Activity Overview
Have students keep track of a timeline of up to ten events from John Smith’s The General History of Virginia. Using the narrative, along with their history textbooks or online resources, have them plug in the dates of the major events, including their arrival, the account of the first winter, his capture by the Native Americans, his return to England, etc.
The General History of Virginia Timeline Example
| December 1606 | Three ships leave England and set sail with 105 men and boys to establish a colony in Virginia |
|---|---|
| May 1607 | After spotting land and scouting the area, the settlers step on land, naming it James Cittie, or Jamestown |
| October - December 1607 | The colony loses over half of its settlers to starvation, disease, and Native American attacks |
| December 1607 | Captain John Smith is captured by the Powhatan tribe and brought before Chief Powhatan; he claims that Pocahontas saves his life |
| September 1608 | John Smith is elected President of the Virginia Council and issues the edict: “He that will not work shall not eat” |
| October 1609 | Smith is replaced by George Percy, and was injured in a gunpowder explosion. He returns to England, never to return to the colony or New World again |
| December 1609 | Chief Powhatan and his tribe lay siege to James Fort, and all but 60 settlers inside die from starvation |
| June 1612 | Jamestown produces its first tobacco crop, which they export to England |
| August 1619 | African indentured servants arrive on a Dutch ship; first meeting held of the Virginia General Assembly (House of Burgesses) |
| March 1622 | A surprise attack by the Powhatans kills 342 colonists, although Jamestown is spared |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Create a timeline of the General History of Virginia.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify important events, policies, and actions taken during the colonization of Virginia.
- Describe the events, policies, and actions in the description box.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
- [ELA-Literacy/RI/9-10/1] Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
- [ELA-Literacy/RI/9-10/3] Analyze how the author unfolds an analysis or series of ideas or events, including the order in which the points are made, how they are introduced and developed, and the connections that are drawn between them.
- [ELA-Literacy/RI/9-10/9] Analyze seminal U.S. documents of historical and literary significance (e.g., Washington's Farewell Address, the Gettysburg Address, Roosevelt's Four Freedoms speech, King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail"), including how they address related themes and concepts.
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events and Dates | The events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. The dates provided are correct. | Most of the events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. Most of the dates provided are correct. | Some of the events chosen for the timeline are significant. There may be missing events, or events that are irrelevant. Too many dates may be incorrect. |
| Explanations/Descriptions | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are accurate and provide insight into the significance of the events. | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are mostly accurate and attempt to provide insight into the significance of the events. | There are several glaring inaccuracies in the explanations or descriptions of the events. There may be little or no insight int the significance of the events, or the information provided may be too limited or missing. |
| English Conventions | There are 0-2 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 3-4 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 5 or more mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. |
How To Analyze the Timeline of Events of “The General History of Virginia”
Give Historical Context
Start by giving the students an overview of the Jamestown settlement's history. Talk about the reasons for English colonialism and the difficulties that the early settlers experienced. Here teachers can explain more verified facts and details from other general sources. This primary discussion will help the students build a foundation for the secondary discussion.
Discuss in Detail
Teachers can have a secondary discussion on the timeline of the events with the students in detail and ask the students to list the events and get familiar with the information presented in the book itself. Encourage the students to actively participate in the discussion and share any other knowledge and information they have regarding these events.
Look for Proof and Evidence
Encourage the students to highlight the facts and other perspectives present in the book and use their research skills to analyze the accuracy of the events. Students can read other material such as seminal US documents of history and literary significance which are verified and can be used as reference.
Read Criticisms and Other Perspectives
Many historians and writers have criticized the perspective of Captain John Smith in “The General History of Virginia”. Students can try to read these criticisms and understand the points of view of different people and find out the points of contention. This will help the students form their own opinions and perspectives and they will be able to present a comprehensive analysis of the events and their timeline.
Consider Historical Relevance
Encourage students to consider the historical relevance of the incidents that are detailed in "The General History of Virginia." Ask the students to reflect on questions such as to what extent these occurrences further the history of American colonization.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Virginia Colony Timeline
Which key figures made a significant contribution towards the discovery of “The Virginia Colony”?
The London Company founded the Virginia Colony in 1607, with John Smith and other English immigrants playing a significant role.
What key historical events took place in the Virginia Colony under John Smith's leadership?
The "Starving Time," Smith's interactions with Pocahontas, and the beginning of commerce with the Powhatan Confederacy are among the events that have made significant contributions to history. Students can also compare Smith’s narrative and other perspectives in this regard as an analysis activity.
What difficulties did the Jamestown settlers first encounter in their early years?
The settlers had to deal with issues including sickness, scarcity of food, hostilities with Native Americans, and unfavorable weather. Gradually, under the leadership of John Smith, the settlers were able to overcome these obstacles.
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