13 Colonies Interactive Unit

13 Colonies Lesson Plans

How would it feel to have your 13 Colonies Unit planned for the next 3 weeks, including every lesson, worksheet, and activity planned, copied and ready to go?

Amazing, right?

As a former 5th grade teacher myself, I often felt like I didn’t have the resources or the support to teach social studies well.

I now work full time helping busy teachers like you fall in love with teaching history by creating high-quality and engaging units.

My history units have been loved by thousands of 5th-8th grade teachers! One of my most recent history units is all about The 13 Colonies.

 

What’s Included?

• 15 detailed lesson plans

• 3 weeks of activities

• Pacing guide

• Answer keys (of course!)

• 150+ pages with a variety of activities (simulations, primary source analysis, PowerPoint presentation, Jeopardy-style reviews, and so much more!)

 

Your students will…

• …develop a rich understanding of the cultures, economies, and groups that made up the 13 Colonies.

• …be insanely engaged (They will love the fur trading simulation and the Jeopardy-style review games).

• …beg you for more history lessons. Seriously.

You will…

• …be able to spend more time with people you love instead of planning lessons on the weekends (I’ve been there and I know the struggle).  

• …feel proud of the way you are teaching your social studies standards.

• …enjoy TEACHING instead of stressing about planning.

 

Table of Contents:

Week 1: The Southern Colonies

1. Colonization Introduction—PowerPoint presentation & KL worksheet

2. Jamestown Simulation—activity where students act like the settlers of Jamestown and make decisions about their survival with article and student worksheets

3. History of the Southern Colonies—article about the history of each Southern colony and comprehension questions

4. Life in the Southern Colonies—task cards about aspects of Southern life (religion, education, social classes, etc.), student recording sheet, and reflection

5. All About the Southern Colonies Game—student information booklet, jeopardy questions, and jeopardy board (covers the Southern Colonies’ economy, geography, important people, Native Americans, & religions)

Week 2: The New England Colonies

1. The Mayflower and Plymouth Colony—facts about New England, article about the Mayflower and Plymouth Colony, interactive timeline, and reflection

2. Early American Constitutions—activity analyzing The Mayflower Compact and The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, simulation where students create their own constitution

3. Puritan Life—artifacts about Puritan life (religion, education, social classes, etc.) and student recording sheet

4. The Salem Witch Trials—article about the Salem Witch Trials, evidence activity, and student booklet about the important people in the Trials

5. All About the New England Colonies Game—student information booklet and jeopardy questions (covers New England’s economy, geography, important people, Native Americans, & religions)

Week 3: The Middle Colonies

1. New Amsterdam to New York—facts about the Middle Colonies, article about the British taking over New Amsterdam, two reader’s theater scripts, and comprehension check

2. Fur Trading Simulation Game—article about colonial fur trading, materials to play a fur trading simulation game (name tags, goods for trading, rules, awards, etc.)

3. The Quaker Way of Life—article about Quakers in the Middle Colonies, articles about different aspects of Quaker life (religion, education, social classes, etc.), rubric for student posters and presentations, and note taking sheet

4. All About the Middle Colonies—student information booklet, and jeopardy questions (covers the Middle Colonies’ economy, geography, important people, Native Americans, & religions)

5. Comparing and Contrasting the Colonies— sorting mats and cards to compare and contrast the Southern, New England, and Middle colonies

 

Here’s what teachers are saying…

“I LOVE THIS SELLER. I have purchased all of her early US History interactive units and the kids love them. They are engaging, appropriately challenging, and informative. 2 huge thumbs up!”

—Caitlin M. 

This is by far one of best purchases I have made to date. The lessons are wonderful and engaging. My students love the lessons and prepping was super easy. I plan to purchase more of your social studies units!! Thank you for doing all the hard work for me. 🙂

—Carol T.

I LOVE your products – especially the simulations. The Jamestown simulations pushed my students’ critical thinking and teamwork skills and taught them historical content in such a fun and creative way.

—Lindsay N.

 

More 13 Colonies Resources

I created this 13 Colonies Unit. so I can you TONS of time and help you fall in love with teaching history.

You may also be interested in other resources for teaching the 13 Colonies like kid-friendly videos, primary sources, and a free 13 colonies map lesson.

Need more interactive units? Explore my popular units:

• Age of Exploration
• 13 Colonies
• Declaration of Independence
• Revolutionary War
• Civil War