NO TAXATION, WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!

The colonists have been hard at work in their new colony. They have faithfully arrived on time ready and focused, and are dutifully fulfilling their job of learning.
However, peaceful times are soon to sour, and things began to heat up Wednesday morning as we arrived to posted pamphlets around our room. 
To see the prior lesson visit THIS post. 

At the usual time, Lord Governor Froomlop arrived with another proclamation from the King. In it, he stated that the King, ever grateful for our loyalty and aid in the French and Indian war, has implemented a new tax to help pay for the protection he gave. The following taxes were enforced:
        The Classroom Supply Act of 2014 (Proclamation of 1763)            
        The School Furniture Act of 2014 (The Stamp Act of 1765)
        The School Food Act of 2014 (Townshend Act of 1767)

 Lord Governor Froomlop proceeded to remove the allotted taxes from our wages (M&Ms) at first making it look like he was only going to take a few, but leaving those few and eventually taking our entire buckets! This caused a colonial outrage!

 What to do?? 

We decided that this was NOT FAIR and that we had not been warned, we had not voted on this, and we had not agreed to this - therefore, we were going to protest! With signs, angry fists, and even some torches, we crowded the windows outside of Governor Froomlop's palace and shouted, 

"NO MORE TAXES! NO MORE TAXES! NO MORE TAXES!"

 This, obviously, elicited a response from the Governor and he soon came before us. After settling the crowd he expressed the Kings great frustration at our unacceptable behavior and blamed me, their leader, for this hubbub. The King, he explained, felt it was time for him to step in and Governor Froomlop DISMISSED me as an unfit ruler, sending be back inside! From now on, things would go by his rules, sent to him by the King.

He directed the students SILENTLY back to our colony where they were set, very seriously, to the task of writing ...

However, the slips on their desks asked students two questions 1) Do you think what King Kensington is doing is Fair? YES/NO Would you be willing to give your life to protect your colony from a tyrant? YES/NO Silently go sit on the carpet and wait for everyone to join. Once there, count 1 .... 2 ... 3 ... and shout REVOLUTION!

The moment that loud REVOLUTION roar sounded above our colony, poor Governor Froomlop raced out of the room! Cheers resounded as I entered the room carrying our reclaimed taxes and becoming the colonies leader once again! 
In learning about the events that led to the revolution, this activity helps the kiddos relate, in a small but memorable way, the early colonial feelings toward non-represented government.

Of course, our following lesson looked at the reactions of the colonists and their ACTUAL revolt which resulted in what we know today as The Boston Tea Party. 
Peace has been returned to Hoponea, however, we are just getting started in the American Colonies!

Here are more American Revolution Activities: 

GOD SAVE THE KING!

Welcome to Colonial Hoponea!

Monday found the kiddos discovering themselves in the Colony of Hoponea (a play off the name of our school). This colony, like many others here on the continent of Three Riversward (a play off of our town), belong to the great country of Kalamazania (a nearby big city where Mr. B and I live). All are ruled with justice and peace by his Lordship, King Kensington Charles III (Mr. B.)

Upon entering the colony, students first chose a profession to become active members in the colony's success. There were many colonial jobs to choose from including: a cooper, miller, baker, blacksmith, farmer, doctor, minister, merchant, tavern owner, ship captain, silversmith, candle maker, gunsmith, tanner, cloth maker, tailor, milliner, tobacco plantation owner, potter, post master, etc.
Students then made signs to advertise their product or service in the community. 

As the day went on, we had a visitor to our colony - Lord Governor Froomlop paid us a visit to announce the proclamation of King Kensington III and distribute to us our hard earned wages (M&Ms) for our work within the colony. With which, as faithful subjects to the crown, we paid back to the Governor what we believed to be a reasonable tax for the Kings protection and aid (no complaints yet!).

Paying each of the colonial workers

Our group wages

Later on in the day, we received yet another visitor, this time via an internet message/video, where we were graced by the presence of his Majesty, King Kensington Charles III (Mr. Hubs), all the way from across the sea in the great country of Kalamazania, who thanked us for our loyalty to the crown and bestowed upon us the gift of an ice cream party!

Needless to say, we are very excited about our new lives here in the colony of Hoponea! Stay tuned for more events in our new colony! Oh, and one of us was even wearing the British flag ... what great and loyal colonists we are!

In reading, we are working on text structure - today's was CAUSE and EFFECT. First, we reviewed with European exploration - CAUSE: European's Discover the New World. EFFECTS: (positive and negative): Well, there seem to be a LOT of them :) The kids worked with their partner to sit, think, share, write together on the board as many times as they could! What a great review! (and time for me to see misconceptions! ha!) 

Then, we looked at the French and Indian War using this text structure and identified the causes and effects of the war. We analyzed articles with our partners and created a thinking map. 

We discussed how the colonists were protected with the Kings help and how they had fought to save their lands and to grow their colonies WEST! This set us up perfectly for learning in the next stage in our colonial Hoponea simulation.
For the next simulation lesson, visit THIS post. 

Here are more America Revolution Activities: 

Williamsburg Simulation

This week, we "visited" colonial Williamsburg and simulated what life was like in the early American colonies. We visited many parts including a shoemakers shop, A milliner (female dress maker) and Tailor shop (male clothing maker), Governor's Palace, Raleigh Tavern and Public House, Dame School (Where upper class girls learned), Grammar School (Boy's School - reading, writing, arithmetic, Latin, geography), and a computer colonial persons online activity. Other stations I have done in the past include a Tin Maker, Slave Quarter Music, Colonial Occupation Signs, and a Wig Maker. 

Here is a photo tour of our field trip to Colonial Williamsburg! If you are interested in any of these stations - the Colonial Williamsburg Bundle is available at my TPT store HERE! 

Measuring and designing colonial shoes as shoe makers and apprentices.   Learning how to serve tea and sew at Dame School. Acting as colonial governor and putting our political skills to use - Signing or rejecting important (and real) colonial bills. Learning how to write with a quill pen at the College of William and Mary.   Helping the tailor and milliner dress each colonial social person for their day including Poor farmers, African Slaves - both house slaves and field slaves, middling (middle class), and gentry using and online website. To access it, click on the button below:  COLONIAL CLOTHING Enjoying some relaxation, refreshments, and a game with friends at the Raleigh Tavern and Public House.  Learning about how different people lived, worked, interacted, and relaxed in colonial America using this website:  COLONIAL LIFE Colonial Decor around the room  I am really liking the window panes ... makes the room so much cozier don't you think :0)  Thank you for joining us on our tour of Colonial Williamsburg!  Here are more Colonial America Activities: