Geography Integrated Lesson Plan
Title: The 5 W’s of the 13 Colonies
Subjects: Social Studies, Geogrpahy
Duration of lesson: 45 minutes
Teacher: Lenna Gilliam
PURPOSE/OVERVIEW
The students will be able to answer the “5 W’s” of the 13 Colonies:
Who settled the 13 colonies? When did they settle? Where did they settle? Why did they choose
to move? What made them choose that area? How did the climate and type of each region impact
the settlers?
ESSENTIAL OR GUIDING QUESTION:
In 1733, which of the 13 colonies would you choose to settle in and why?
VOCABULARY:
region
New England Colonies
climate
Middle or Mid-Atlantic Colonies
movement (migration)
Southern Colonies
WEST VIRGINIA CONTENT STANDARDS
SS.O.5.4.4
compare and contrast the various regions of the United States, locate each
of the fifty United States and correlate them with their regions
SS.O.5.4.5
examine the role of geography in the history of the
United States expansion by correlating the conditions
of the environment to cultural patterns and the
westward movement and settlement to the location of
natural resources and physical geography conditions.
SS.O.5.4.6
research how people have changed the environment
of the United States, critique their actions and report
your findings to the class.
GEOGRAPHY STANDARDS
The Physical and Human Characteristics of Places
4 2: Places and Regions
That People Create Regions to Interpret Earth’s Complexity
5
2: Places and Regions
The Characteristics, Distribution, and Migration of Human Population on Earth’s
Surface
9
4: Human
Systems
21ST CENTURY LEARNING SKILLS AND TECHNOLOGY TOOLS
21C.O.58.3.LS.1
Student manages emotions and behaviors, engages in collaborative work
assignments requiring compromise, and demonstrates flexibility by assuming
different roles and responsibilities within various team structures.
MATERIALS: (include resources)
Blank Map of the 13 Colonies
Map of 13 Colonies by Region
13 Colonies Chart
crayons, markers, or colored pencils
MAP INTEGRATION:
The students will fill in a map of the 13 colonies, view/discuss a map of the 13 colonies by
region and complete a map of the 13 colonies for a quiz (optional).
PROCEDURE: (include activity sheets)
1. To activate prior knowledge, have students name eastern states and tell which ones they
think were part of the original 13 English Colonies.
2. Display the map of the 13 Colonies by region. Distribute blank 13 colony maps and
crayons/markers/colored pencils. Have the students fill in their map of the colonies and
color each colony based on its region (New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Southern).
3. Discuss vocabulary words: region, climate, New England Colonies, Mid-Atlantic
Colonies, and Southern Colonies.
4. Discuss each region’s climate. (The New England Colonies had thin and rocky soil, but
had other resources such as timber, fish, and whales. The Mid-Atlantic Colonies had a
warmer climate suitable for farming. The Southern Colonies had the warmest climate and
the longest growing season, along with inland ports.) Discuss the climate effected the
way the land was used in each region.
5. Display the 13 colonies chart. Discuss when each colony was founded, by whom, and
why. Place extra emphasis on the reasons why the colonies were settled (religious
freedom, farming, searching for gold, etc.)
CONCLUSION/SUMMARY
The students will write a short essay answering the question: If it was 1733 and you were going
to settle in one of the 13 Colonies, which one would you choose and why? Have students share
their essays with a partner.
The students will also complete a map of the 13 Colonies for a quiz (optional).
ASSESSMENT (include assessment)
The students will write a short essay answering the question: If it were 1733 and you were going
to settle in one of the 13 Colonies, which one would you choose and why?
The students will also complete a map of the 13 Colonies for a quiz (optional).
Created by: Sherri Mitchem ad Danielle Spencer 2010
The 13 English Colonies
Colony
Massachusetts Bay
Year
1630
Early Leaders
William Bradford,
John Winthrop
Connecticut
1636
Thomas Hooker
Rhode Island
1636
Roger Williams
New Hampshire
New York
1679
1664
John Wheelwright
Duke of York
New Jersey (under
English rule)
Pennsylvania
1664
1682
John Berkley,
George Carteret
William Penn
Delaware
Virginia
1704
1607
William Penn
John Smith
Maryland
1634
Lord Baltimore
North Carolina
South Carolina
1729
1729
Georgia
1733
William Berkeley
Anthony AshleyCooper
James Oglethorpe
Reason for Founding
Escape religious
persecution in
England
Farming, trade,
political freedom
Establish colony for
people of all
religions
Trade, fishing
Build colony on land
captured from Dutch
Build colony on land
captured from Dutch
Establish Quaker
colony in North
America
Trade, farming
Establish English
colony in North
America, search for
gold
Establish refuge for
Catholics in North
America
Farming
Farming
Refuge for debtors,
colony between
Carolinas & Florida
The 13 English Colonies by Region