Kristen Marie Ahrens Schlesser
Annotated Bibliography
LIS 648
Melissa Gardner
Colonialism: From Early Settlement to the
Revolutionary War
Fifth graders are asked to learn about the settlement of the United
States of America. Students specifically have to compare the different
influence on settlement and compare colonial life to life today. They are
also asked to look at the causes and types of conflicts that occurred during
colonization. Many teachers in our 5th grade struggle with finding
appropriate resources for students that present this information is a visual,
engaging, age appropriate way. The sites I’ve found are a conglomeration of
sites teachers can use to gain background information for themselves, sites
that can be used with SmartBoards or WebTV’s to be used as teaching tools
in whole class settings, and sites that can be used independently by the
students. I also found several applicable WebQuest that teachers could
easily modify to fit their specific needs and classroom. Many of these sites
also have multiple layers to them and could be used as whole class
instruction or as independent practice. I have listed these under whole class
instruction.
Core Content Standards:
 SS-05-2.1.1 - Students will identify early cultures (e.g., English, Spanish, French, West African)
in the United States and analyze their similarities and differences. - DOK 2




SS-05-2.2.1 - Students will describe social institutions (government, economy, education, religion,
family) in the United States and explain their role in the growth and development of the nation.
SS-05-2.3.1 Students will describe various forms of interactions (compromise, cooperation,
conflict) that occurred between diverse groups (e.g., Native Americans, European Explorers,
English colonists, British Parliament) in the history of the United States. DOK 2
SS-05-5.1.1 - Students will use a variety of primary and secondary sources (e.g., artifacts, diaries,
maps, timelines) to describe significant events in the history of the U.S. and interpret different
perspectives. DOK 3
SS-05-2.3.2 - Students will give examples of conflicts between individuals or groups and describe
appropriate conflict resolution strategies (e.g., compromise, cooperation, communication). DOK 2



SS-05-5.2.2 - Students will explain reasons (e.g., freedoms, opportunities, fleeing negative
situations) immigrants came to America long ago (Colonization and Settlement, Industrialization
and Immigration, Twentieth Century to Present) and compare with why immigrants come to
America today. DOK 2
SS-05-5.2.3 - Students will compare change over time (Colonization, Industrialization, Twentieth
Century to Present) in communication, technology, transportation and education. DOK 3
SS-05-5.2.4 - Students will describe significant historical events in each of the broad historical
periods and eras in U.S. history (Colonization and Settlement, Revolution and a New Nation,
Expansion and Conflict, Industrialization and Immigration, Twentieth Century to Present) and
explain cause and effect relationships. DOK 3
Resources
Whole Class or Research Sites:
The First Thanksgiving Student Activities
This site has many good visual resources comparing the Wampanoag Native Americans
to the colonial settlers off the Mayflower. Images show children side by side in homes,
clothes, food, school, and games.
"The First Thanksgiving Student Activities for Grades PreK-12 |
Scholastic.com." Scholastic, Helping Children Around the World to Read and Learn |
Scholastic.com. Scholastic Inc. 11 Apr. 2009
<http://www.scholastic.com/scholastic_thanksgiving/>.
Archiving Early America: Your Source to primary Sources from the 18th century
This site has many primary sources (letters, documents, music, etc) from the 18th century.
It also has a discussion site that students could use to communicate ideas about the people
and ideas during that time period. Highly recommended for both teacher preparation,
whole class use, and independent activities.
Archiving Early America: Primary Source Material from 18th Century
America. 11 Apr. 2009 <http://www.earlyamerica.com/>.
Colonial Kids
This site could be used for independent use or for whole class activities – Shows students
today acting and living like children did in Colonial America. This would be a great way
for students to compare and contrast their lives today with those in colonial times.
"Colonial Kids: An Introduction." Oracle ThinkQuest Library. Salford
Hills Elementary School. 11 Apr. 2009
<http://library.thinkquest.org/J002611F/introduction.htm>.
You Be the Historian
Students look at a series of clues and artifacts to make decisions about a family
living in Delaware in the 1700’s before the revolutionary war. The directions have
students record thoughts after looking at primary sources and artifacts, then compare
them with the opinions and finding of expert archeologist. The teacher resource page
gives many good methods of how to use the page for a variety of situations.
