National Endowment for the Humanities
Colonizing the Bay
Eleventh graders review the goals of John Winthrop. In this American History lesson, 11th graders read Winthrop's speech and summarize his key points. Students predict the possibilities for success and failure in the...
Curated OER
Uncovering The Truth
Students investigate the social and religious contexts that surrounded the Salem Witch Trials. The research is guided using the worksheets included in the lesson plan. The culminating assignment is writing an editorial of personal...
Curated OER
Colonial America
Eleventh graders study the Salem Witch Trials and the different theories for the hysteria. For this American History channel, 11th graders explore primary source documents to understand the stories of various people involved in the...
Curated OER
Religious Dissent
Students perform a readers theater about Anne Hutchinson and her religious dissent. In this religious dissent lesson plan, students re-enact her trial through the reader's theater.
Curated OER
Emerson's Essays Quiz
In this online interactive reading comprehension learning exercise, students respond to 12 multiple choice questions about Emerson's Essays. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
Curated OER
Caught Between Worlds: Frontier Life as Reflected in Captivity Narratives
Students analyze captivity narratives written between the 1600's and 1800's. In this narrative lesson, students think critically about the interaction between Native peoples and the settlers to understand the cultural beliefs held by...
Curated OER
Learning To Summarize
In this learning to summarize worksheet, students interactively answer 10 multiple choice questions about summarizing information from a given passage, then click to check their answers.
Curated OER
What is the (No) Establishment Clause?
Students research and discuss the Establishment Clause.
Washington State University
Washington State University: Literary Movements: Puritanism in New England
A description of Puritan beliefs, with an extensive bibliography that you can use to further your study of the Puritan people.
Washington State University
Washington State University: Literary Movements: Puritanism in New England
Good overview of the beliefs, theology, church membership, and literary style of the Puritans. Contains a good bibliography for more resources.
University of Missouri
Famous Trials: The Trials of Mary Dyer (1659 & 1660)
Mary Dyer was on a spiritual quest to Boston, to Portsmouth, to Newport, and to the northwest coast of England, where she became an ardent member of a new religion - a Quaker, or a member of the Society of Friends. Determined to spread...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Colonizing the Bay
John Winthrop's "Model of Christian Charity" was delivered as a sermon aboard the Arabella, as the Puritans approached their destination of Massachusetts Bay in 1630. The speech spells out his vision of the society they hoped to create...
Bill Carson
Puritan Sermons: Cotton Mather's "Satisfaction in God"
Site provides the full text of Cotton Mather's work "Satisfaction in God." Includes a selection of links below the text to more Puritans sermons and beliefs.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of the American Indian: Beyond the Thanksgiving Myth [Pdf]
This study guide gives information about the Native Americans who were living in the area where the Pilgrims landed in 1620 and information about the new settlers too. The myth of the title concerns the friendly meal shared by the...
Siteseen
Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Puritans
Overview provides a description of Puritan beliefs and religion.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Extra, Extra!! Mary Rowlandson's Captivity Newscast
This lesson will be an interdisciplinary lesson that involves both English Language Arts and Social Studies (History). The lesson will be primarily technology-based and also project-based that will have the young scholars performing...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: New England Colonies: Massachusetts Bay the City on the Hill
Learn a little about Puritan beliefs and see the importance of religion and the clergy in Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Hanover College
Hanover College: Mary Rowlandson's Captivity Narrative
College essay examines Mary Rowlandson's captivity narrative in its historical context and in light of her religious beliefs. Analyzes Rowlandson's view that her captivity was punishment by God for breaking the covenant between God and...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Utopian Promise: John Winthrop
John Winthrop rose to power in social, spiritual and political circles and served as Massachusetts state governor for twelve years. His views are documented in "Journal." Click on "John Winthrop Activities" for related materials.