Georgia SS8H2.b

Social Studies8th GradeGeorgia Studies

The Standard

Analyze the relationship between James Oglethorpe, Tomochichi, and Mary Musgrove in establishing the city of Savannah at Yamacraw Bluff.

Georgia Standards of Excellence for Social Studies · Analyze the colonial period of Georgia's history.

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students explain the part each person played in the negotiations at Yamacraw Bluff. They show how leadership, diplomacy, and interpretation worked together to support the new settlement.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students identify Oglethorpe as the colonial leader, Tomochichi as the Yamacraw leader and diplomatic partner, and Musgrove as the interpreter and cultural broker. They explain how each person depended on the others.
Common Misconceptions: Students may claim Oglethorpe founded Savannah alone or that Tomochichi simply surrendered the land. They may treat Musgrove as a word-for-word translator and miss her influence in explaining customs and intentions.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Explain how Musgrove made cooperation between Oglethorpe and Tomochichi possible, then name one result of that cooperation.

Lesson moves

Give groups a bluff map, action cards, and three name cards, then have them match each action to the correct person.
Have students defend which person’s absence would have most changed the settlement, using two historical facts.
Run a three-column sorting relay with cards such as interpreted, led settlers, welcomed newcomers, explained customs, and negotiated access.
Compare the partnership to a local planning meeting involving a developer, community leader, and bilingual liaison, then identify matching responsibilities.

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