Spray Plantation, Near the St. Mary's River, Maryland, l661

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Teacher Information

Using this web field trip with students

 

     If students are new to the web, show them how to navigate a site using links, especially BACK, BEGINNING, NEXT. Also show them how to use the Back, Forward, Home buttons in the toolbar of your Internet browser (top left corner of screen).

     Students should spend time thinking about what they know and what they would like to learn before they go through the text. Help them to formulate thoughtful questions, ones that require more than "yes/no" answers. Provide time to discuss their thoughts and questions with a partner, small group, or even the entire the class before they proceed through the site. Have them record their thoughts. When they've gone through the site, give them time to discuss and write about what they have learned.

    There are many links on these pages which extend information. You might suggest that students pursue the links on a return visit through the site, after they complete a first visit going through the basic text.

       Monitor screen resolution for best viewing is 800 x 600.

       Students can organize information they acquire as they progress through this field trip experience on "mind maps" or graphic organizers. There is an excellent collection at

http://muskingum.edu/~cal/database/organization.html

 

Student Text Resource

      Where Maryland began...the Colonial History of St. Mary's County. Sandy Shoemaker. Orion Publications, St. Mary's County, 2000. Order from orionpublications@yahoo.com or Orion Publications, 22519 Iverson Drive #3, Great Mills, MD 20634, $13.50 for educators plus postage/shipping (as of 10/2000).

     This is an excellent reference and the reading level is appropriate for 4th graders. The author is Director of Education for Historic St. Mary's City. See "Chapter 5, Tobacco: The Stinking Sotweed," pp. 29-34, and "Chapter 6, Life on a l7th Century Plantation," pp. 35-42. These chapters are based on the Spray Plantation at St. Mary's City.

 

Teacher Reference Book

      Robert Cole's World: Agriculture and Society in Early Maryland. Lois Green Carr, Lorena S. Walsh, Russell R. Menard, University of North Carolina Press, l991. 358 pages. Available in paperback and public library

     The Spray Plantation at HSMC is based on the information from this book. The fictional character of Godiah Spray is based on Robert Cole, who actually lived. It is a definative, scholarly source for information about l7th century Maryland plantation life.

Web Sites        

         Historic St. Mary's City (HSMC)

http://www.smcm.edu/hsmc/

     See the site for information on tours, special events, general information. A visit to St. Mary's City is an excellent field trip. Teachers receive extensive previsit information, resources and activities. They do all the instruction at the museum. Docents acccompany each class group to different sites where they meet costumed interpreters. A complete tour takes about 4 hours, including a lunch break.

 

Soap-Making

            To get a very detailed of account of "Colonial Soap Making," visit the web site below.

Teacher Institute

     HSMC offers an outstanding week-long residential institute at St. Mary's City for elementary teachers about Maryland's l7th-century history. It is held in the summer and room and board is provided at nearby St. Mary's College. Teachers hear from experts in l7th-centry history, archaeology, and museum education. Much time is spent learning-by-doing at museum sites and engaging in inquiry and hands-on activities. There is even a sail on the Dove. College credit is available. Contact the HSMC Education Office at 301-862-0979.

     

Credits

     Photographs of the Godiah Spray Plantation and text, based upon research of Historic St. Mary's City staff, and other images by Sue Freienmuth (e-mail: mdhistory@yahoo.com), retired from MCPS in l999 after many years teaching Maryland history as a fourth grade teacher.The author thanks the staff of Historic St. Mary's City, especially Dorsey Bodeman, Director of Public Programs, for support and suggestions.

 

 

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Sue Freienmuth for Montgomery County Public Schools, MD, Oct. 25, 2000