Life in Colonial America

Social Studies American History Colonial America Life in Colonial America
Students brainstorm different ways people can earn a living. Then they compare how the colonists in New England, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern Colonies earned a living. Next they study a population density map from 1775 and explain how geography influences settlement patterns. Finally, they research different areas of colonial life.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

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Here are the teacher pack items for Life in Colonial America:

Preview - Scene 1
Exploros Learnign Experience Scene Navigation


Overview

In this experience, students brainstorm different ways people can earn a living. Then they compare how the colonists in New England, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern Colonies earned a living. Next they study a population density map from 1775 and explain how geography influences settlement patterns. Finally, they research different areas of colonial life.

Students will collaborate in small groups for scene 3 and scene 4. In scene 4, each group will prepare a report about a different area of colonial life. It is recommended that you set up at least six groups to cover these general areas: family life, community life and education, religion, arts, housing, and clothing. If you have access to leveled readers that describe colonial life, you may incorporate them into the students’ research.

If you have access to leveled readers about colonial American life, assign them to the students in parallel to this experience.

Estimated duration: 40-60 minutes, or several days, depending how much time you want to give students to research and present their reports

Vocabulary words:

  • subsistence farming
  • cottage industry
  • urban
  • rural
  • fertile
  • indigo

Objectives

  • Explain how the colonists earned a living.
  • Describe another aspect of colonial life.


Engage


Whether colonists came to the Americas for economic reasons or for religious freedom, they needed to find a way to feed and house their families. In this experience, you will learn how they earned a living. Then you will research another area to learn more about life in colonial America.

Objectives

  • Explain how the colonists earned a living.
  • Describe another aspect of colonial life.


a colonist is working with red-hot glass in a colonial-style workshop

Reenactment of a glassmaker at colonial Jamestown


In a word or two, post a way that someone can earn a living.

Post your answer

Students may draw on their personal experience or on their historical knowledge when posting ways of earning a living.


When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.

End of Preview
The Complete List of Learning Experiences in Colonial America Unit.
Social Studies American History Colonial America American Colonists and the Environment
American Colonists and the Environment
Social Studies American History Colonial America Life in Colonial America
Life in Colonial America
Social Studies American History Colonial America The Establishment of Self-Government
The Establishment of Self-Government
Social Studies American History Colonial America The Slave Trade in Colonial America
The Slave Trade in Colonial America
Social Studies American History Colonial America The Search for Wealth
The Search for Wealth
Social Studies American History Colonial America The Struggle for Religious Freedom
The Struggle for Religious Freedom
Social Studies American History Colonial America Colonial America: Vocabulary
Colonial America: Vocabulary
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