13 Colonies

Introduction

Your expertise is needed immediately! We need three historians to report on the 13 original colonies. The information you provide will be used to teach others about colonial times. Through researching the colonization of America, you will discover the similarities and differences of the Southern, Middle and New England Colonies. For each region you will uncover the hardships that the settlers faced while creating a new life that was accepting of everyone. You will discover the challenges they faced territorial, differences and similarities, and religious factors.

After analyzing your findings, your team will create a multimedia presentation to illustrate the colonization period.

Task

The task is to identify and make discoveries of the 13 original colonies. You will uncover this information through research. Your final report will include:

  • Identification of the 13 original colonies
  • Founders of each colony and the year it was founded
  • Descriptions of why colonies were founded
  • Key founding fathers
  • Geographical characteristics of each colony
  • Role of religious development
  • Attitude toward slavery
  • Economic conditions (What was the main way to make a living?)
  • Multimedia presentation
Process

1.      The three experts on your team will be divided into three regions. Each person must choose a region.  (An inforamtion answer sheet will be provided)

Southern Colonies

Middle Colonies

New England Colonies

2.  Using the information sheet answer the questions below for your area of expertise.

List the colonies in your region, date colony was founded, and explain who founded the colony.

Colonies 

Founding the American Colonies

 

Map

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/graphics/13mapnew.htm

Characteristics

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/13colonies2.htm

Charter and documents

http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/states/statech.htm

Founding the American Colonies

http://www.timepage.org/spl/13colony.html

Colonial Timeline

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/jb/colonial/

Description of why these colonies were founded.

http://www.east-buc.k12.ia.us/00_01/CA/home.htm

List three geographical characteristics of each colony.

Southern Colonies

General

http://www.kidinfo.com/American_History/Colonization_S_Colonies.html

South Colonies Chart  

http://americanhistory.about.com/library/charts/blcolonial13.htm

Geography and Natural Resources

http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/OakViewES/harris/97-98/america/colonization/colonies-so/geography.html

http://www2.una.edu/geography/institute/teachers_webs/ang_pat/southern.html

Food

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/13coloniesfood.htm

http://www.scarborough.k12.me.us/wis/teachers/dtewhey/webquest/colonial/food.htm

Middle Colonies

General

http://www.kidinfo.com/American_History/Colonization_Mid_Colonies.html

Middle Colonies Chart

http://americanhistory.about.com/library/charts/blcolonial13.htm

Middle Colonies - Geography and Natural Resources

http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/OakViewES/harris/97-98/america/colonization/colonies-middle/geography.html

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/13coloniesfarm.htm

http://www2.una.edu/geography/institute/teachers_webs/ang_pat/middle.html

Food

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/13coloniesfood.htm

http://www.scarborough.k12.me.us/wis/teachers/dtewhey/webquest/colonial/food.htm

New England Colonies

General

http://www.kidinfo.com/American_History/Colonization_NE_Colonies.html

New England Colonies - Chart  

http://americanhistory.about.com/library/charts/blcolonial13.htm

New England - Geography and Natural Resources

http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/OakViewES/harris/97-98/america/colonization/colonies-ne/geography.html

http://www2.una.edu/geography/institute/teachers_webs/ang_pat/newengland.html

Food

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/13coloniesfood.htm

http://www.scarborough.k12.me.us/wis/teachers/dtewhey/webquest/colonial/food.htm

What role did religion play in the development of your region?

Virtual Religion Index

http://www.history.org/Almanack/life/religion/religionrev.cfm

http://www.history.org/Almanack/life/religion/religionhdr.cfm

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/13colonieschurch.htm

Describe slavery in your region or the attitude towards slavery.

Slavery

http://www.history.org/Almanack/people/african/aaintro.cfm/

http://www.history.org/Almanack/people/african/aahdr.cfm

http://home.earthlink.net/~gfeldmeth/slave.html

 

Once the Information Sheet has been completed, all 3 experts will come together to share findings. Each team member needs to share his information with the other members. After discussing the information, determine the similarities and difference discovered between the regions. Create a multimedia presentation using Google Slides. Your discoveries must include a minimum of 10 slides. The presentation MUST be a collaborative effort.

Use the topics below as a guide for each of your slides:

  • Title Page
  •  Introduction (description of why these colonies were founded who settled there and why)
  • List the colonies in your region, date colony was founded, and explain who founded the colony.
  • Geographic Characteristics (colonies, cities, rivers, etc.  Include a map)
  • Key founding fathers (why notable)
  • Daily life (Roles of men, women and children, food, shelter, songs, games etc.)
  • Role religion played in the development of your region
  • Economic conditions (trades & farming & manufacturing)
  • Attitudes toward slavery
  • Pictures
Evaluation

Your team will be given two grades for this project.

One grade will be an individual grade for the regional research as recorded in your notes.

The second will be a group grade for the multimedia presentation.

Conclusion

You will have a better understanding of how the 13 original colonies were founder after completing this WebQuest. You will have learned about the three regions, religion, slavery and how to work collaboratively as a team.