ALEX Classroom Resources

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] USS5 (5) 5 :

5 ) Explain the early colonization of North America and reasons for settlement in the Northern, Middle, and Southern colonies, including geographic features, landforms, and differences in climate among the colonies.

•  Recognizing how colonial development was influenced by the desire for religious freedom

Example: development in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Maryland colonies

•  Identifying influential leaders in colonial society

•  Describing emerging colonial government

Examples: Mayflower Compact, representative government, town meetings, rule of law

This is a reading passage about the Rhode Island Colony. There are other activities and articles included and information about all thirteen colonies. Articles can be printed or used online. 

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] USS5 (5) 5 :

5 ) Explain the early colonization of North America and reasons for settlement in the Northern, Middle, and Southern colonies, including geographic features, landforms, and differences in climate among the colonies.

•  Recognizing how colonial development was influenced by the desire for religious freedom

Example: development in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Maryland colonies

•  Identifying influential leaders in colonial society

•  Describing emerging colonial government

Examples: Mayflower Compact, representative government, town meetings, rule of law

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] USS5 (5) 5 :

5 ) Explain the early colonization of North America and reasons for settlement in the Northern, Middle, and Southern colonies, including geographic features, landforms, and differences in climate among the colonies.

•  Recognizing how colonial development was influenced by the desire for religious freedom

Example: development in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Maryland colonies

•  Identifying influential leaders in colonial society

•  Describing emerging colonial government

Examples: Mayflower Compact, representative government, town meetings, rule of law

This video comes from an 8-episode docuseries about daily life in the year 1628! Think colonial life was all about pious Pilgrims, powdered wigs, and freedom for all? Think again! Two dozen modern-day time travelers find out the hard way what early American colonial life was really like when they take up residence in COLONIAL HOUSE, public television's latest hands-on history series from the producers of FRONTIER HOUSE, MANOR HOUSE, and the Peabody Award-winning THE 1900 HOUSE.

In this episode: Food was scarce to the colonists due to the limited carrying capacity in the ship when sailing. They had to be precise on what food they could bring that would last their 4-month journey to the new country and many months after their arrival.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] USS5 (5) 5 :

5 ) Explain the early colonization of North America and reasons for settlement in the Northern, Middle, and Southern colonies, including geographic features, landforms, and differences in climate among the colonies.

•  Recognizing how colonial development was influenced by the desire for religious freedom

Example: development in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Maryland colonies

•  Identifying influential leaders in colonial society

•  Describing emerging colonial government

Examples: Mayflower Compact, representative government, town meetings, rule of law

This clip provides a succinct overview of the founding of the 13 original U.S. colonies.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] USS5 (5) 5 :

5 ) Explain the early colonization of North America and reasons for settlement in the Northern, Middle, and Southern colonies, including geographic features, landforms, and differences in climate among the colonies.

•  Recognizing how colonial development was influenced by the desire for religious freedom

Example: development in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Maryland colonies

•  Identifying influential leaders in colonial society

•  Describing emerging colonial government

Examples: Mayflower Compact, representative government, town meetings, rule of law

This clip illustrates the Pilgrims' early days in the Americas. The early days were difficult for the Pilgrims, as they struggled with disease and finding land to build their homes.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] USS5 (5) 5 :

5 ) Explain the early colonization of North America and reasons for settlement in the Northern, Middle, and Southern colonies, including geographic features, landforms, and differences in climate among the colonies.

•  Recognizing how colonial development was influenced by the desire for religious freedom

Example: development in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Maryland colonies

•  Identifying influential leaders in colonial society

•  Describing emerging colonial government

Examples: Mayflower Compact, representative government, town meetings, rule of law

Charlie Brown narrates the journey and conditions of the settler's arrangement aboard the Mayflower to the new land of America.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] USS5 (5) 5 :

5 ) Explain the early colonization of North America and reasons for settlement in the Northern, Middle, and Southern colonies, including geographic features, landforms, and differences in climate among the colonies.

•  Recognizing how colonial development was influenced by the desire for religious freedom

Example: development in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Maryland colonies

•  Identifying influential leaders in colonial society

•  Describing emerging colonial government

Examples: Mayflower Compact, representative government, town meetings, rule of law

In this learning activity, students explore the First Thanksgiving and focus on the declining relationship between the European settlers and the Native Americans. Additional resources for this learning activity can be found by clicking on Download PDF or DOC.