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The USS Constitution Museum is a great resource for teaching the War of 1812. The “A Sailor’s Life for Me!” interactive was created by the USS Constiution to give students an idea of life on the ship. It is appropriate for middle school students and freshmen in high school. It is a fun way to learn about life as a member of the U.S.S. Constitution Crew.
Teacher Resource Slide
A teacher should complete the activity prior to sharing with the class. If a teacher determines it is an appropriate activity for the students, it is a good idea to create Google Slides presentation to introduce the activity. For all Google Slides, we recommend that the 1st slide should be a “Teacher Resource” page that includes links to the resources, such as worksheets or writing prompts. The teacher should also include notes on what went well with the lesson and areas for improvement.
Review and Introduction
We love to introduce the unit with an EXTEME Dot-To-Dot of Old Ironsides. This is a different way to introduce the unit.
Hangman
We also include a slide for two HANGMAN games before starting. The words for hangman are:
- USS Constitution: This introduces the students to the ship.
- Old Ironsides: This introduces the nickname that they will learn more about through this activity.
Hangman is a great way to engage the entire class. Students really enjoy an opportunity to play hangman, and it is a great way to make a connection to the lesson.
Navy Enlistment
If there are former students who serve in the Navy, create a slide for these people. It is a great way to honor the students and to reinforce the theme of continuity and change.
Another possible enrichment activity is to have the class write a letter to people they know in the military at the end of the unit.
Teacher Introduction “A Sailor’s Life for Me!”
Setting the Scene: We recommend that the teacher introduce the activity to the class by projecting A Sailor’s Life for Me! onto the board using a projector. Before reading the slide, remind the students that the goal is to INTERACT with the activity, so read all the information, analyze it closely, and process it.
Read the information to the class
Boston June 1812 “Come in and join the USS CONSTITUTION’S War of 1812 crew. All healthy, strong, and brave souls are welcome to apply. We will soon set sail against the enemy for “free trade and sailor’s rights.” This is your chance to serve your country and see if a sailor’s life is for you.”
Discussion: Explain impressment to the students. Try to make connections to current world events. Using the theme of continuity and change, remind students that every generation has individuals who serve our country in the military.
Scene Analysis: Take a minute to have students make observations about the picture. Pay particular attention to the sign above the door.
Student Worksheet
A student worksheet adds a little more accountability. It is is a great way to increase engagement and to help keep track of heath (hearts), promotion points (stars), money ($), and rank (boy, able seaman, gun captain). We will provide some ideas for teachers. A teacher can use the ones that work best for them.
After introducing the activity to the class, share the worksheet with the students and let them start their journey.
Enlist
This can be completed as a class. Another option is for a teacher to fly through the answers, so that the students will be able to complete them on their own later.
It is important for the teacher to explain the role of health and promotion.
- Health = hearts: Start with 3 hearts. “Your health – Don’t let it get too low.”
- Promotion = stars: Start with 0 stars. “Promotion Points – do good work and you’ll earn a higher rank (next 2 rank at 25 points)
How a student answers the questions will impact health and promotion points. The impact will have an impact on the game, so students should choose carefully.
Here are some possible worksheet questions students that can answer with a pen and pencil.
Boston, June 1812. Come in and join the USS CONSTITUTION’s War of 1812 crew. All healthy, strong, and brave souls are welcome to apply. We will soon set sail against the enemy for This is your chance to serve your country and see if a sailor’s life is for you.
Circle your response: The responses will impact THE POINTS YOU EARN!
#1 Health: Do you suffer from scurvy, rickets, or gout? Definitely! Not on your life!
What makes sailors ill?
#2 Promotion: Can you steer a huge ship in the dark? Definitely! Not on your life!
What helps with navigation in the dark? & .
#3 Promotion: Can you name all the sails, & say what each rope does? Definitely! Not on your life!
How many different ropes are used? .
#4 Health: Are you willing to sleep in a hammock next to 200 sailors Definitely! Not on your life!
who badly need baths?
What cannot be escaped? & of your shipmates.
#5 Health: Are you willing to eat biscuits as hard as bricks? Definitely! Not on your life!
Name the bread and describe it’s characteristics? .
#6 Health: Do you have all your fingers and toes? Definitely! Not on your life!
Why are hands and toes useful? .
#7 Promotion: Would you get dizzy adjusting a sail a hundred feet Definitely! Not on your life!
above deck?
