Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
European Explorers
To compare how the Spanish, French, and English approached the exploration of North America, class groups examine primary source documents and become experts on one of four explorers: Francisco Coronado, Robert LaSalle, Samuel de...
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The Trading Post with the Most: Colonial Dorchester's Settlement and Economy
Eighth graders explore the Dorchester settlement, In this American colonial history instructional activity, 8th graders examine primary resources and maps from the Dorchester trading post in order to learn about its contributions to the...
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Colonial Living: A Look at the Arts, Crafts, History, and Literature of Early Americans
Sixth graders examine the different aspects of life in Colonial America. At home, they make traditional colonial recipes to share with the class. In groups, they read a book about the purpose and act of quilting and create their own...
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Time Marches On
Students discover the times of Colonial America by creating a timeline. Â In this U.S. History lesson, students research a teacher-directed website about African Americans in early colonial times. Â Students utilize their information to...
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I & M Canal: Technological, Economic
Students read about and discuss the reasons European countries were interested in the Ohio Valley. They complete a puzzle to review vocabulary and watch a video on the Illinois Prairie and the I & M Canal. They rewrite the historical...
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Slavery and Empire 1440 - 1770
Students reflect on the events that led up to slavery in the early years of North America. For this United States History lesson, students read excerpts from the book "Out of Many," then gather in small groups to answer specific...
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The Brief American Pageant: The Planting of the English America
A series of maps illustrate the early growth of English America, which includes the Maryland, Virginia, Carolina, and Georgia colonies. Settlements such as Jamestown, Roanoke, and Charleston are labeled on the map, allowing a teacher or...
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An Empire in the Balance
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...
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Third Grade Social Studies- Quiz
In this social studies worksheet, learners complete a 25 question multiple choice quiz about early American colonial life and the Cherokee and other Native American tribes.
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Coming to America: A Look at Colonization in the 1600s
Students analyze the European colonization of America. In this colonial America instructional activity, students use provided Internet resources to research colonization and representative government. Students use their finding to create...
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Labor Needs in Colonial America
Students examine the labor needs in colonial America. Using primary and secondary resources, they explore the major events and life in the United States during colonial times. They complete a chart listing the pros and cons of a slave...
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Comparison of Colonial Regions in British North America
Students 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...
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Native Americans and Natural Resources
North American Indian civilizations had already been in place for over 10,000 years before the arrival of European settlers. Introduce your young historians to Indian tribes that lived in the Chesapeake region in the early seventeenth...
K12 Reader
Rocky Relationships
Conflicts between Native Americans and colonists are the focus of a comprehension worksheet that asks readers to use information found in the provided article to answer comprehension questions.
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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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The Tempest
Students discuss cultural beliefs about magic. They investigate European exploration and colonialism. They create a cartoon strip of an episode that is described or dramatized in the play.
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Pocumtucks in Deerfield
As part of a study of colonial and Native American history, class members focus on the beliefs and land use of the Pocumtucks, who settled near Deerfield, Massachusetts. Students examine their beliefs about land use and ownership, the...
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Colonial Research Fun
Students review the characteristics of the thirteen colonies. In groups, they use the internet to research one of the colonies more in depth and answer questions about it. They develop a newspaper or travel brochure to share the...
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Colonial Life in Virginia
Fourth graders compare and contrast life in England with plantation life in America. They study the dependencies or mini-industries that could be found on plantations.
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Jamestown Colonies and the Powhatan Indians
Eighth graders discuss the Jamestown colony and the Powhatan Indians. In this colonial history lesson, 8th graders talk about conflicts between the Native Americans and the colonists. They read a biography about Pocahontas to help them...
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Jamestown Journey Part 3
Fourth graders study the economy of Jamestown. In this early settlers lesson, 4th graders read about the trade between the English and the natives in Jamestown. This lesson is part of a larger unit and coincides with the novel The Double...
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Chinese communities, Federation and the early Commonwealth
Students search and use a database. They compare and analyze primary sources and develop an awareness of the nature and extent of the Chinese community's involvement in the Federation celebrations.
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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...
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Networking at Early James Fort
Pupils examine the impact of global trade on regional civilizations of the world after 1500. They research and analyze images of pottery excavated at Jamestown, and create a poster that presents information about world trade networks in...