Curated OER
Uncovering The Truth
Learners 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
Mosaic America on Film: Fact Versus Fiction
Seventh graders define race, ethnic group, and culture. They identify the ways in which words are used in political cartoons and examine the way visual elements in a cartoon determine the meaning of words and enhance their impact. They...
Curated OER
Caught Between Worlds: Frontier Life as Reflected in Captivity Narratives
Students analyze captivity narratives written between the 1600's and 1800's. For this narrative lesson, students think critically about the interaction between Native peoples and the settlers to understand the cultural beliefs held by...
Curated OER
Religious Dissent
Young scholars 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
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
Colonial America
Eleventh graders study the Salem Witch Trials and the different theories for the hysteria. In this American History channel, 11th graders explore primary source documents to understand the stories of various people involved in the...
Curated OER
What is the (No) Establishment Clause?
Students research and discuss the Establishment Clause.
Curated OER
The Original Layout of the Town of Deerfield
Eleventh graders explain that elements of the early settlement of Deerfield can still be seen in the town layout and in some of the early 18th century houses which survive. They read and analyze historical maps and analyze a drawing of...
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...
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.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Puritans
Overview provides a description of Puritan beliefs and religion.
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.
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.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Extra, Extra!! Mary Rowlandson's Captivity Newscast
This instructional activity will be an interdisciplinary instructional activity that involves both English Language Arts and Social Studies (History). The instructional activity will be primarily technology-based and also project-based...
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...
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.
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...
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...