Students examine political and religious factors that influenced English, Spanish, French, and Dutch colonization of the Americas, how slavery shaped social and economic life in the South after 1800, and elements of slavery during the...

Fifth graders create an explorer's map. In this explorers lesson students use a map of the world as reference to draw their own map of Europe, North America, Central America, and the Caribbean Islands. The students use their maps to show...

Seventh graders work on a cross curricular project in both geography and writing classes. Students conduct research on Latin America using both non print and print sources and follow the MLA form of research. Students turn in source and...

Students determine what happened to the lost colony of Roanoke. In this colonial America instructional activity, students complete a classroom activity about Virginia Dare and write essays that address the legends of the lost colony.

Students examine different perspectives about Thanksgiving that include those of the European Settlers and the Native Americans. They read and discuss an article about Plymouth being "America's Hometown." They develop a landmark for...

Tenth graders explore the impact of Thomas Paine on the American Revolution. In this colonial America instructional activity, 10th graders analyze Common Sense and then paraphrase selected excerpts of the pamphlet. Students also respond...

Young scholars interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this colonial America lesson plan, students conduct research to determine how geographic conditions dictated settlement...

Middle schoolers discuss the ways in which an environment is used to provide the basic necessities of life. In groups, they compare and contrast how different hunter and gatherer groups have used the environment to their advantage. ...

Young scholars examine the Declaration of Independence. In this colonial America lesson, students analyze the three sections of the Declaration and determine the beliefs the founding fathers had about rights.

Students explore government systems. In this colonial America lesson, students consider colonial settlement needs as they design settlements that can sustain themselves and meet the needs of colonists.

Eighth graders discuss the Jamestown colony and the Powhatan Indians. In this colonial history activity, 8th graders talk about conflicts between the Native Americans and the colonists. They read a biography about Pocahontas to help them...

Students complete multiple lessons to identify the human rights and social justice for Native Americans. In this human rights lesson, students complete fifty one days of activities to a lesson titled "Ceremony" about the Native...

Students consider what it was like for black regiments during the Civil War. In this American Civil War lesson, students view segments of "Glory," and "The Descendants of the 29th Regiment." Students discuss the conditions of black...

Students learn about Latin American dance and rhythm in different forms and participate in dancing. In this Latin American lesson plan, students also analyze Latin American paintings.

Students explore the life and accomplishments of Benjamin Franklin. In this colonial history lesson, students research Benjamin Franklin's work as a printer, a writer, a statesman, and an inventor. Students determine what his most...

Students examine the myths and misconceptions surrounding early European colonists in the New World. They analyze images, artwork, and media relating to the early colonists and discuss their accuracy.

Students analyze captivity narratives written between the 1600's and 1800's. In this narrative lesson, students think critically about the interaction between Native peoples and the settlers to understand the cultural beliefs held by...

Students consider the case for forming a new, independent nation. In this American Revolution lesson, students examine the people, places, and events that led to the outbreak of war in the colonies. Students compare colonial protests to...

Young scholars examine the trait of courage. In this Declaration of Independence lesson, students discuss what it means to be courageous and identify the courageous acts the signers of the Declaration showed. Young scholars research the...

Students examine opinions about the Boston Tea Party. In this colonial America lesson, students analyze several primary sources about the Tea Party and then write essays that reveal efforts to compromise as well as efforts to instigate...

In this colonial American instructional activity, students read a 1-page selection about the Jamestown Colony and then respond to 5 short answer questions about the selection.

Young scholars explore the life of George Washington. In this George Washington instructional activity, students consider the leadership qualities of the first president as they listen to a description of his life and the create...

Students research community nonprofit organizations. They identify their purposes and graph them. The search telephone books, websites, and magazines for information on local organizations. They write in journals how nonprofit groups...

Second graders examine the development of the first Thanksgiving. They develop a list of the resources and technologies both the Pilgrims and the Indians shared with each other, listen to the book "The First Thanksgiving," and...