Fort reflection:

Competencies: Communication

This project was about explorers and how they created forts. It showed how the forts were created and how it was sustainable. Our task is being to create a sustainable fort and have all the requirements of a regular fort. I decided to work in a group for this project and I think that I and my partner did a really good job overall and I’m happy about the overall product. I think that this connects to group work because I and my partner had to be vocal and talk a lot about the upcoming due dates and we made sure that we both set a timeline so we could have all our stuff handed in and at the best quality. I think to be in a successful group that you need to communicate and evenly share the work and I think that’s something that we did well. I think this was a good project to show group work because you relied on your partner on a lot and couldn’t do most of the stuff without talking.

I think that somethings that I did well are that I recognize that there are different points of view and I can disagree respectfully. I made sure that whenever my partner had a different idea or disagreed that I would hear her out. We would build off a lot of our ideas and would make them better. I think I also did a good job of presenting information clearly and in an organized way. I always make sure that my work is organized, and all the information is organized because it helps me keep track of all the deadlines. When I present, I make sure that all my work is prepared and practiced ahead of time. I can take on roles and responsibilities are in a group. Because I know that I must take responsibility to complete my work and if I don’t then my group will suffer and that’s not something I want to do. I give receive and act on feedback.  I think feedback is super important and helps you grow your learning so you can get better.

Somethings that I need to work on is I can represent and tell how it connects to my experiences and efforts. I think that I need to work on my reflecting on my work because I can tend to miss information and not put my work into enough detail, but I do think that I’ve gotten better because I think that this reflection does show my learning and give examples. I also need to work on presenting information and ideas to an audience I may not know. I get quite flustered and mumble a lot when sharing and I think that I could be a little more open. If I practice, then I think that it will get easier and that’s something that will really help me in the future.

Fort photo:

Fort write up:

• Why did you leave Europe to come to New France/Canada?

We left Europe because settlers were badly needed in New France. I was offered free passage on a ship, room and board, and a small wage. The promise of free land and plentiful fishing and hunting convinced me and many young farmers to try for a better life in New France. The sailors found New France while they were trying to find a route to India for spices and wealth such as diamonds and gold. But instead found New France full of fish and new opportunities to claim land.

• How are you going to survive, {what will you need to bring and do to survive?}

We will bring seeds to plant fruits and vegetables and guns and weapons to hunt and protect ourselves from attacks. We would bring salted fish or meat in barrels for the journey and beer or ale.  the early settlers brought axes, shovels, hammers, nails other tools, seed from English plants, and as many personal belongings as they could afford.  We would bring clothes and various animals such as cows, chickens, and sheep. We would bring enough food for the animals so that they could survive the journey and provide them with shelter in the fort so they could survive, and we would be able to have food for a long time.

• What are the potential dangers, obstructions, problems, etc. to your fort? 

An attack was very possible from the Huron because of their alliance with the English. We had to deal with other men getting very sick and getting scurvy leaving us with very few survivors to help with the fort. Rivals in England always trying to get more land and we had the British coming to New France in the hope to colonize.  Considering were close to a river there a problem that can happen is flooding that could ruin our crops and making us have little to no food for the year.

• Why did you choose the area to build your fort? What are the potential benefits to your fort due to its location? 

Because it’s far enough away from the major water like the ocean it’s easy to avoid any attacks. But close enough to be able to trade with the First Nations to get furs. It also has good fertile soil to grow crops for food. The benefits would be close enough that we could get to the water fast so we could easily trade. But we were far enough that we wouldn’t get easily attacked or seen by passing ships. There are lots of animals for hunting as well. There are a lot of animals around our fort which our good for hunting and mating with our animals so we will have lots of meat and resources for a long time.

• How does geography affect where/how your fort was located/built? 

I chose flat land so that we could easily build and somewhere that there weren’t a lot of trees, so it was easy to clear but still enough trees to gather resources. It was a good location for trading because we are far enough to avoid attacks but close enough to be able to trade.  We have good soil which is good for crops and making them grow properly. We are next to a river which could help us get freshwater and get fish or other resources that are in the river. We can also see the ocean which makes it easy to see if other sailors from Spain or France are coming to colonize or invade us.

Why are the people that are out in the wilderness trapping furs going to be attracted to trading with your fort?

Because we have guns and knives which we are willing to trade for furs. We know that they really want guns and knives and we have lots to trade for their furs. We have also made sure we keep an alliance with them so that they can’t go trade with anyone else and then we won’t trade with anyone else. It makes sure that we’re getting all the furs that we need and no one else can.  This gives us an advantage because they would learn to trust us, and we can keep trading with them so no one else can.

• How will your fort be self-sustainable?

We can grow crops and have animals nearby for easy hunting. We will trade with the aboriginals and make sure that we’re the only ones benefiting from them. We have a sturdy and strong fort that can hold down enemy attacks and we can see when other invaders are invading our colonies. I think that our fort will be able to sustain any attack. We will conquer more land. We will adapt to more of our surroundings and make sure that we have enough food and meat for years to come. Our fort will get stronger and be able to survive for years to come. We will work together and make sure that everyone is a helpful member to the fort.