Investigating the fort at...
Jamestown
Students use iPads, iPods, phones, or a
computer to investigate the Jamestown fort.
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mr-Educator-A-Social-Studies-Professional
Instructions:
1.) This activity is a great online activity to be used in regards to Jamestown. Students
will use computers, iPads, iPods, or even their phones to investigate the Jamestown fort.
Just have students navigate to the link provided and complete the worksheet. This gives
students a great window into what the first colonists at Jamestown experienced.
Name _________________________________________________________________ Period ____
The Jamestown Fort
- A Close Examination -
http://www.preservationvirginia.org/rediscovery/page.php?page_id=18
1.) What is located at Number 5? (The link for #5 is outdated. To access #5, go back to today’s date on the calendar and click “Jamestown Fort -­‐ #5)
a.
b.
c.
What was this area used for? Why was this location within the fort chosen for this site? How do researchers know this site was from 1607?
2.) What is located at Number 6? a. How is the location at “6” different from “5”?
b. Why is “6” not located within the fort?
c. What had the Virginia Company instructed the Jamestown residents do with those who died? Why do you think that was?
3.) What has happened to the Southwest corner of the Jamestown Fort (Number 3?)
4.) “Soldier Pits” are located on the western side and were used in the very early stages of the Jamestown fort. a.
b.
What number are they located at?
What were “Soldier Pits” used for?
If you Uinish before time expires, explore the rest of the Jamestown Fort! Write down 3 more features within the fort, where they were located, and what they were used for!
Name _________KEY________________________________________________ Period ____
The Jamestown Fort
-
A Close Examination -
http://www.preservationvirginia.org/rediscovery/page.php?page_id=18
1.) What is located at Number 5? This was the burial ground in 1607.
a. What was this area used for? It was a burial ground for early colonists
b. Why was this location within the fort chosen for this site? The burial ground was inside the fort’s walls. Why? To hide the numbers of sick colonists from the Virginia Indians. If the Indians knew the colonists were weak, they may have attacked and wiped everyone else out.
c.
How do researchers know this site was from 1607? All bones found were males, and we know the Eirst voyage only contained men and boys. There are also records of 2 men dying on same date.
2.) What is located at Number 6? Captain’s Burial
a. How is the location at “6” different from “5”? This is located outside the fort whereas earlier burials were inside.
b.
Why is “6” not located within the fort? Captain Gosnold interacted daily with the Indians...if he suddenly disappeared the Indians would suspect something serious was going on. By burying him outside, the Indians witness his death and do not suspect the colony’s distress.
c.
What had the Virginia Company instructed the Jamestown residents do with those who died? Why do you think that was? The VC instructed to hide the casualties, likely to hide their weaknesses.
3.) What has happened to the Southwest corner of the Jamestown Fort (Number 3?) This section of the fort has eroded over time as the coast line has been broken down.
4.) “Soldier Pits” are located on the western side and were used in the very early stages of the Jamestown fort. a.
b.
What number are they located at? 4
What were “Soldier Pits” used for? These were early, primitive forms of settlement likely used for housing before the fort was constructed.
If you Uinish before time expires, explore the rest of the Jamestown Fort! Write down 3 more features within the fort, where they were located, and what they were used for!