What are TWO tasks of sailors? & .
Term for clothes .
When we completed the activity, we chose the best and worst answers. The feedback from the officer is different. The responses also significantly impact health and promotion.
Best Possible Responses: (4 hearts, 3 stars, $16) Hey, you are a natural sailor! Are you sure you have never been to sea before? I’m proud to have you aboard. You will join the crew as a” boy.” That’s the lowest rank. But you will still be a proper sailor, and you’ll soon be promoted to Ordinary Seaman if you work hard.
Worst Possible Responses: (2 hearts, -2 stars, $16) You’re better off ashore, mate! But I’m short of recruits, and I will take you on if you promise to shape up. You will join the crew as a” boy.” That’s the lowest rank. But you will still be a proper sailor, and you’ll soon be promoted to Ordinary Seaman if you work hard.”
Both Responses: We are giving you some of your pay in advance, but out of that you will need to buy your slops. That’s what we call your clothes, and everything else the Navy does not supply.”
Pack your Sea Bag Each student will need to buy the bare necessities for life at sea. Sailors can return to the purser several times during the game. Encourage the students to really think about the purchases, specifically looking at how the items will impact health and comfort.
Some required items: Hat, shoes, jacket, vest, shirt, pants, underwear Must puechase required items (Double Click the item to purchase it.)
Price (impact) Items Description
$20.00 Fine Jacket Expensive, but well made of good cloth
$16.00 Wool trousers Heavy cloth, stong, keeps you warm
$12.00 Wool Vest Strong cloth, keeps you warm
$12.00 Flannel Shirt Warm, and lasts a long time
$8.00 Glazed Hat Stong, stiff, and waterproof
$8.00 Fine Shoes Expensive, but well made
$5.00 Coarse Jacket Less expensive, but badly made of cheaper cloth
$2.00 Linen Vest Not regulation wear, bu fancy
$2.00 Linen shirt Cool, but wears out quickly
$2.00 Duck Trousers Light fabric, wears out quickly
$2.00 Underwear Everyone needs underwear
$2.00 (2 stars) Knife For cutting rope and dinner
$1.50 (1 star) Fine Comb Get lice out of hair, small teeth
$1.50 (½ heart) Soap Needed to keep clean (1 time use)
$1.00 (½ heart) Tea Luxury, but good on a cold day at sea (1 time use)
$1.00 (½ heart) Sugar Good for sweetening tea & chocolate (1 time use)
$1.00 Wool Felt Hat Cheap, easily crushed or destroyed by water
$1.00 (1 star) Coarse Shoes Inexpensive, but will fall apart quickly
$1.00 (1 star) Needles For sewing and repairing clothes
$1.00 1 star) Thread For sewing and repairing clothes
Luxury items are stored in the top right corner. [When an item is consumed, it adds to the score and disappears]
- Tea: How special! (Click to drink)
- Sugar: Delicious and sweet. (Click to eat)
- Chocolate: How special! (Click to eat)
- Soap: Good for cleaning, good for making friends. (Click to use)
Choices: Throughout the game, each student will be presented with situations that will require a decision. The decisions will have an impact on the adventure.
Charity: “Sad to see ol’ Will tipped overboard this afternoon, eh? Come on let’s have some silver for his wife and two young ‘uns.” Choices: Donate $1.00 or Don’t Donate
Health and Money: Good evening sailor! Will you be taking grog or 50 cents this fine evening? (Grog – ¼ heart)
Daily Schedule and Tasks: The daily schedule of a member of the U.S.S. Constitution is very regular.
- Morning Watch 4:00 AM – 8:00 AM (Reveille, Muster, Holystoning)
- Forenoon Watch 8:00 AM – Noon (Breakfast, Gun Drill)
- Afternoon Watch noon – 4:00
- 1st Dog Watch 4:00PM – 6:00 PM (Supper, Sweep Deck)
- Last Dog Watch 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Leisure Time
- 1st watch 8:00 PM to Midnight:
Each sailor will be required to complete the tasks. Based on performance, each sailor can earn promotion points. Most tasks are simple. The removal of the chamber pot is a little gross, but hit ighlights the reality of life on a ship.
Holystoning (The Waist): Day #1
“A dirty deck is a sign of a good-for-nothing crew, so get down on your knees with the others, boy. That block of stone is a ”prayer book,” but this is no chapel. You use it to scrub the deck – with the help of sand and water.
