The Time Capsules

ENGLISH PROJECT THE 18th Century TIME CAPSULES

TO BE OPEN IN 2010

INTRODUCTION

DO you know what a TIME CAPSULE is?

The Oxford English Dictionary defines a time capsule as:

"A container used to store for posterity a selection of objects thought to be representative of life at a particular time."

Time capsules are made to preserve the salient features of history and to serve as valuable reminders of one generation for another.

Time capsules are sometimes created and buried during celebrations such as a cornerstone laying for a building, or at other events

Here are some websites where you can read and learn about time capsules that have been found in different places: Time capsule found in Colorado Springs (the USA) http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1098331.stm Time capsule found in Liverpool http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/1715600.stm Time capsule found in Wales http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/1670457.stm Video: Palo Alto time capsule: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl5H8U6yh2Q&NR=1

THE 18th CENTURY TIME CAPSULES PROJECT In this project you are going to travel back in time to the 18 th century in different English-speaking countries. So, fasten your seatbelts and LET’S GO!!!

Your mission is to make a time capsule so that future generations know about the lifestyle and the most relevant aspects of the 18 th century in these countries.

First of all, in groups you are going to adopt one of these roles: •

Role 1: An assistant to Thomas Jefferson in Philadelphia (the USA)

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Role 2: A black slave working in a plantation in South Carolina (the USA)

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Role 3: A housewife in London (England)

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Role 4: A sailor in Captain Cook’s ship (Australia)

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Role 5: A British soldier in Calcutta (India)

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Role 6: A Jacobite in Glasgow (Scotland)

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Role 7: A catholic farmer in (Ireland)

PROCESS You will need to fulfill the following tasks: Task 1: Research the time and place

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Use the Internet and the links in the RESOURCES section to research into the 18th century in each country.

Decide what the most relevant events, people, discoveries, etc. are.

Task 2: Choose the objects for the time capsule Think and decide what objects (representing the relevant events) you will include in your time capsule. Objects can be anything from art pieces to everyday objects.

You need to include 5 or more of the following: • • • • •

Everyday objets: clothes, jewels, coins, tools,weapons, personal letters, newspapers, etc.

Portraits of key characters: writers, scientists, explorers, philosophers, politicians, inventors, etc.

Inventions or discoveries related to science, geography or technology.

Novels, poems, famous quotations or historical documents Art pieces: paintings, sculptures, handicrafts, etc.

Task 3: Design the time capsule • • • •

Draw or find a photo of the container for your time capsule Find photos of the objects Write a short text for each object. Explain what it is, what it represents and why it is important for future generations (60 to 80 words) Use www.bannersnack.com to create a ‘banner’ of your time capsule. Include the images of the comtainer and the objects.

Task 4: Create an entry in your group’s blog • •

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Insert the banner Write an short text to introduce your time capsule:explain who you are, why you made this time capsule, what it is like to live in the 18th century in your country and anything else that you would like to say (100 words).

Put the photos and the texts of each object Tag the entry and publish it.

Task 5: Object for the exhibition time capsule Of all the objects in your time capsule, choose one to represent your group’s work in the capsule that will be on display in the 18th Century Exhibition Room Task 6: Oral presentation of the time capsules in class.

RESOURCES Here are some websites you can use: Lots of resources for all countries: World timelines: Who, What, When, Where...

Timeline of the British Empire and the world World 18th century timeline Historyworld 18th century in Wikipedia Historic Figures Timeline of inventors The USA The beginning of revolutionary thinking (several pages) 18th Century North America (The Boston Tea Party, Thomas Jefferson, etc.)

18th century North America timeline Interactive North America timeline Slavery The lives of slaves in South Carolina Slave life on the farm and in the town Life in the plantation South Slavery and the slave trade England Daily life in the 18th century British History Timeline 18th century timeline of Great Britain (Two pages) Women in the European Enlightment Australia 18th century Australia Australian History Captain Cook, Tupaia and Maori India: 18th century India Timeline of Indian History British East India company The Black hole of Calcutta Scotland The Scottish Enlightment The Act of Union 18th century in Scotland Ireland History of Ireland (1691–1801) Ireland in the 18th century The Great Irish Frost of 1740