1600s Lesson Plans

8th graders draw the paths of the planets in the solar system. In this astronomy lesson, 8th graders calculate speed of objects using distance and time information. They research about the work of scientists in the 16th and 17th century.

Students examine the American Holocaust. In this Native American history lesson, students conduct research on infectious diseases that wiped out population of indigenous peoples brought to the New World by Europeans in the 16th and 17th centuries. Students prepare classroom presentations to share their findings.

In this lesson learners study Galileo and his scientific discoveries. They complete a series of experiments/model constructions, using 17th century equipment and procedures, to "recreate," demonstrate and explore the various discoveries of Galileo.

In this lesson students attempt to decipher a 17th century New England land deed to determine ownership of land. They explore how English settler's confusion over land ownership lead to conflict with the Pocumtuck Indian tribe.

5th graders sequence events of European exploration and colonization by creating timelines. They define the differences between primary and secondary sources. They discuss claims to Texas land in the 17th Century.

In this lesson students discuss jettons and their archaeological importance at Jamestown, practice using historic counting sheets and artifacts to understand calculating methods of early 17th Century, and identify similarities to modern numeric systems.

In this lesson students make paint using the ingredients from recipes from the 17th century. In this paint making lesson plan, students follow a recipe with vegetable oil, eggs, pigment, paintbrushes, and more to make their paint.

In this lesson students study the history and culture of 17th century Japan by examining samurai. They review the format of haiku poetry and examine renga poetry. They examine Kamishibai, the Japanese storytelling form and apply it five facts they discover.

Learners examine the changing life ways of the inhabitants of a Pueblo Indian village from the 7th century to the arrival of the Spanish in the early 17th century. They explain the influence of Spanish missionaries on the lives the people of Gran Quivira.

Learners use Internet to examine early French exploration and settlement in Texas, and write journal entries from point of view of 17th Century French settler, French or Spanish explorer, or Native American whose land was taken.