It can be easy to assume that students understand the meaning of the words they hear – or that they will figure them out on their own with enough exposure. But this isn’t always the case. In fact, studies show that about 80% of words are learned as a result of direct explanation (even in middle school!).
While vocabulary is usually associated with Language Arts instruction, these lessons can be a very powerful tool when teaching history! Now you’re probably thinking, “Wait… On top of everything else, you want me to teach history vocab too??”
I know, I know… But hear me out. It’s 100% possible to make teaching history meaningful, fun, and (believe it or not) SIMPLE! To help get you started, I have created a 13 Colonies vocabulary list – complete with definitions and teaching suggestions!
Why Teach 13 Colonies Vocabulary?
Vocabulary is the key that unlocks understanding. If students don’t know certain words, there are just some concepts they will not understand.
For example, imagine you are teaching a lesson about the precedents set by George Washington’s presidency. If your students do not have a solid understanding of the word precedent, most of your discussion will go right over their heads! Sure, students can use context clues and pull together a meaning. But without being explicitly taught the vocabulary word, they will not be able to grasp the full meaning of the word – with all of its nuances and deeper implications.
In this blog post, Lauren Brown illustrates the power of vocabulary. She said:
Students often whine about vocabulary tests. They just don’t see the point of memorizing a bunch of words that to them, just mean the same thing as other words they already know. “Why do we need to know squalid,” they ask. “Can’t we just say dirty?”
But the [immigrant] tenements weren’t just dirty. They were, according to one definition of squalid, “extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty or neglect.” This seven-letter word speaks volumes about the conditions of the urban poor at the turn of the century in a way that “dirty” or “really bad” just doesn’t convey.
According to Brown, “vocabulary is a tool of thought.” As such, student thought is simplistic if they do not have a rich vocabulary. When students develop a more complex vocabulary, they are able to have more complex thoughts. And more complex thinking leads to greater overall school success!
Tips for Teaching 13 Colonies Key Terms
To develop a wide vocabulary, students need both direct and indirect instruction. In addition, it is important for students to be exposed to the words multiple times. As vocab words are studied repeatedly and in a variety of meaningful contexts, student understanding will increase.
Here are some of my favorite ways to teach vocabulary:
- Involve students in creating a 13 Colonies word wall.
- As each key term is taught, students add meaningful illustrations and definitions to the wall. Ensure each student has a copy of the word wall they can reference. You can do this in a vocabulary notebook!
- As each key term is taught, students add meaningful illustrations and definitions to the wall. Ensure each student has a copy of the word wall they can reference. You can do this in a vocabulary notebook!
- Play games with the terms. Playing games with vocabulary terms will help students understand and internalize word meanings in a fun and non-threatening environment. For example:
- Memory: The goal of this game is to match the vocabulary term with the correct definition.
- First, create your memory cards. Do this by writing the vocabulary terms and corresponding definitions on separate cards (ex: if you have 15 vocabulary words, you should have 30 memory cards).
- Next, lay out all of the memory cards face-down so students cannot see the words/definitions.
- Then, students take turns flipping over two cards, one at a time. After each card is turned over, the student says the vocabulary word/definition aloud. If the definition matches the word, the student keeps the pair! The student with the most pairs “wins.”
- Hint: Extend this activity even further by having your students make their own memory cards!
- Memory: The goal of this game is to match the vocabulary term with the correct definition.
Why I Chose these 13 Colonies Words
When searching for vocabulary words, I tried to include a mix of words students would experience throughout their study of social studies (like constitution) as well as words that are more specific to studying the 13 Colonies (like colony). I also chose words students would likely encounter multiple times in my 13 Colonies unit!
13 Colonies Word List
- Colony – A group of people who leave their native country to settle in a new place
- Settler – A person who moves with a group of others to live in a new area
- Pilgrim – A person who journeys to a new place for religious reasons
- Charter – A legal document issued by a king that gives permission for a group to create a colony
- Indigenous – The people who originally lived in a particular area
- Governor – The head of government in a state or territory
- Indentured Servant – A person who agrees to work without pay for a number of years in exchange for passage to America
- Constitution – A document that explains how a group will be governed
- Indigenous Groups – People whose ancestors were the earliest known inhabitants of a particular place
- New England Colonies – The colonies located in the northeast, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island
- Middle Colonies – The colonies located between New England and the south; they included Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania
- Southern Colonies – The southernmost colonies, including Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia
- Puritan – A member of a Protestant religious group in England and New England
- Quaker – A member of a religious group known as the Quakers; they believed that anyone could talk to God directly, without the help of a priest or minister
- Plantation – A large farm used to produce cash crops like tobacco and cotton
Download the FREE 13 Colonies Vocabulary List
I hope these tips and resources help to make vocabulary learning more exciting and meaningful in your classroom.
Download the free 13 Colonies vocabulary list here!
Need more help teaching about the 13 Colonies?
Are you looking for more resources to help you teach the 13 Colonies?
- 3-Week 13 colonies Unit: This all-inclusive unit provides interactive lesson plans that will keep your students engaged and help them learn the information in a meaningful way.
- 13 Colonies Primary Sources: An outline of 5 primary sources, complete with teaching suggestions. I have also created a compilation of primary sources for several other U.S. History topics as well!
- 13 Colonies Picture Books: 5 powerful picture books to help bring the 13 colonies to life in your classroom.
- Life in the 13 Colonies Videos: An overview of 5 videos teaching all about the history of the 13 Colonies.
Take 20% off the Thirteen Colonies unit with my Ultimate Savings Bundle. This time-saving bundle allows you to plan your entire U.S. history curriculum in only 5 minutes!
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