Kids Dig Into History at New Web Site
Secrets and Reality of Colonial Maryland Revealed--Online
(PRWEB) October 16, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2003
CONTACT: Betsy Peisach (410) 581-4042 betsypeisach@mpt. org
Kids Dig Into History at New Web Site
Exploring Maryland's Roots Reveals Secrets and Reality of Colonial
Maryland
OWINGS MILLS, MD (PRWEB) October 15 2003--Dangerous sea voyages, backbreaking labor, and taming a wild land. Is it the next version of "Survivor" or the real lives of Maryland settlers and colonists? Students (grades 4-8) discover the adventure AND the reality at Exploring Maryland's Roots, a new interactive Web site from Maryland Public Television. http://mdroots. thinkport. org/default_flash. asp (http://mdroots. thinkport. org/default_flash. asp)
Developed with a group of advisors from Historic St. Mary's City, the
Maryland State Archives, the Maryland Historical Society, and Maryland
Teachers Exploring Maryland's Roots features primary source documents,
Diaries, sketches, settlement schematics, activities, storybooks, and
Digital video.
With the recent discovery of human remains from the late 17-century at
Leonardtown, MD, interest in archaeology and early history is up,
Especially as modern scientists use new forensic methods to uncover
The mysteries of the past. Kids find mysteries fascinating and with
Exploring Maryland's Roots they research, interact and experience history as the story of real people in a trying time, not as dates to be memorized.
In an online simulation called "Build Your Own Plantation," students
Experience life as it was in the time and face some of the same
Challenges and choices as the early colonists. In this activity,
Students are given 100 acres of land and a few tools and they need to
Make choices about crops and house placement and dodge diseases,
Flood, and drought.
Other exciting interactive activities include a virtual archaeological dig-using where students use their computer mouse to uncover, identify and piece together bits of history. Visit a Woodland Indian village and see what life was like before colonists reached Maryland's shores. and examine the real-life mystery of "The Three Lead Coffins" in St. Mary's City. Student use their powers of deduction to unravel the mystery of who was buried in the lead coffins
Under the chapel and why.
Exploring Maryland's Roots includes an extensive library with case
Studies and biographies of people important to the young colony, and
Related primary source documents. Students can investigate an interactive timeline on slavery illustrated with important
First-person documents from the archives to underscore the events and people that shaped the practice of slavery.
The Web site can be used inside the classroom or out and includes
Teacher resources such as lesson plans coordinated to Maryland Learning Outcomes. Says one 4th grade teacher from St. Augustine School in Elkridge, Maryland: "This is an awesome site! My students are in the middle of their Maryland unit, and we dropped everything to explore this Web site. They thoroughly enjoyed it, especially "Build a Plantation." The archaeology section was also popular."
The site also helps you continue the learning experience offline. The
Section for families includes suggestions for books to read together,
Recipes so kids can try cooking like a colonist, and links to places
To visit in person and tour Maryland's colonial past.
Exploring Maryland's Roots presents a complex and historically accurate
Picture of life in colonial Maryland in a fresh, engaging, and fun way
For kids to dig into history.
Exploring Maryland's Roots, a digital education project of Maryland Public Television, joins MPT's other award-winning online field trips and interactives on the Web designed to inspire and teach Maryland students, including Knowing Poe: The Life and Times of Edgar Allan Poe; Pathways to Freedom: Maryland & the Underground Railroad; Bay Trippers: An Online Field Trip to the Chesapeake Bay; Sense and Dollars; and Plastic Fork Diaries. Experience them all at http://www. thinkport. org> (http://www. thinkport. org>);.
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