American Centuries

Pocumtuck Valley
Memorial Association

American Centuries > Lessons > History Lessons By Teachers > Beavers and Trade

Beavers and Trade

Details

Author
Maureen Keating
Topic/Subject Area
Commerce, Business, Trade, Consumerism
Historical Era
Colonial settlement, 1620–1762, Revolutionary America, 1763–1783
Grade Level
Elementary (K–5), Middle School (6–8)
Creation Date
2004
Last Revision Date
2024

Related items

About This Lesson

Summary and Objective

To learn about the trade between Native Americans and English settlers during the Colonial Period, the students will be asked to read and decipher a 1703 broadside, listing trade goods with prices in beaver. Beaver pelts were highly valued in England, where they were used in the making of hats. The students will understand that the beaver set the standard for trade in a similar way to today’s dollar. They will discover that different animal furs and feathers were accepted in trade, but were measured in beaver. Working in small cooperative learning groups, the children will complete question sheets to demonstrate their comprehension of the material. This will be followed up by viewing several items from the digital collection on the American Centuries Website. The class will discuss how each of the selected items related to the beaver trade.

Materials & Resources

Collection Items:
Other:

Teaching Plan

  1. Make copies of the Broadside – “July 14th. 1703. Prices of Goods,” and the Vocabulary List for the broadside. at:These resources may also be found by going to “In The Classroom” from the main menu, clicking on “The Lessons of 1704,” Lesson #1: “The Pocumtucks in Deerfield.” Scroll to “Materials” and click on #8 for the 1703 Broadside. (Click on “Printable Version”.) Then scroll down to “Other” and click on #4 for the “Vocabulary List” and #5 for “Indian and English Trade Goods.”
  2. Distribute questions sheets. Questions to discuss are: 1. What goods were traded? 2. What other animals and things would equal a beaver for use in trade? 3. Why might these trade goods be desired by the Native Americans? 4. How might this trade change the everyday lives of Native Americans?
  3. Tell the children that during colonial times animal furs were very valuable in Europe, especially beaver pelts, which were used for making hats.
  4. Divide the class into small cooperative learning groups. Review rules and group jobs, if you have them. Next, pass out the Broadside.
  5. In order for the children to be able to read the Broadside, it will be helpful for them to know that the letter “s” was sometimes written like an “f.” Have them practice reading the document.
  6. To enhance their understanding, give out copies of the “Vocabulary List” that accompanies the Broadside, the sheet listing “Indian and English Trade Goods” and the question sheet for them to complete.
  7. After groups have answered the questions, show them the Tricorn Hat, Flintlock Musket, Shot Pouch, Bake Kettle, Iron Axe, Ottersckin Bag, and Glass Beads from the American Centuries Website (see Materials & Resources section).
  8. Lead a class discussion in which the children evaluate the items in terms of their role in The Beaver Trade.