Human Heritage: A World History

Chapter 31: Expansion Into the Americas

Web Activity Lesson Plans

“Pocahontas”

Introduction
Students have read about the Jamestown colony established by the English in 1607. In this exercise, students will visit the Jamestown Rediscovery Web site to learn more about Pocahontas, the Algonquian princess, and her efforts to help the colonists.

Lesson Description
Students will use information from the Jamestown Rediscovery Web site to learn about Pocahontas and the indigenous tribes in the Tidewater area of Virginia. Students will read an introduction to the excavation site, a history of the original settlers, and the story of Pocahontas. Students will then answer four questions and apply this information by imagining they are reporters for the London Times during Pocahontas's visit to England and writing newspaper articles describing who she is and why she was important to Jamestown.

Instruction Objectives

1. Students will be able to identify Pocahontas and name ways in which she helped the Jamestown colony.
2. Students will be able to use this knowledge to write newspaper articles describing Pocahontas and her importance to Jamestown.

Student Web Activity Answers

1. Legend says that the Algonquian had stretched Captain John Smith upon stone slabs and prepared to beat him. When Pocahontas saw Smith in distress, she rushed in and pleaded with her father to spare the Captain's life. Pocahontas and Smith became good friends, and she often visited the Jamestown colony.
2. When the English kidnapped Pocahontas, she went to live in a new settlement called Henrico. While in Henrico, she was converted to Christianity and fell in love with John Rolfe.
3. Her trip to England was both joyous and tragic. In England, she was reunited with John Smith, whom she had believed was dead. But while journeying back to Virginia, she died. Her trip to England, although it closed the door on the 22-year-old Indian princess's life, gave her celebrity and honor for her contributions to the colony in Virginia.
4. Pocahontas aided the early settlement in Jamestown by helping to make sure the colonists had food to eat. Additionally, she reportedly intervened on behalf of the colonists in their dealings with Native Americans. She served as a "vital link" for peaceful communication between the Native Americans and the English.
5. Students' newspaper articles will vary.