Curated OER
From Rags to (Paper) Riches: Explore Colonial Papermaking
Students explore Colonial papermaking. In this Colonial America U.S. history lesson, students analyze two poems written in the 1690s about the Rittenhouse paper mill to learn about papermaking. Students produce their own...
Curated OER
Rules, Rules, Rules
Fourth graders create their classroom rules. For this Mayflower Compact lesson, 4th graders listen to the Plymouth story and learn about the Mayflower Compact. Students analyze the Mayflower Compact and create a class compact...
Curated OER
The Declaration of Independence
Students examine the Declaration of Independence. In this colonial America lesson, students read literature regarding the document as well as excerpts of the document itself. Students also perform a Reader's Theatre script based on the...
Curated OER
Colonial America: Causes of the American Revolution
Fourth graders analyze colonial rule and policies with regard to the causes of the American Revolution. For this Colonial America simulation lesson, 4th graders role play in an Independence Game, reacting to a variety of "events" that...
Curated OER
Simulation: The King's Candy
Learners examine the British tax laws in Colonial America. In this U. S. history lesson, students participate in a simulation that replicates the taxes levied by the British.
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Barter Day
Fourth graders understand the process of bartering. In this barter day instructional activity, each student barters an item in their desk with another student. All items are returned at the end of the activity and it is important to tell...
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No Choice!
Young scholars investigate freedom. In this character development and U.S. history lesson, students participate in role playing in which the teacher assigns recess restrictions including whom they play with and what they play. Young...
Curated OER
Volunteering Requires Freedom of Choice
Students explore ways to volunteer. In this volunteerism and philanthropy lesson, students brainstorm how the early Americans benefited from philanthropy, then discuss how others benefit from our philanthropy and how we choose ways to...
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Colonial America
In this KWL chart worksheet, students explore colonial America. Students fill out the three columns, what I know, what I want to learn, and what I have learned as they study colonial America.
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Common Good in Colonial America
Students research the historical foundation of philanthropic organizations. In this values and history lesson, students brainstorm paid and unpaid jobs available today, and work in groups to research the types of charitable...
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Sad Seasick Sailors
Students role play the voyage on the Mayflower. In this United States history lesson, students play the parts of Pilgrims and sailors and discuss how to solve various conflicts during the "journey."
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Revolutionary War, Timeline and Causes
Third graders explore important events leading up to the Revolutionary War. In this Revolutionary War lesson, 3rd graders work in pairs to research dates and important events prior to the Revolutionary War. Class discussion is followed...
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Johnny Tremain/Boston Tea Party
Fifth graders understand chronological order of events. In this Boston Tea Party instructional activity, 5th graders compare the events surrounding the Boston Tea Party to current times. Students learn vocabulary and customs of the...
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Abigail Adams: Integrating Social Studies and Language Arts
Third graders increase reading strategies while learning about Abigail Adams and her role in history. In this Abigail Adams lesson, 3rd graders read about the American Revolution and Abigail Adams using all the balanced literacy...
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Understanding Loyalist Vs. Revolutionary Ideology
Students understand some causes of the American Revolution. Students learn the viewpoints of the loyalists and the American Revolutionaries. Students learn a timeline of facts which they use to compare and contrast the views of the...
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Life on Plymouth Plantation
Third graders research life of Plymouth Plantation and write letters about life there home. In this Plymouth life lesson, 3rd graders complete a webquest as they gather information about the journey to America on the Mayflower and the...
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Jamestown's Economy
Students identify items made in Jamestown and draw conclusions about their economy. In this Jamestown economy lesson, students use the internet to complete a worksheet which required them to look at photographs of goods made in and...
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English Settlements in North America, A Royal Charter from the King
Fifth graders develop a colony to be evaluated by the teacher in the role of a "Royal Inspector". In this social studies lesson plan, 5th graders design aspects of a successful society by planning forms of government, politics, and an...
Curated OER
A Royal Charter From the King
Fifth graders explore the many decisions that early colonist had to make when coming to North America. For this royal charter lesson plan, 5th graders work in teams to create a proposal for the King of England to establish a new colony...
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Colonial Customs
Young scholars experience Colonial life and explore the customs of the 17th century. In this colonial America lesson plan, students play dress up, barter items, author pledges, and review 17th century etiquette.
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Pilgrims
In this pilgrims instructional activity, students read facts about the history of the Pilgrims beginning during the early 1600's and ending with the first Thanksgiving. Students answer thirteen short answer questions.
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Comparisons
In this making comparisons in history activity, students read 8 statements. Students put a C after statements that refer only to Columbus's voyage. Students put a P for those that refer only to the Pilgrims, a B for those that refer to...
Curated OER
Spanish Influence on United States Currency: The Origins of the "Dollar"
Sixth graders research the Spanish influence on early colonial America and the process of establishing the present U.S. currency. They read and discuss an informational handout in small groups, and take a short quiz. Students then...
Scholastic
Make a Mini Mayflower
Students discover the importance and history behind the Thanksgiving feast. Using walnut shells and toothpicks, they construct models of the Mayflower and simulate giving them to the Native Americans for helping the Pilgrims survive.