations and justifications and "makes" a colony.

Differentiated Instruction Options:
1. Below level learners use map on p. 44 in text and give reason for fort locations 2. Strategically group below level learners within class groups 3. Students use map of 13 Colonies to select a locatoin for their settlement

Assessment:
1. Students can identify strategic locations for new settlements 2. Students can give thorough justification of new settlements 3. Students can understand why settlements began in strategic locations

Resources:
Switala, W. (1996). //Pennsylvania USA//. Parsippany, New Jersey: Silver Burdett Ginn. The Middle Colonies: 1609 - 1702. Retrieved on July 10, 2011 from [] Reference Map of the Middle Colonies:1607 - 1760. Retrieved on July 10, 2011 from [] Maps ETC. Retrieved on July 10, 2011 from []