Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Was the Stamp Act Fair?

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Elementary and middle schoolers examine and evaluate different perspectives concerning events leading to the American Revolution. In this case, they hone in on the Stamp Act. They research controversial bills, laws, or events of the time...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Colonial Life in the Late 1700s: Distant Cousins

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research how early colonists lived. They investigate late 17th century colonist's lives from Massachusetts and Delaware. Using their research, students write historical fiction in the form of friendly letters between the two...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comparison of American Colonies

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Learners explore the lifestyles of the American colonies. They conduct various activities according to their grade level including jigsaw research and creating a poster. Lesson includes primary source readings related to the topic.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Empire in the Balance

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders investigate the role of New York state during the American Revolution. In small groups, they research a particular region within colonial America, analyze primary source documents, complete Document Analysis Sheets, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Colonial Life in the Late 1700s: Distant Cousins

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore daily life and its influences in the late 1700s for two families in different colonies- Delaware and Massachusetts by becoming historical detectives. After gathering information from artifacts to make inferences about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jamestown's Economy

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Pupils examine goods made and used by Native Americans and colonists at Jamestown. They complete a worksheet noting characteristics of the objects. They answer questions to make generalizations about scarcity and trade.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Can't You Make Them Behave, King George?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders describe the changes in King George III's policy toward the American colonies by sequencing key events between the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. They explain the colonial reactions to command decisions...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jamestown's Economy

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students identify items made in Jamestown and draw conclusions about their economy. In this Jamestown economy activity, students use the internet to complete a worksheet which required them to look at photographs of goods made in and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Know Your 13 Colonies

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders study the thirteen colonies.  In this American History lesson, 7th graders analyze the historical origins and economic development of each colony.  Students create an original flag for a colony that reflects the...
Lesson Plan
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media

Differences Among Colonial Regions

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Classes look at and analyze primary source images to explore the differences between the colonial regions during the Revolutionary era. They break into groups to tackle each region and then present their findings to the class. A final...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Role of African Slaves on South Carolina Rice Plantations

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the role of African American slaves in rice plantations. In this slave life instructional activity, 4th graders discuss the products produced in the 13 colonies. Students discuss the importance of rice to South...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comparison of Colonial Regions in British North America

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers compare and contrast the colonies in British North America. As a class, they brainstorm a list of people, places and ideas associated with the Colonial Era. They discover the relationships and interactions between the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How did Geography Affect the Economy of the Colonies

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the impact of geography on a region. In this geography lesson, 8th graders study the themes of geography. Students write an open response to a question.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Colonial Currency

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders develop a common currency. In this colonial currency lesson plan, 5th graders exchange beads, rice, coins, and paper bills for goods and services. Students explore web tools to research ways colonists used money, even if it...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

From Riches to Rice

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders identify and locate Africa, the United States, the Original 13 colonies, and the region of West Africa on a map. They list examples of culture and African American culture. Students link the culture of West Africa with the...
Lesson Plan
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media

Patriots or Traitors - Point of View in the War for Independence

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Patriots or traitors? Class members analyze images that present widely differing views of the Boston Tea Party, identifying the point of view of the image, the propaganda devices used, and the intended audience.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bossy Britain Upsets Colonists

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine the causes of dissatisfaction that led to the American Revolution. Then they make a Flap Vocabulary Book and glue on a map of the thirteen colonies and make a title page called "Road to War in it." Students also...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Adventure Begins: "Boys I Believe I Have Found a Gold Mine!"

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students view and discuss historical documents regarding Native Americans and Californians prior to the gold rush in the 1940's. They complete a variety of activities designed to show what they have learned from these sources and class...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Into the Wild: Settling the South Carolina Backcountry

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders select their own plot of land in the Backcountry to settle in the 1700s in SC.  Students first find a point for settlement and sketch out the best route from the Lowcountry to arrive at the point.  They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The First World War

For Teachers 8th - 11th
In this World War I worksheet, students review a chapter as they match 5 men to their accomplishments, read 5 false statements then make them true, and identify 2 historical themes pertaining America's role in the war.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Founding Myths, Stories that Hide Our Patriotic Past

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars participate in a scavenger hunt using their textbooks to find information about historical events, people and places in US history during the Revolutionary Era. After creating their list of important people, students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Role-Playing Jean Talon

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore New France. In this New France lesson, students examine census data compiled by Jean Talon in 1665 and 1666. Students take on the role of Talon trying to convince the King of France to increase his investment in New...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Kensington Mansion: Plantation, Sharecroppers, Tenants

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders investigate the significance of the Kensington Mansion. In this South Carolina history lesson plan, 11th graders take field trips to the mansion and research primary and secondary sources about plantations,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tobacco Road

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use court records to learn that tobacco was used a source of currency in early Delaware history. Students choose something in their culture to use as currency instead of money.