Curated OER
Writing Exercises: English Settlements in North America
A great writing exercise should have it all. This one requires learners to think critically about cause and effect, compare and contrast, and summarizing. They compose responses to five short answer questions regarding Spanish and...
Curated OER
A Royal Charter From the King
Fifth graders explore the many decisions that early colonist had to make when coming to North America. In this royal charter lesson plan, 5th graders work in teams to create a proposal for the King of England to establish a new colony in...
Library of Congress
Loc: American Memory: Colonial Settlement 1600s 1763
The settlement of the colonies in America is the focus of this article. The course of events is divided into topics and time periods, making it easier to understand. Note is made of the effects to the already present Native Americans as...
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg History
This page goes directly to the homepage of Colonial Williamsburg, which historically reenacts the life of early English settlement in Virginia.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Themepark: Liberty: United States Colonial History
Find a large collection of internet resources organized around colonial history. Links to places to go, people to see, things to do, teacher resources, and bibliographies.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Shifting the Balance of Power
This site introduces ideas about how the English became a naval power and competed with the Spanish in settling the New World.
Digital History
Digital History: European Colonization North of Mexico
Although settlements by other northern European countries are mentioned, the primary focus of this article is on English settlements and the types of immigrants who came to the New World from England.
Digital History
Digital History: English Colonization Begins
Understand why the English saw opportunity in making settlements in the New World. After the stumbles in Newfoundland and Roanoke Island, read about the ultimately successful founding of Jamestown Colony.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Britain in the New World: Joint Stock Companies
A very good explanation of how early English settlements were financed, and why the English government refused to invest in such ventures. See who led such companies, who were willing to go to the New World, and why English colonies were...
Curated OER
National Park Service: John White Colony
This site from the National Park Service details John White and the colony of Roanoke.
Other
American Journeys: Popham's Expedition to Maine, 1607 1608
An account of the first English colony in New England, Sagahadoc. To access the document itself, click on"Read This Document." Although unsuccessful, it provided valuable information for later colonization.
University of Groningen
American History: Documents: An Ordinance & Constitution of the Virginia Company
This resource gives the text to this Ordinance and Constitution of the Virginia Company which set up a council and assembly for the first colony of Virginia. Be sure to click on "Context" to see how this fit in with the House of Burgesses.
Digital History
Digital History: Struggles for Power in Colonial America
A very brief explanation of the power struggle between the French and English in the New World and how the Native Americans were caught in the middle.
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Roanoke Voyages
View the artwork for a U.S. postage stamp issued in 1984 to commemorate the voyages to Roanoke Island. Includes a short passage on Sir Walter Raleigh's commissioning of the famous expedition that represents the beginning of English life...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: The Mystery of Roanoke
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart can be a great springboard for discussion about the lost colony of Roanoke.