Lesson Plan
13 Colonies: Why Settle Here?
Students will be able to identify the reasons for the establishment of the 13 colonies and differentiate between the major characteristics of the New England, Middle, and Southern colonial regions.
Understanding the origins and distinct features of the 13 colonies is crucial for grasping the foundational principles and diverse cultural tapestry of the United States. This lesson helps students connect historical motivations to present-day societal structures.
Audience
8th Grade
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Through interactive slides, group activities, and a graphic organizer, students will explore colonial motives and characteristics.
Materials
Smartboard or projector, 13 Colonies: Why Settle Here? Slide Deck, Markers or pens, Colonial Regions Graphic Organizer, Colonial Comparison Worksheet, and 13 Colonies Exit Ticket
Prep
Teacher Preparation
20 minutes
- Review the 13 Colonies: Why Settle Here? Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print copies of the Colonial Regions Graphic Organizer (one per student).
- Print copies of the Colonial Comparison Worksheet (one per student).
- Print copies of the 13 Colonies Exit Ticket (one per student).
- Ensure projector/Smartboard is ready and accessible for the slide deck.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Think-Pair-Share
5 minutes
- Display the 'Warm-Up: Why Move?' slide from the 13 Colonies: Why Settle Here? Slide Deck.
- Ask students: "Imagine you have to move to a new, unfamiliar place. What would be some reasons you might choose to move? What would you look for in your new home?" (2 minutes independent thought)
- Instruct students to turn to a partner and share their ideas. (2 minutes)
- Bring the class back together and ask a few pairs to share their key reasons. Connect their responses to historical reasons for colonial settlement (e.g., resources, freedom, opportunity).
Step 2
Introduction to the 13 Colonies
10 minutes
- Use the 13 Colonies: Why Settle Here? Slide Deck to introduce the concept of the 13 colonies.
- Discuss the primary European powers involved and the general motivations for exploration and colonization (economic, religious, political).
- Highlight the concept of 'push' and 'pull' factors in migration, relating it to the colonists.
- Introduce the three main colonial regions: New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies.
Step 3
Exploring Colonial Regions (Differentiated Group Activity)
25 minutes
- Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
- Distribute the Colonial Regions Graphic Organizer to each student.
- Assign each group one of the three colonial regions (New England, Middle, Southern). For differentiation, groups needing more support can be given a pre-filled graphic organizer with some key terms or hints. Advanced groups can be challenged to find more nuanced details or anticipate future conflicts based on colonial characteristics.
- Instruct groups to use the information presented in the 13 Colonies: Why Settle Here? Slide Deck (or a provided textbook/resource) to complete their section of the graphic organizer focusing on:- Key colonies in the region
- Main reasons for settlement
- Economy/Major industries
- Climate/Geography
- Society/Culture
- After groups have completed their assigned section, have each group briefly present their region's characteristics to the class. Encourage students to fill in the rest of their graphic organizer during these presentations. (5 minutes)
Step 4
Consolidation & Application: Colonial Comparison Worksheet
10 minutes
- Distribute the Colonial Comparison Worksheet to each student.
- Instruct students to individually complete the worksheet, applying what they learned from the group activity and presentations.
- The worksheet will ask students to compare and contrast two different colonial regions or analyze specific aspects across regions.
- Circulate and provide individual support as needed.
Step 5
Cool-Down: 13 Colonies Exit Ticket
5 minutes
- Distribute the 13 Colonies Exit Ticket to each student.
- Prompt students to answer the question(s) on the exit ticket, summarizing a key takeaway or comparing two regions.
- Collect exit tickets as students leave to assess understanding and inform future instruction.
Slide Deck
Welcome to the Colonies!
Today, we're going on a journey back in time to discover the 13 colonies that shaped early America!
Welcome students and prepare them for an interactive session. Briefly introduce the topic of early American settlement.
Warm-Up: Why Move?
Imagine you have to move to a new, unfamiliar place. 🤔
- What would be some reasons you might choose to move?
- What would you look for in your new home?
(Think for 2 minutes, then share with a partner for 2 minutes!)
Engage students with a personal connection to migration. Prompt them to think about reasons for moving and what they'd look for in a new place. Encourage sharing and listen for keywords like 'opportunity,' 'safety,' 'resources,' etc.
Setting Sail: Why Colonize?
Europeans had many reasons to explore and settle new lands:
- Economic Opportunity: New resources, trade routes, wealth (gold, silver, cash crops)
- Religious Freedom: Escape persecution, establish new communities
- Political Power: Expand empires, gain influence
- Adventure!
These were the 'push' and 'pull' factors that led to the establishment of the 13 colonies!
Introduce the primary European powers and general motivations. Emphasize the 'push' (reasons to leave) and 'pull' (reasons to come) factors. Transition to the concept of the 13 distinct colonies.
The Big Three: Colonial Regions
The 13 colonies weren't all the same! They developed into three distinct regions, each with its own unique story:
- New England Colonies
- Middle Colonies
- Southern Colonies
Let's explore what made each one special!
