Students explore how the desire for religious freedom shaped the founding, structure, and conflicts of the New England Colonies and how that freedom was both promoted and restricted for different groups.
Students explore how the desire for religious freedom shaped the founding, structure, and conflicts of the New England Colonies and how that freedom was both promoted and restricted for different groups.
Students read a brief introduction about the Mayflower landing and why many passengers left England to escape religious persecution. They view an image of the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock and respond in a collaborative table by recording something they know about Pilgrims or Puritans, adding new information that has not yet been posted.
Teacher MovesIntroduce the overall focus of the lesson, highlighting that students will learn to distinguish between Pilgrims and Puritans and examine religious freedom in New England. Emphasize that many people are unsure of the difference between the two groups and that upcoming lesson materials will clarify their similarities and differences.
Students read background text explaining the shared origins of Pilgrims and Puritans in the Church of England, their persecution, and their migration to North America. They then read The New England Colonies to deepen their understanding of each group’s beliefs, reasons for leaving England, and settlement locations. Using this information, they complete a Venn diagram graphic organizer comparing and contrasting Pilgrims and Puritans in terms of religious beliefs, motivations, and colonies founded.
Teacher MovesUse student entries in the Venn diagram to check understanding of the similarities and differences between Pilgrims and Puritans and to guide brief clarification as needed before moving on.
Working with a partner, students discuss the motivations of Pilgrims and Puritans compared with those of the Jamestown settlers. Individually, they post to a discussion wall explaining in their own words how the motivations for coming to the New World were similar or different between these New England colonists and the Jamestown colonists.
Teacher MovesPrompt students to hold brief small-group discussions, then review their wall posts to ensure they understand that New England colonies were primarily motivated by religious goals and the desire to establish a godly society, while Jamestown settlers were driven mainly by economic motives. Clarify these contrasts before proceeding.
Students read explanatory text about how Pilgrims and Puritans, though fleeing persecution, did not extend full religious freedom within their own colonies, leading to internal conflicts and new settlements. They study short narratives about Roger Williams, including his advocacy for separation of church and state, fair treatment of Native Americans, and opposition to the slave trade, and about Thomas Hooker, including his objections to limiting voting rights to church members and his role in founding Connecticut and the Fundamental Orders. They may read more about these figures in Dissent in Massachusetts Bay and Reaching to Connecticut. Finally, students consider the statement “The New England colonies are a symbol of religious freedom in the New World” and post a brief, evidence-based opinion on a discussion wall, agreeing or disagreeing and citing information from their readings.
Teacher MovesEncourage students to read classmates’ posts and select interesting or exemplary responses for whole-class discussion. Guide students to use evidence about Pilgrim and Puritan practices, as well as the examples of Roger Williams and Thomas Hooker, to support arguments about whether New England truly represented religious freedom. Note that this question can be revisited later when students study the more religiously diverse Middle Colonies.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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