How to Prepare for Colonial Jeopardy

Stage 1: Research

Your teacher will assign an individual for you to study who lived in Colonial America. It is your job to learn all that you can about your person's life.

Find at least one primary resource that includes information about your person. Examples include newspaper articles, diary entries, and quotes.

Use books and the Links button displayed above to complete your research.

Stage 2: Writing Clues

Write 5 clues as if you were your character speaking in the late 1770's. Think of the clues as diary entries without the "Dear Diary."

List the clues in order of difficulty level. Clue #1 would give the reader the least helpful information, while clue #5 would practically give away the answer.

Clue #1 should give the reader an idea about your lifestyle. Describe your clothing, home, favorite foods, tools, leisure time activities and/or your occupation. By reading this clue, the reader should be able to determine whether you are slave, poor, middlin' or gentry.

Clue #2 might tell who your ancestors were, in which colony they settled, and why they came to America. Or you could talk about your childhood.

Clue #3 must be a picture of an artifact used during this time period with an explanation of its use. Examples include money, toys, tools, clothing, and so on.

Clue #4 could be a timeline of your accomplishments and a famous quote.

Clue #5 must include a picture of you (if available) and the final most obvious information that reveals your identity.