Introduce the three main regions. Briefly explain that while all were British colonies, they developed distinct identities due to geography and initial motivations.
New England: Land of Faith & Fishing
Key Colonies:
- Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island
Why Settle Here?
- Religious Freedom: Pilgrims & Puritans seeking to practice their faith freely
- Escape persecution in England
Climate & Geography:
- Rocky soil, short growing season, harsh winters
- Access to Atlantic Ocean, forests
Economy & Society:
- Fishing, whaling, shipbuilding, timber, small farms
- Strong emphasis on religion, town meetings, education
Discuss the New England colonies. Highlight Puritan influence, harsh climate, and economic activities. Point out key colonies.
Middle Colonies: The Breadbasket
Key Colonies:
- New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware
Why Settle Here?
- Economic Opportunity: Fertile land, good ports for trade
- Religious Tolerance: Welcomed diverse groups (Quakers, Catholics, Jews)
Climate & Geography:
- Fertile soil, moderate climate, longer growing season
- Rivers for trade (Hudson, Delaware)
Economy & Society:
- Farming (wheat, rye, corn) – the "Breadbasket Colonies"
- Trade, craftsmanship, bustling port cities (Philadelphia, New York)
- Most diverse population
Discuss the Middle Colonies. Emphasize diversity, fertile land, and a mix of economic activities. Note the 'breadbasket' nickname.
Southern Colonies: Plantations & Cash Crops
Key Colonies:
- Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia
Why Settle Here?
- Economic Gain: Opportunities for large-scale agriculture (cash crops)
- Land grants, wealth creation
Climate & Geography:
- Rich, fertile soil, long growing season, warm climate
- Broad, slow-moving rivers
Economy & Society:
- Large plantations growing tobacco, indigo, rice (cash crops)
- Reliance on enslaved labor
- Hierarchical society with wealthy landowners at the top
Discuss the Southern Colonies. Focus on agriculture, plantation system, and labor needs. Touch upon the warmer climate and social hierarchy.
Group Activity: Regional Experts!
Work in your assigned groups to become experts on your colonial region!
Use your graphic organizer to record information on:
- Key Colonies
- Reasons for Settlement
- Economy/Major Industries
- Climate/Geography
- Society/Culture
Be ready to share your findings with the class!
Explain the group activity. Ensure students understand they are only completing their region initially and will learn about others from presentations. Remind them to use the graphic organizer.
Share Your Expertise!
Each group will briefly present their colonial region. As they present, fill in the rest of your graphic organizer with the new information!
Listen carefully for similarities and differences between the regions.
Guide students through the presentations. Encourage note-taking during other groups' shares. Ensure all students complete their graphic organizers.
Apply Your Knowledge: Compare & Contrast
Now it's time to test your understanding!
Complete the Colonial Comparison Worksheet individually. Use your graphic organizer to help you analyze and compare the different colonial regions.
Introduce the worksheet. Explain that this is an individual task to apply what they've learned and make comparisons.
Exit Ticket: Quick Check!
On your way out, please complete the 13 Colonies Exit Ticket.
This will help me see what you learned today!
Explain the purpose of the exit ticket. This is a quick check for understanding to gauge their learning from the lesson.
Worksheet
Colonial Regions Graphic Organizer
Name: _________________________ Date: _____________
Instructions: As you learn about the 13 colonies, fill in the graphic organizer below. Pay attention to the unique characteristics of each region.
New England Colonies
- Key Colonies:
- Main Reasons for Settlement:
- Climate & Geography:
- Economy/Major Industries:
- Society & Culture:
Middle Colonies
- Key Colonies:
- Main Reasons for Settlement:
- Climate & Geography:
- Economy/Major Industries:
- Society & Culture:
Southern Colonies
- Key Colonies:
- Main Reasons for Settlement:
- Climate & Geography:
- Economy/Major Industries:
- Society & Culture:
Worksheet
Colonial Comparison Worksheet
Name: _________________________ Date: _____________
Instructions: Use your graphic organizer and what you learned in class to answer the following questions. Provide detailed answers.
-
Choose two colonial regions. Identify and explain two similarities and two differences between them.
- Region 1: _________________________
- Region 2: _________________________
Similarities:
Differences:
-
Which colonial region do you think offered the most religious freedom? Explain your reasoning with specific examples.
-
How did the geography and climate of the Southern Colonies influence their economy and social structure?
-
Imagine you are a European colonist in the 1600s. Which colonial region would you choose to settle in and why? Consider the reasons for settlement, economic opportunities, and social life.
Cool Down
13 Colonies Exit Ticket
Name: _________________________ Date: _____________
Instructions: Please answer the following questions to reflect on what you learned today.
-
Identify one major reason for settlement in the New England Colonies and one major reason for settlement in the Southern Colonies.
-
What was one key economic characteristic of the Middle Colonies?
-
Name one thing you found surprising or interesting about the 13 colonies today.