Lesson Plan
Curated OER

English Settlements in North America, A Royal Charter from the King

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders develop a colony to be evaluated by the teacher in the role of a "Royal Inspector". For this social studies lesson plan, 5th graders design aspects of a successful society by planning forms of government, politics, and an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Royal Charter From the King

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore the many decisions that early colonist had to make when coming to North America. In this royal charter lesson plan, 5th graders work in teams to create a proposal for the King of England to establish a new colony in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Whole New World

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine a timeline of a sequence of events displaying how the colonies were founded. They analyze Jamestown and Plymouth recruitment posters, write journal entries, and play a Jeopardy game with questions about the colonies.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jamestown

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research the Jamestown settlement and examine life in the colonies from 1607-1610. They explore websites, develop a timeline, select two settlers to research, and write three letters written from the point of view of their...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Colonizing the Bay

For Teachers 11th
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...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Colonial America: The Original 13

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers work in small groups to research the initial history of two colonies and answering a list of questions. They then prepare a PowerPoint presentation or poster that includes all the findings of the questions and share...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

William Penn's Peaceable Kingdom

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain the methods Penn used to attract settlers to his colony. They compare and contrast Penn's account with Daniel Pastorius' account. Students evaluate the effectiveness of Penn's ability to attract settlers to the colony....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jamestown

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders read literature that explains several reasons the Virginia Company was established. In this history instructional activity, 5th graders use different learning styles; interpersonal, artistic, logical, visual, and auditory...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The African and the Pequot in Colonial America

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students determine that the lands the English settled on were owned and inhabited by 70,000 Indians. They consider that the London Company sold land charters to the English, which gave them illegal title to lndian land and that the...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Understanding the Salem Witch Trials

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students 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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Powhatan Indians' English Boy

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders write a historical fiction narrative. For this interdisciplinary lesson, 6th graders read the historical fiction Henry Spelman: The Powhatan Indians' English Boy. Students write a piece from the point of view of the main...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 1: English-Indian Encounters

For Teachers 8th - 10th
What did the English settlers think of the Native Americans inhabiting the Chesapeake region of the United States? Learners analyze a series of documents and images to determine the English perception of the local inhabitants. A great...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interpreting Foundation Documents of the American Republic

For Teachers 10th - 11th Standards
Explore early American documents that qualify as primary sources. Tenth and eleventh graders use the provided worksheets to analyze the texts of the Articles of Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation,...
Lesson Plan
NPR

Women Of Jamestown Lesson Plan

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
To better understand the role women played in early 17th century US history, class members examine the National Women's History Museum's online exhibit, Building the New World: the Women of Jamestown Settlement. After studying the 11...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Stamp Act

For Teachers 8th - 11th
In this teaching American history worksheet, students examine a primary source document regarding the Stamp Act. Students discuss their impressions of the document.  
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reasons for English Colonization

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Learners explain the reason for English colonization. They review the reasons for the colonization and settlement in Virginia and trace the route from England to Virginia through the Chesapeake Bay to Jamestown on a map.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Africa 1500-present: The Big Picture

For Teachers 7th - 9th
For this African history study guide worksheet, students read a brief overview pertaining to the history of Africa from 1500 to the present.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

John Smith Map Lesson Plan

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders answer questions about John Smith, and also they figure out what was necessary are needed for surviival. Students are given a replica of Smith's 1612 map, they then answer questions using the map as their resource. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Africa 1945-Present

For Teachers 7th - 10th
For this Africa 1945-present fact card worksheet, students use the notes and picture provided to create a note card for study purposes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

VS.3c

For Teachers All
Students examine the settling of the Jamestown settlement and the importance of the Virginia Company of London. Students actively engage in various role-playing activities
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Henry Spelman: The Powhatan Indians' English Boy

For Teachers 6th
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.
Lesson Plan
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation

History Is Fun: Life at Jamestown [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
An extensive collection of resources for learning about the colony of Jamestown. Includes essays, lesson plans, biographies, the economics of tobacco, information about laws, leadership, and a culminating project where students design a...