"You Be the Historian." National Museum of American History. 11
Apr. 2009 <http://americanhistory.si.edu/kids/springer/index.htm>.
Africans in America
Take a starling, different look at slavery in the colonies and leading up to the
revolutionary war with Part One (The Terrible Transformation) and Part Two
(Revolution). Each part has a narrative, resources, and a teacher information page. There
are many primary source documents, as well as secondary commentary. Students will
enjoy the interactive nature of this site, although I recommend reading it thoroughly
before using it with a class.
PBS. "Africans in America." Africans In America. 1998. WGBH
Educational Foundation. 11 Apr. 2009
<http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/home.html>.
Colonial Williamsburg
To help students get a feel of life in a colonial city atmosphere, start here. There
is a wealth of information giving examples of daily life, historical context, changes over
time, and a the variety of people it took for a colony to thrive in the late 1600’s early
1700’s. It takes a little time to navigate around the page, but well worth it!
Colonial Williamsburg Official Site. 2009. 11 Apr. 2009
<http://www.history.org/>.
Virtual Jamestown
This site would be great to use on a SmartBoard or with an overhead and shown
to the whole class. It takes you on a panoramic trip of Jamestown and Fort James.
Shifflett, Crandall. "QTVR." Virtual Jamestown. 1998. 11 Apr. 2009
<http://www.virtualjamestown.org/jqtvr.html>.
Early American Paintings
Paintings from early colonial times are digitally stored here! A time line is given
with various paintings to go with each year. Timeline starts in 1671 and continues well
into the 1800’s. This site would be great to show students how change happens over
time, and how art can be used as a primary source to show that change.
"Early American Paintings." Worcester Art Museum. 2000. 11 Apr.
2009 <http://www.worcesterart.org/Collection/Early_American/?>.
Games and Independent Activities:
Colonial Williamsburg Kids – Games and Activities
With great games like “Chicken Chase,” “Drum Corps Tryouts,” Sheep Shuffle”
and “Colonial Garden” this site is a pathway to fun games that still teach students about
colonial life! From the Colonial Williamsburg website, these games, and others on the
site, are sure to be a hit!
"Colonial Williamsburg - Kids - Games & Activities." Colonial
Williamsburg Official Site. 2009. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. 11 Apr.
2009 <http://www.history.org/kids/games/>.
Jamestown Online Engine
This would be an great start to use at the very beginning of a settlement/colonial
unit. It has students decide where to land, what to build, plant, and how to treat the
Native Americans already there. Then, it gives students a rating on how they did and
compares their choices to the real choices made!
Dunn, Bob. "Online Jamestown Adventure." History Globe. Sept.
2006. 11 Apr. 2009 <http://www.historyglobe.com/jamestown/>.
Early Colonies in North America
In this Quia Quiz, students are asked to remember information about the first 5 or
6 colonies in the New World and the reasons colonist settled each colony.
"Early Colonies in North America." Quia. 12 Apr. 2009
<http://www.quia.com/jq/60724.html>.
Geography and the Early Settlements
This is a “Rags to Riches” game. These games are set up like “Who Wants to be
a Millionaire.” In this game, students look at the different characteristics of the different
areas of colonies (New England, Mid-Atlantic, Southern).
"Geography and the Early Settlements." Quia. 12 Apr. 2009
<http://www.quia.com/rr/48327.html>.
WebQuest:
Colonial America
This WebQuest has students broken into groups of 4. Each student in the group will take
on a different role from colonial times – a woman, an artisan, a farmer, or a slave. It
would be very good for an introduction to colonial life.
Clem, Debbie, Valerie Kelley, Vicky Moody, and Ashley O'Dell.
"Colonial America." Colonial America WebQuest. 1 May 2003. University of
Richmond. 11 Apr. 2009
<http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webquests/colonial
/index.html>.
13 Originals: Founding the American Colonies
Primary sources and links for each state are included in this website. It also
provides a very comprehensive timeline of major events in the colonization of the
Americas, including information on the Spanish and French colonies.
Murray, William. "13 Originals." The TimePage - Cycles in U.S.
History. 2006. 11 Apr. 2009 <http://www.timepage.org/spl/13colony.html>.
