Impact of Whaling on Colonial New England’s Economy

1. Materials:
• 22 Whaling Introduction Packets
• 22 Soap Bars
• 22 Paper Clip Soap Carvers
• Paper Towel Sheets
• Prop Materials
o Scrimshaw Carved Canteen
o Whale Candles
o Whaling Ship Model
2. Outcomes:
• Students will be able to describe the impact whaling had on the
development of colonial America’s economy – MA-SS-Economics 6 &7
• Students will be able to discuss the art of scrimshaw and be able to
create their own “scrimshaw” soap carvings.
• Students will read grade level appropriate materials with
comprehension – MA-ELA 7.9
3. Introduction:
• Teacher will motivate the students by beginning the lesson by
introducing whaling props set up in front of the classroom. A quick
discussion about the props will follow.
• As a class we will have a brief review of previous Social Studies lessons
on colonial America, fishing and shipping.
4. Procedure:
• Teacher will introduce whaling as a major part of colonial America’s
economy and the important role it played in early New England’s
economic development.
• Teacher will pass out Whaling Packets to each student
• Volunteers will be picked to read the entire packet aloud to the class
making sure to follow the proper procedures for oral reading (tone,
stopping at punctuation). Students are to sit up straight in their seats
and have their finger on the text, following along with the oral reading.
• Teacher will lead class in an open discussion of the importance of
whaling in the development of New England’s economy as well as how
it must have felt being a sailor and living on a whaling ship. (What did
sailors do to help pass their free time?)
• Teacher will introduce the art of scrimshawing – carving of whale teeth
and bones by sailors.
• Teacher will tell students that they will be making their own form of
scrimshaw by carving soap. Teacher will model to students a premade
scrimshaw soap model and go over step by step directions on how
students are to make their own scrimshaw carving.
• Student volunteers will be asked to distribute paper towels, soap and
paperclip carving tool to each student.
• Students will draw an ocean themed sketch on their paper towel that
they will carve in their soap. Using this drawing as a reference, student
will begin to carve out their images in the soap.
 • Students will carve their initials in the back of the soap to mark their
own work. Students will place their bars at the Kitchen Nook.
5. Conclusion:
• Students will gather up soap scrapings and other materials and a
volunteer student will walk around with a trash can to clean up the
classroom.
6. Assessment:
• Students will be assessed on their ability to follow along with the class
oral readings as well as participation in whole class discussions.
• Students will be assessed on their ability to follow directions to create
their own scrimshaw soap carvings.
7. Accommodations:
• Students will have models and visual representations of whaling
products and materials.
• Reading will be done as a class to support all reading levels within the
classroom.
• Teacher will be available to help students who need further assistance
with their scrimshaw soap carvings.