Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson : The Real History a Webquest
adapted by Winchester Thurston
Chains
is a remarkable book that weaves the history of the Revolutionary War with a
story about Isabel, a slave from Rhode Island sold to a Tory from New York.
Isabel's story becomes the story of the revolution as she encounters many of the
important people of the time and takes part in crucial moments. Laurie Halse
Anderson's publisher has requested your help in designing a museum highlighting
the history of
Chains.
You will investigate the actual history using articles and, in some cases,
primary sources.
One team will curate the museum looking at the overall picture and developing a
PowerPoint presentation introducing the museum. Other teams will choose a
subject then use the links provided to learn about the real people and events of
the Revolution. Each team will produce a three minute presentation using the
mediums of their choice--art, storytelling, video, smart board.
If your group comes up with a new format then see me.
You will have Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Bells 5 and 8 to research and create
your presentation. On Monday, October 31, the museum will open and participants
will share their presentations during Language Arts class.
The teams and requirements:
Curating team
You must present a three minute power point called "An Introduction to
Chains
and the
Chains History Museum" giving an overview of the book and the
historical information it contains. Please read
this article for
an overview
of the history and explore
this website
to learn more about Laurie Halse Anderson and why she wrote the book.
Display teams
You will be assigned a subject from the list below. Use the links to research
your subject then create a three minute long presentation detailing the history
for your display in the museum. You may employ any media you would like--art,
drama, technology--to tell the story.
Thomas Hickey spy plot
An excerpt from
the book--Daily Life During the American Revolution
A description of
the trial of Thomas Hickey
Pulling Down King George
An article about
the incident and a memorial in New York
An article about
the incident and what happened to the pieces of the statue
Thomas Paine and Common Sense
An overview of
Common Sense with some visuals of the pages.
Bill Moyers'
Journal. Especially check the references at the bottom of the page.
British Invasion of New York Part I (Battle of Long Island/ Battle of Brooklyn)
Summary of the
Battle of Long Island
The Battle of
Brooklyn from New York Public Library Blog
A Short Summary
of British Troop Movements in New York with a Map
A Very Long, Very
Thorough Article about the Invasion from The Atlantic Magazine from 1889
The Bowery Boys
New York City History Website
A Video from The
History Channel
A Site Compiled
by a Brit Illustrating the Battles and Troop Movemements
George
Washington's Papers
Map of the
Invasion
Battle of Long
Island from Director of Fort Ticonderoga
Fire of 1776
About the
prevalence of fires and some fires in Colonial Williamsburg
William Penn's
plans for Philadelphia show fear of fire.
History of
firefighting
About the fire
with some quotes from comtemporaries.
Information about
the fire mixed in with information about the battles fought in New York at the
time.
History of fires
in New York City
Two images of the
Fire
Samuel and Phoebe Fraunces
Black Samuel
Fraunces
About Samuel and
Phoebe -- and all the legends associated with them . . .
The controversy
about Samuel Fraunces
An article about
Phoebe from a 1961 newspaper
African American soldiers in Revolution--offers of freedom from Loyalist and
Rebel sides
An overview of
this topic
With a little
more detail.
Some biographies
of "Patriots of Color" -- scroll down to page 9-21
Biographies of
African Americans who fought on either side.
Status of Women in 18th Century
18th Century
Domestic Violence
Wedding Celebrations of the 18th century
Women's Role as Fundraisers during Revolutionary War
An Article about Women and Financial Control