Name: Lydia Kim
Lesson Plan (For DDIH Course)
(Used With Permission from LessonPlansPage.com)
Lesson Plan Title: 13 Colonies Using Google Maps
Concept / Topic To Teach: Introduction to 13 colonies.
Standards Addressed: 1.1a, 1.1c, 1.2a, 1.2b, 1.3a, 1.3b, 1.4b, 1.4c, 3.1a, 3.1b, 3.1c, 3.2a
General Goal(s): Students understand that New England, Middle and Southern Colonies
have distinct characteristics.
Students understand the role of geography in the establishment of colonies.
Specific Objectives: Students will look at google maps and compare and contrast the
geographical characteristics of the 13 colonies.
Required Materials: Smartboard, projector, laptop, internet, google maps, group activity
sheet
Anticipatory Set (Lead-In):
1. Display the map of Manhattan, and review the previous lesson: “England taking
over New Amsterdam.”
2. Remind the students that England colonized other states also.
Step-By-Step Procedures:
1. Ask the students to name the 13 colonies.
2. Display google maps on the smarboard.
Link:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=1053643799640138
80469.00048281aee1765c6e4bc&ll=38.959409,66.005859&spn=31.075959,78.662109&z=4
3. Have the students look at the map and name the three areas of the colonies (New
England, Middle and Southern Colonies).
4. Demonstrate how to explore google maps by clicking on the different tabs and the
links.
5. Click on the boat on the Atlantic Ocean on the map. Click on “13 Colonies Part 2”
map. This link will direct you to another map.
Link:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&ie=UTF8&hq=&h
near=Manhattan,+New+York&msa=0&msid=105364379964013880469.0004828b49f9
35aa02c05&ll=38.993572,-76.420898&spn=15.588217,39.331055&z=5
6. Ask the students to observe the three areas, and think about how geography impacted
the establishments of the different colonies.
7. Click on the terrain view of the map. Compare and contrast the three areas. Make a
chart on the board as the students are observing the map.
8. Divide the class into different groups and assign each group which colonies they will
be researching on (New England, Middle or Southern) and distribute the research
recording sheets.
9. Remind the students that they will explore and research through google maps, the
links, the textbook and other classroom resources (books in the classroom library).
Plan for Group/or Independent Practice:
1. Students will be divided into different groups.
2. With their group members, students will research on the specific area of colonies.
3. Students will complete the research group activity sheet.
4. Once they find complete the activity sheet, the group will prepare for their final
presentation.
Closure (Reflect Anticipatory Set):
1. Each group will present their findings about the colonies.
Assessment Based On Objectives:

Review students’ worksheets.

When the groups are presenting, check to see if all participants are actively
engaged.

Check to see if the students are participating during group research time.
Adaptations (For Students with Learning Disabilities):
1. Color code the colonies by regions.
2. Divide the groups evenly, and assign roles for each student in the group. Ex:
Researcher, recorder, navigator (on the computer), etc.
3. Some students might struggle with navigating the websites. If this is the case,
open the links for the students, which will help them to easily navigate the sites.
Extensions (For Gifted Students):
1. Students can pick one particular state and extend their research on that state using
google maps.
2. Once they are finished with the group research project, they can write a historical
fiction story using the information that they found.
Possible Connections to Other Subjects:
Math: Students can find the distance between England the 13 colonies.
Science: Look at the map and make a weather chart of the different regions of the 13
colonies.