Campaigning For Our Colonies

Colonists have finally finished constructing their colonies. The results: impressive. The craftsmanship: top-notch. Each one was so thoughtfully constructed and designed to meet the needs of the colonists and to help them achieve their colony goals. Parents will have an opportunity to see these settlements soon.  More on that to follow. 

Colonists have moved on to the next and final phase of the project, creating marketing campaigns for each of their colonies. The goal for these marketing campaigns?  To attract more settlers and wheedle the support of the "citizens of England", enticing them to relocate their families to their colony in the New World.  Students took some time to evaluate a selection of marketing tools that they'll use to promote their colonies, including the use of billboards, TV commercials, social media and product brochures (cleverly promoting 17th century ideas using 21st century tools). Their final marketing campaigns will be presented to fourth grade students who are learning about how the geographic features of North America shaped its history. Fifth grade students will host a gathering with fourth grade students and offer them an opportunity to explore these new colonies and view their respective marketing campaigns. An election will be held shortly thereafter, where fourth graders will vote on the ideal colony.

There is some serious learning happening here, folks. They are actively applying their knowledge and understanding of geography as it relates to human settlement, as well as a variety of communication skills and strategies to achieve a win for their colony, including the use of propaganda (something my homeroom students are learning about as a prelude to an upcoming [unrelated] dystopian novel unit). Kudos, kids - it's an outstanding example of applying your learning across all content areas. Check out the images below. Our classroom simulates a junior P.R. agency. ☺  Stay tuned for more on this next week...

Valzania & Co. P.R. Agency: "We Make Publicity Happen"