In “The Great Shellfish Bay,” students experience historical encounters in the bay from two different perspectives: an English explorer and a local Algonquian-speaking person. Their point of entry is a primary source, a 1671 map of the Chesapeake Bay created by English cartographer John Ogilby called the “Nova Terrae-Mariae Tabula.” Students will notice that the bay is oriented on its side — a common feature of Maryland maps made for mariners approaching from the Atlantic Ocean.
Students will select each map point to read a personal reflection from one of the two perspectives, then continue to learn more about each feature or location, both in the 1600s and today. This interactive invites students to think about our relationship with the environment and how it has changed since the time of the founding of Maryland. Use the Teaching Tips and support materials to guide your classroom implementation.