The Process

Follow these steps to create your time capsule.

1. Read all the directions.

2. Your teacher will assign you to a team of four students.

3. With your team, begin by gathering some background information about Jamestown.

• Background Information (PDF Format)
• Jamestown Timeline
  http://www.fcps.edu/GunstonES/gunstones/special_projects/Jamestown.htm

4. Next, you will choose which role to play. There are four roles in this WebQuest. Read the descriptions about each role below. This information below is provided to help you get a better understanding of each role. Then decide which role each team member will play.

Role 1
The merchant should:

• discover the things that were traded in Jamestown.
• investigate the money used in Jamestown.
• select four items for the time capsule that represent trade and money.
  

Explore the links below to gather information about items you may want to select for your time capsule.

Role 2
The diplomat should:

• explore the relationship with the Native Americans.
• research trade between the Native Americans and Jamestown settlers.
• choose four items for the time capsule that represent the relationship between the Native Americans and settlers.
  

Explore the links below to gather information about items you may want to select for your time capsule.

Role 3
The survivor should:

• investigate the hardships the settlers faced.
• identify the settlers’ food, shelter, and clothing.
• select four items for the time capsule that represent the daily life and hardships of the settlers.
  

Explore the links below to gather information about items you may want to select for your time capsule.

Role 4
The politician should:

• learn about the Virginia Assembly, and why it is important to Jamestown.
• identify the Governor of Jamestown.
• choose four items for the time capsule that represent the Governor and the Virginia Assembly.

Explore the links below to gather information about items you may want to select for your time capsule.

5. Once you have chosen your roles, you will visit the links provided for each role to help you decide what items to select for the time capsule.

6. Each time you visit a web site you should complete a section of the graphic organizer. This worksheet will help you later in the project.
Graphic Organizer (PDF Format)

7. Once you have finished your research and completed your graphic organizer, you should decide which four items you want to include in your Committee’s time capsule. You should list these four items on a piece of paper.

8. Now you will write or word process a paragraph for each item justifying why you chose that item. Use your graphic organizer to help you organize your information.

9. Since only 10 items can go into the time capsule, each person in your group must contribute two items. Later, your group will vote on which of the extra items to include. For now, choose your two best items.

10. Using your Time Capsule Worksheet, list the eight items your team has already decided on.
Time Capsule Worksheet (PDF Format)

11. As a team, you will vote on the extra two items to include. Each team member should read their paragraphs to the Committee and explain why their items should be chosen. The Committee should then vote on the best two items. Once you have voted, complete your Time Capsule Worksheet with the last two items you chose.

12. Now work as a team to gather or create your items. See the teacher if you need help creating or finding items. You may want to include a tag describing your item. This tag can be a copy of your descriptive paragraph. Place the items and tags in your time capsule.

13. On the last day of the project, your Committee will present your time capsule to the Virginia Assembly (your class).