One of the main reason for exploring the world was to trade goods with the natives of the land discovered. But how could they do this if they were not able to verbally communicate with each other? Blanket, or silent trade, was a method whereby two different language speaking groups were able to trade without the need for speech.
I challenged the children to set up their own blanket trade, researching it first and then acting one out, without the use of speech or sign language. T13 decided he would direct and take photos, whilst L12 was a native and C12 was a Spaniard. They gathered props (dress up and goods to trade) and narrated as they went along:
And that is how one conducts a blanket trade (although (my) pink crocs are not an absolute requirement to have a successful trade).
How do I love this, let me count the ways….
So much loving this activity and the explanation.
Lol! Thank you Ticia!
So neat! The kids did a great job demonstrating this!
Thanks Marie!
Oh, how fun! Katie was once in a play that featured a Potlatch trade, which seems to be very similar.
I’ve never heard of that before. I shall have to look it up!