Scrubbing the deck is a skill. Like any skill, it takes practice. One tip is to take a break to increase your energy. There are THREE full boards you can complete. Click amd drag your mouse to scrub. Avoid obstacles, especially officers. You’ll earn one promotion point for a section cleaned. 3 sections / 30 seconds
Feedback:
1 star: “A good effort – but you need to take more care in the corners.”
2 stara: “You have worked hard at this. We shall make a sailor out of you in no time.”
Forenoon Watch 8:00 AM – Noon (Breakfast, Gun Drill) Day #1
“Well, what have we got here? You look like a fit young lad, and we could certainly do with your help! You can be our powder monkey, and keep this ’ere gun supplied with what we need to blast the English to kingdom come!
Your task, lad, is to scurry down to the magazine, two decks below, and fetch us up powder, one cartridge at a time. Don’t trip over anything, and watch out for stray cannonballs – and officers.”
Day #1 Gun Drill Tips: Use the arrow keys to move. Use the space bar to jump. Avoid obstacles. The goal is to complete the tasks as quickly as possible.
Feedback: Powder Run Done! “Keep that pace up, lad, and we shall never run short of powder.” (3 stars one trip)
Afternoon Watch noon – 4:00 Day #1
Officer’s Servant (The Wardroom) Be steady
“Ah! good lad, right on time, and just when we need you! You can empty this chamber pot: it’s full to the brim. Don’t spill it, mind, or you’ll put us all off our meal.”
Directions “Keep the chamber pot from spilling, if you can! and try not to trip on those boxes.”
Distance to Head: 20 hearts and (5) Xs
Feedback:
“Well done! You’ve delivered the chamber pot and emptied it into the sea.”
Stars depend on how close you get to the head
1 star “Oops. You have spilled too many times. Done serving officers( for today)!”
2 stars
3 stars “Task Complete! You’re done serving officers for today!”
4 stars
Yesterday a midshipman overheard one of your men plotting to roll a cannonball down a companionway onto the master-at-arms. Whoever it was shall be court-martialled!
Tell me the lubber’s name of every one of you will suffer a penalty.
Option #1 It was Mister Cooper (3 stars)
Option #2 I do not know who did such a thing. (2 stars)
Feedback: You have nothing to say? Curse you man! I’m sure you know who did it! Your companions may slap you on the back for holding your tongue, but the captain won’t. Your chances of promotion are now slender indeed.
1st Dog Watch 4:00PM – 6:00 PM (Supper Sweep Deck) Day #1
The Mess Every sailor on Constitution is part of a 12-strong family called a mess. Messmates are not related, but they are as close as brothers. Each mealtime, they gather in the same spot on the berth deck, spread out a cloth, and sit around it cross-legged to share their food. (EAT = ½ heart)
Last Dog Watch 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Leisure Time Click the cup to roll the dice.
Leisure Time Work feels almost every minute of a sailor’s day, but from time to time, the strict routine slackens a little. Then Constitution’s men relaxed together on the forecastle. It’s a chance to tell a tall story or throw dice in a secret (and forbidden) gambling game.
Another month passes, and you earn $8 in wages. You now have $8 in your savings.
Holystoning (The Waist): Day #2:
Good to see you lad! Ready for more scrubbing? (Still one board)
Feedback: I like a sailor who takes pride in his work! Here is the holystone; off you go. (Still only one board)
“Sad to see ol’ Will tipped overboard this afternoon, eh? Come on let’s have some silver for his wife and two young ‘uns.
Choice #1 Donate $1.00
Choice #2 Don’t Donate
Forenoon Watch 8:00 AM – Noon (Breakfast, Gun Drill) Day #2
Good lad. You’re back to lend a hand with the gun. You know the ropes, now, so off with you down to the magazine.
Feedback: Powder Run Done! “Keep that pace up, lad, and we shall never run short of powder.” (3 stars one trip)
Afternoon Watch noon – 4:00 Day #2
Officer’s Servant (The Wardroom)
Here he is now gentlemen! We were just talking about you, boy, and up you pop. Here, take this chamber pot and empty it in the head. Take care, it’s a precious cargo you’re carrying.
Feedback: “Well done! You’ve delivered the chamber pot and emptied it into the sea.”
