The 1604 Teacher Trunks includes:
- Teacher’s Guide (French and English versions)
This 40-page guide has five units: Keeping a Journal, European Exploration & Settlement, The Meeting of Two Worlds, St. Croix Island: Survival & Adaptation, and St. Croix Island’s Legacy: Acadia & New France. It provides many activities, describes associated trunk resources, identifies learning outcomes, and makes suggestions for extended study.
- Historical Background (French and English versions)
This 13-page reference puts the St. Croix settlement in context with other early North American explorations. It describes Europe and the First Peoples of the St. Croix area at the time of 1604, describes the people and the life of the St. Croix settlement, and concludes with the settlement’s legacy. A bibliography is provided.
- Excerpts from the Journals of Samuel de Champlain (Old French and English)
This 35-page narrative contains excerpts from Champlain’s personal diary, with English translation and modern footnotes. Champlain gives a vivid account of life on the tiny island.
- Champlain’s map of the St. Croix Settlement
This large, laminated map depicts the settlement and identifies the buildings on St. Croix Island. It is a key reference in the trunk.
- Resource Binder
A three-ring binder filled with resources and inventory information to assist the teacher in successfully conducting the activities outlined in the Teacher’s Guide. It includes laminated historical photos and images of First Nations and French material culture. It also includes originals of student activity sheets such as maps, journal pages, and templates for photocopying.
- Miniature Flags
The flags of England, France, and Spain represent the imperial ambitions of the three European nations. Curriculum materials help students to understand why each of these nations wanted to colonize North America.
- Spices and Pyrite
Cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, pepper, and cloves suggest the spice trade and the search for a shortcut to the Orient. Pyrite (“fool’s gold”) suggests the riches and potential mineral wealth of the New World.
- Beaver Pelt
The focus of a lucrative fur trade, in high demand for fashionable hats in Europe.
- Wooden Cross
Symbolizing the desire of the imperial nations to convert the First Peoples to Christianity.
- First Nations Reference Books and Audio Cassettes
Two reference books (Passamaquoddy Maliseet Reference Book and Maine Indians, A Brief Summary: The People of the Early Dawn) help students to understand native culture and language. Three cassette tapes, prepared by Passamaquoddy tribal elders, teach the listener to pronounce the words in the first reference.
- French Wooden Shoe and Passamaquoddy Moccasin
These suggest the difference in clothing worn by the two cultures and prompt discussion about the adaptations to different environments.
- Passamaquoddy Birch Bark Container and Ceramic French Cider Mug
These symbolize the different materials available to each culture and prompt discussion about how resources affect the development of cultural traits.
- A Videotape Adventure (French and English versions)
This 10-minute videotape, produced by Parks Canada, follows two children who slip through a time portal to talk with Champlain about the hard winter at St. Croix in 1604 and the year that followed at Port Royal.
The St. Croix 1604 Interpretive Trunk contains a total of 30 items.
