Foundations of a New Nation: History of the 13
Colonies
Students learn about the 13 colonies and create a brochure.
Author
Grade Level
Duration
National Geography
Standards
ELEMENT FOUR:
HUMAN SYSTEMS
9. The characteristics,
distribution, and
migration of human
population on earth's
surface.
12. The processes,
patterns, and
functions of human
settlement.
ELEMENT SIX: THE
USES OF
GEOGRAPHY
17. How to apply
geography to interpret
the past.
Barbara Stout
6-8
2 class periods
Arizona Geography
Standards
ESSENTIALS 3SS-E5
Describe natural and human
characteristics of places and
use this knowledge to define
regions, their relationships
with other regions, and their
patterns of change, with
emphasis on:
Arizona Language Arts Standards
READING STANDARDS: ESSENTIALS
R-E2 Use reading strategies such as making
inferences and predictions, summarizing,
paraphrasing, differentiating fact from opinion,
drawing conclusions, and determining the author's
purpose and perspective to comprehend written
selections.
PO 2 Distinguished fact from opinion.
PO 5 how culture and
economics give a place
identity and meaning and
affect the perception of
places and regions, including
the role of media images.
WRITING STANDARDS: ESSENTIALS
WE3 Write a summary that presents information
clearly and accurately, contains the most significant
details and preserves the position of the author.
PO 1 Use all words except for material quoted.
Overview
Purpose
The 13 colonies are an essential part of our history.
People from England came to the new land for
religious freedom, a desire for land, economic
opportunity, and a new start in life. It is important to
understand the human and natural characteristics of
each of the regions of the Americas to understand
why immigrants came to our shores.
To familiarize students with the history of the thirteen
colonies through a variety of modalities, including:
maps, reading about the history, and creating a
brochure.
Materials

Map of the 13 colonies

Answer key to map of 13 colonies
Foundations of a New Nation: History of the 13 Colonies

Who Am I? teacher key

Who Am I? student copy

Writing Prompt for Brochure

Graphic Organizer for Prompt

Checklist evaluation form

White construction paper folded in thirds

Colored Pencils
Assessment
Checklist will be used to grade the brochure.
The graphic organizer can receive a grade at
teachers discretion.
Extensions
Students sequence the order/timelines when they
became colonies.
Objectives
Write about important people from the colonies.
The student will be able to:
Write a poem or song about the thirteen colonies
-
locate the 13 colonies on a historical map.
-
guess which colony is described in a Who Am I?
game.
-
find the human and natural characteristics of the
colonies and make a brochure advertising the
colonies utilizing facts and opinions.
Procedures
Sources
June 2002 National Geographic Magazine
"Unsettling Discoveries at Jamestown" p.74.
Voices from Anerica's Past Colonial Life by Barbara
Burt
http://library.thinkquest.org/10966/map.shtml
http://www.timepage.org/spl/13colonies.html
SESSION ONE
1. Distribute a blank historical map of the 13 colonies
to students.
http://www.libs.uga.edu/darchive/hargrett/maps/cola
mer.html
2. Have students write the names of the colonies on
their map.
http://americanhistory.about.com/library/timelines/blti
meline1675.htm
3. Read the Who Am I? to the class.
http://americanhistory.about.com/library/prm/bljames
town1.htm
4. Students will guess which colony is described and
write down the name in the space provided. They
may look at their maps to answer the questions.
http://americanhistory.about.com/library/charts/blcolo
nial13.htm
5. Discuss questions with the students and give them
the correct answers.
http://www.lkwdpl.org/schools/horacemann/colinks.ht
m
6. Distribute and discuss the writing prompt with
Graphic Organizer included and grading checklist.
7. Assign each student a colony.
SESSION TWO
1. Distribute colored pencils and white construction
paper. Students should fold the paper in thirds.
2. Students will work on their brochure in class.