1st Dog Watch 4:00PM – 6:00 PM (Supper Sweep Deck) Day #2
EAT = ½ heart
Last Dog Watch 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Forecastle Leisure Time: Day #2
Pssst! Sailor! Wanna to have some fun? And win some money? We’re playing Going to Boston, and you could throw the dice, too. Come on! You will pick up the rules in the snap! (Play Dice / Shop at Purser / Continue)
Play Dice ($1, $2, $5, $10) Whoa! You did well, buddy. you took dick for a sucker. I will think twice before I play dice with you! You have won $1.
Sailor invites you to play “Going to Boston”
At the start of the game, place your bet. T okay guys this is waste LaBelle okhen at your turn:
- Click the cup to gather the dice, shake it and release to throw 3 dice.
- Click the die with the highest number to set it aside.
- Throw the other 2 dice and take the highest number, setting it aside that die.
- Throw the last die and take that number.
- Add up the 3 numbers for your throw total.
- Highest score after 3 rounds wins.
Win $1, Win $2
Call that a knife, man? It couldn’t cut a straw, let alone a rope. Get down to the purser. He’ll send you a real knife.
When shopping at the purser, the sailor should consider health and promotion points when making purchases. Students can choose to purchase other goods as well.
Middle Watch: Midnight – 4:00: Sleep
Boy Another month passes, and you earn $8 in wages. You now have $8 in your savings. (The amount in savings will vary based on the decisions of the student.)
1st Battle
There’s a ship on the horizon. Prepare for battle!
“Ships Ahoy” This cry from the Masthead alerts the crew to a distant sail. It is the British frigate Guerriere. Within three hours to two ships are close enough to open fire with their cannons, and a battle begins that will make the Constitution famous.
At first the gunfire has little effect. When an English cannon ball bounces off Constitution’s Timbers, a seamen cries “Huzza! Her sides are made of iron!”… and earns the ship her famous nickname.
The battle grows fiercer when Captain Hull sails closer to Guerriere. Pounding broadsides from the Constitution’s skilled crews brings down the English ship’s mizzen mass and the two vessels collide. Their rigging tangles and crews clash with musket fire.” (Midst Battle)
The battles on now! Bring us powder as quickly as you can. (Complete the task)
When the ship separates Guerriere’s, other two masts crash overboard. Crippled and helpless, the English ship fires a single gun to signal defeat. (Midst Battle)
When the battle ends, the two sides count the cost. Because the Constitution’s gunners aimed low, Guerriere is full of holes and sinking. Her captain comes aboard and surrenders. Captain Hull orders the rest of the crew aboard his ship, and sets Guerriere on fire. (After Battle)
As the flames take hold, surgeons from both ships take work side-by-side on the casualties. For some it’s too late: the battles has claimed seven American and 15 British lives. But first aid helps save Constitution’s seven wounded and more than 10 times as many from Guerriere. (Cockpit after Battle)
Promotion: Well done, lad! Your gun Captain tells me you did a magnificent job for one so young and inexperienced. I am more than delighted to promote you to the rank of ordinary seaman.
CREATIVE WRITING Journal Entry:
Timed in-class writing is a great way to have students focus. A teacher can determine the appropriate amount of time. We like to pick between seven and ten minutes.
You are ready to begin your adventure as a sailor on the USS Constitution. Write a journal entry about your experiences so far.
Journal writing is an effective tool to personalize the learning experience. Students can be creative in their responses. Here is a sample of a few prompts
Be creative and realistic.
- Decision: Explain the TWO most important reasons for deciding to join the Navy. Explain how prepared you feel to serve in the Navy. What do you think will be the biggest challenges?
- Challenges & Fears: What are your biggest fears? How much do you think you miss your family? What are you most excited about being a sailor on the USS Constitution?
- Daily Life: Describe your days. Include some of the tasks you completed. Evaluate your performance. Explain how you complete the tasks (stars earned). Describe your favorite and least favorite tasks.
- Battle: Describe what it was like to be in the battle. What were your emotions? How did the rest of the crew react? Why was it more challenging to get the ammunition in the heat of the battle? What was it like when the Guerriere surrendered?
This is the halfway point of the adventure.
Final Screen Shot
When a student finishes the activity, they should take a screenshot. This is good for the students to review and use for the final journal entry. The information in the screenshot will include.
Students might not be
Top Right Hand corner
- Health (hearts) 4
- Promotion (stars) 122
- Rank: Able Seaman
Right side
- Money
- Rounds: 10
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