Curated OER
Thanksgiving Day 1621; What Really Happened?
Third graders read "The Plymouth Thanksgiving Story" by Chuck Larsen. They discuss their prior knowledge of Thanksgiving history and question traditional views. They consider that there are always two or more sides to a story.
Curated OER
Henry Spelman: The Powhatan Indians' English Boy
Sixth graders read and analyze narrative writing by and about Henry Spelman, a boy-laborer who helped settle Jamestown. They read biographical information, discuss the harsh conditions, and write a narrative piece on Henry's experiences.
Curated OER
Trade Trials Treaties
Fourth graders explore the trade relationships that existed in the late 1700's Colonial America. In this American history instructional activity, 4th graders examine English and Cherokee trade treaties by reviewing primary and...
Curated OER
Ancient Gold Working
Students create a sculpture inspired by the masks, pendants, or human and animal forms found in ancient Indian art of the Americas. They focus on the techniques of metalworking, especially repousse.
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
Early English Settlements History Detectives
Young historians play the role of history detectives as they investigate some primary source texts and images related to the early colonization of America, The Jamestown Settlement, and the Mayflower Compact.Â
Curated OER
The Living Museum: George Washington, the Slave Owner
Eighth graders bring early America to life. In this George Washington lesson, 8th graders listen to a lecture about the first president, explore the relationships he had with his slaves, and research the backgrounds of some of his...
Curated OER
ROAD TO REVOLUTION
Students explain how England's Glorious Revolution affected the colonies and investigate how the Great Awakening and Enlightenment affected the colonies. Students determine how the outcome of the French and Indian war affected N. America...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Understanding the Salem Witch Trials
Middle schoolers describe some of the important elements of life in Puritan New England. They create a timeline of the events of the Salem Witch Trials. They work in groups to explore the concept of multiple interpretations of history.
Curated OER
Boston Spies' Report on the Redcoats
Students collect information about British actions in Boston and send it by secret message to leaders in Philadelphia.
Manchester University
The History of the First Thanksgiving
First graders complete a project about the first Thanksgiving. In this history lesson plan, 1st graders read The Pilgrim's First Thanksgiving, answer comprehension questions, and complete a booklet about the first Thanksgiving.
Curated OER
The Pocahontas Show
Eleventh graders complete background reading of Europeans and the Native American Indians. They work in groups and represent an area of European colonization and create a "character" to represent their colonists on a class talk show....
Curated OER
French and Indian War
Fourth graders engage in activities that familiarize them with the causes of the French and Indian War. They discuss the problem that started the war, the countries involved, and the effects to come about as a result of the French and...
Curated OER
Language Arts: Native Americans and Onomatopoeias
Fifth graders read the Native American tale, "The Frog and the Crane," focusing on the use of onomatopoeia in it. In groups, they brainstorm list of words that are examples of the device. Finally, 5th graders write their own stories...
Curated OER
A Share in America
Students examine map - reflect on why English colonist kept coming to America (scarcity of land in England / seemingly endless land in America)
Recite line from English poem. They discuss English attitude towards Indians and their lands.
Library of Virginia
Antebellum Freedom
From indentured servitude to involuntary race-based servitude, slavery has taken many forms in American history. Class members examine three manumission petitions that reveal how the rights of African Americans and African American...
Curated OER
Learning from the Past: A New Approach
Young scholars research nonprofit organizations. As they research, they learn how those living in the colonial period formed community organizations to provide for the common good of their society. Each pupil chooses one organization to...
Curated OER
Disney's Pocahontas: Fact or Fiction?
Did you know that Pocahontas was 12 when Jamestown was established? Did you know that she later married John Rolfe? Did you know that she lived in London for two years? Did you know that she died of small pox? Class members study the...
Curated OER
State of Affairs Between the Native Americans and the European Settlers
Students examine relationship and contact between Native Americans and European Settlers, using primary sources.
Curated OER
The Jamestown Colony
In this Jamestown Colony learning exercise, students read a 2 page article on the colony, answer 3 questions with multiple choice answers, fill in 5 blanks to complete 5 facts and determine if 3 statements are true or false.
Curated OER
VA History Mini-quiz -- Jamestown and Charters
In this Virginia history worksheet, students examine their knowledge of Jamestown and its charters for settlement as they answer 15 multiple choice questions.
Curated OER
America: 1763-1776
In this online interactive history instructional activity, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about the United States between the years 1763 and 1776.
Curated OER
Bartering Through the Seasons
Fifth graders explore bartering. In this bartering lesson, 5th graders investigate bartering between the American colonies. Students study the climate and geography of neighboring colonies and investigate crops native to each area.
Curated OER
Thanksgiving - A Focus on Clothing
Students focus on the types of clothing that the Pilgrims and the Wampanoags wore for the First Thanksgiving. They study how the clothing was made before making samples to wear at a classroom Thanksgiving feast. They study the natural...
Curated OER
Pocahontas
Students, after studying about Pocahontas, identify ways they can deal fairly with others. Given various scenarios, students demonstrate proper social skills. They describe their contributions of peace to their family, school and community.