Read Works
Read Works: Growing Up Long Ago
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the typical life of a child during the 1800's. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg: Gardening in the 18th Century
Site offers students the opportunity to design their own gardens. Several disciplines can be used through this imaginative group lesson.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg: Travel in the 18th Century
This site has a lesson plan that contrasts the methods of travel during Colonial Times, with those of today.
Black Past
Black Past: Phillis Wheatley
This on-line encyclopedia article gives information about Phillis Wheatley, the Boston slave who surprised colonial America with her poetry. She was the first African-American woman to have her work published.
The History Cat
The History Cat: History of Colonial America
Information about the history of the colonization of America. Read about Jamestown, Plymouth, the Salem witch trials, colonial life, and the Thirteen Colonies.
Other
Gettysburg College: Childhood in Colonial America
A student-created college history project. It looks at different aspects of childhood during colonial times, including education, discipline, play, and daily life. (Note: A few images no longer load.)
Scholastic
Scholastic History Mystery: Colonial Life 2: Poor Richard's Almanack
Students try to guess the mystery subject Carlotta Facts, the History Mystery Museum's professor, is studying. They read the clues, do some online and offline research, and then attempt to identify the game's mystery item, Poor Richard's...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Agriculture Rules the South
The essay describes the devlopment of the Southern colonies as agricultural centers and the cultural aspects associated with rural, agricultural life.
SMART Technologies
Smart: Colonial Life
Factors that shaped British Colonial America. Compare and contrast life in the New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Southern colonies.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: "Tools of the Trade"
Students will research tools that were used in Colonial tradeshops to determine how the tools were used during the 18th century. During the lesson, the students will have the opportunity to work together with their peers to conduct their...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: A Revolutionary Dinner Party
Students play the role of colonists from the Revolutionary War period. Each group has decided to host a dinner party for some "famous faces" of the American Revolution. There are FOUR parts to this project: research, seating chart, music...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Life in Colonial America
This lesson presents an explanation about who the early colonists were and why they came to America. Young scholars will explore their lives and the economy by navigating the Internet. Students will conclude the lesson by completing a...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Colonial Network News: Ben Franklin Flies a Kite
The students will create a news program about Benjamin Franklin and life in colonial times. The students will work in groups of complete research and prepare a video presentation. Students will utilize books and various web sites to...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Explore Colonial Boston
Use this interactive activity to explore colonial Boston and the geographic and human-made features of the Shawmut Peninsula in 1723. Learn how geography has shaped the lives of the people of Boston and see how different Boston's...
Louisiana Department of Education
Louisiana Doe: Louisiana Believes: English Language Arts: Grade 4: If You Lived at the Time of the Revolution
Fourth graders learn about the American Revolution and evaluate the decisions and choices colonists had to make leading up to and during their fight for freedom from England. Students explore the idea of taking sides and how, despite...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Learning About Colonial Life
This is a group activity that allows students to use predictions to learn about the lifestyle of American colonists.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Dutch Influences Remain
This resource describes how New Netherland, later to be called New York, was originally possessed by the Dutch. Many traditions stem from the practices that they started.
History Teacher
Historyteacher.net: Late 17 C and 18 C American Society: Quiz (1)
This 11-question multiple choice quiz is immediately scored and includes a variety of questions covering life in the early colonies.
PBS
Pbs: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life: Ben's Town
Learn lessons in civic responsibility from Benjamin Franklin, whose practical solutions to the problems of city living set the standard for civic engagement in the eighteenth century and today. Read about Franklin's support for public...
Other
Illinois State Museum: Native American Food
Experiences during the colonial years certainly were not the same for different cultural groups. This site compares and contrasts the housing, clothing, food, religion and family life of Native Americans, French settlers, and African...
Other
Student Handouts: Hans and Katrina in New Amsterdam [Pdf]
A quaint story about two Dutch children and their experience living in New Amsterdam. Includes printing exercises and comprehension questions.
EL Education
El Education: Native American Living
Students study Native American life and stereotypes during pre-colonial times. Then they create a historical magazine providing information and illustrations about pre-colonial Northeastern woodland tribes.
EL Education
El Education: Now and Long Ago
Students create a coloring book comparing common present day items to the way the items would have looked during colonial times. Illustrations were inspired by field trips to a nearby colonial living history museum.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Colonial Differences
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students learn to understand Colonial American regional differences by applying knowledge of places, resources, economics, land climate, products and trading centers. Extension of knowledge to include...