Core Skills Analysis
History
The students visited the Georgia Day Expo and explored booths that reenacted life in the 1733 Georgia colony. They examined authentic replicas of colonial tools and listened to storytellers describing the challenges early settlers faced. By comparing the settlers' experiences with modern Savannah, they recognized cause-and-effect relationships in early American history. Their observations helped them understand why February 12 is celebrated as the colony’s founding day.
Geography
During the field trip, the learners used maps at the expo to locate Savannah’s original 1733 shoreline and the present-day city layout. They identified key geographic features such as the Savannah River and noted how the river influenced settlement patterns. By tracing the expansion of the colony over time, they visualized spatial change and developed a sense of place. This activity reinforced their ability to interpret cartographic symbols and scale.
Art & Design
The interactive booths invited the students to create colonial‑style crafts, such as weaving simple textiles and drawing period‑accurate clothing. While working with natural materials, they practiced fine motor skills and made aesthetic choices based on historical references. They reflected on how art expressed cultural identity in the 18th‑century colony. The hands‑on creations deepened their appreciation for historical craftsmanship.
Tips
To extend the learning, organize a mock Georgia colony council where students role‑play settlers, Native allies, and colonial leaders to debate land use and trade. Follow up with a mapping project where learners draw a before‑and‑after map of Savannah, highlighting how the river shaped growth. Incorporate a journal‑writing exercise where each child records a “day in the life” of a 1733 colonist, using descriptive language and historical facts. Finally, create a mini‑museum exhibit at home or school displaying the crafts they made, accompanied by oral presentations.
Book Recommendations
- The First Georgia: The Birth of a Colony by Patricia M. Gage: A picture‑book history that follows James Oglethorpe and the first settlers, linking key events to the geography of Savannah.
- A Journey to Savannah: A Kids’ Guide to Georgia’s Capital by Megan B. Collins: An engaging blend of facts, maps, and activities that introduces young readers to Savannah’s founding and its evolution.
- Colonial Crafts for Kids by Lydia M. Hensley: Step‑by‑step projects that let children recreate 18th‑century crafts, reinforcing historical context through hands‑on making.
Learning Standards
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.3 – Explain how a text conveys information about historical events.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3 – Write narratives that include historical facts and descriptive details.
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.G.A.1 – Solve real‑world problems involving area and perimeter (e.g., mapping colonial plots).
- NGSS 4-ESS2-2 – Interpret data from maps to locate resources and discuss human impact on the environment.
Try This Next
- Worksheet: “Then vs. Now” comparison chart for Savannah’s geography and population.
- Quiz: Five multiple‑choice questions on key facts about the 1733 colony founding.
- Drawing task: Sketch a colonial storefront using period‑appropriate architectural details.
- Writing prompt: “If I were a child in 1733, what would my daily routine look like?”