A Quilt of the Past!
Although not the best WebQuest, it could be easily modified to represent the rigor of
today’s classrooms. It takes students back through a typical colonial day (Thanksgiving)
and has them create various quilt squares to represent their journey through the day. The
creative drawing and comparisons are a good foundation, but I would highly suggest
modifying some of the requirements.
"An Adventure in the Past." FCPS Curriculum, Instruction and
Assessment. 1998. 11 Apr. 2009
<http://teach.fcps.net/Webquests/Patchwork_Quilt/colonial_adventure.htm>.
Ye Olde Colonial WebQuest
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Those looking for a little twist on the colonial WebQuest
should try out this one. Students are given directions, asked to use multiple types of
reference materials, and report back to the royal family about what they’ve found. Final
presentations use various presentations techniques. The final task is missing a rubric, but
would be easy to create.
"Ye Olde Colonial Webquest." Welcome to Innovative Teaching
Concepts - Providing the educational community a resource for curriculum. 13
Apr. 2007. 11 Apr. 2009
<http://www.todaysteacher.com/YeOldeColonialWebquest.htm>.
Order in the Court
Not technically a WebQuest, this site takes you through 3 court cases before the
start of the revolutionary war. You can question the witnesses, ask the clerk for advice,
and finally render a verdict. Then, you’ll see if you actually agree with the verdict that
was given back in the 1700’s. Would be great to foster discussion about the fairness and
the law of the time.
"Order in the Court: An Electronic Field Trip from Colonial
Williamsburg." Colonial Williamsburg Official Site. 11 Apr. 2009
<http://www.history.org/History/teaching/order/court.html>.
Teacher Resources and Videos:
All videos can be accessed through KETEncyclomedia
United States History: Connecting the Past to the Present
This site has a plethora of resources for teachers. It is broken down by various time
periods and ideas surrounding the colonial times in the colonies. It gives lesson plans,
links to graphic organizers, and other informational websites with primary sources for
students.
U.S. History - Standards of Learning | Home. Prince William
Network/Virginia Department of Education. 11 Apr. 2009
<http://ushistory.pwnet.org/>.
Virginia Studies Poster Sets
A Virginia teacher created these posters. The are meant to be used as teaching
tools, or can be used as pictures in Power Points, bulletin board resources, etc. Although
specifically slated for Virginia, many of the colonial concepts can be adapted for
Kentucky standards as well.
Matusevich, Melissa. "Virginia Studies Poster Sets." Virginia Studies
Poster Sets. 2002. Social Studies Curriculum Resources. 11 Apr. 2009
<http://chumby.dlib.vt.edu/melissa/posters/vastudiesposter.html>.
Life in the New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Southern Colonies
This is a chart that shows some of the general characteristics and different ways of
life for the people living in the different areas of the country during colonialism. It is a
great quick reference and could be used to help create study guides or bulleting boards.
"STANDARD US1.5b: Life in the New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Southern Colonies."
SOLpass - Virginia SOL Test Practice and Review. 12 Apr. 2009
<http://www.solpass.org/6ss/Standards/standard_us1.5b.htm>.
Colonial Times in America
Use the information on this site as a jumping off point for almost every aspect of
the colonial period in the United States. Kid-friendly language makes it accessible for
independent use, but it does seem to jump around quite a lot. It would be a great site to
base an on-line search or beginning WebQuest.
White, David. "Colonial Times in America." Social Studies for Kids.
2002. 11 Apr. 2009
<http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/colonialtimes.htm>.
Living History: Living in Spanish Colonial America
In this video, the role of Spanish settlers in the southern part of the colonies is
visited. It also shows the stark contrast between English and Spanish colonies. Also
includes a teacher guide and several interesting black-line masters
Living History: Living in Spanish Colonial America. United Learning. 2000. Discovery
Education. 11 April 2009 http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/
American History: Colonial America
Although this video is said to be an age 9 – 12 video, the first half (before the
Salem Witch Trials) is extremely pertinent for the core content. If it was broken in to the
different segments with discussion, I think 5th graders wouldn’t have a problem
understanding the content presented.
American History: Colonial America. Discovery Channel School. 2006. Discovery
Education. 14 April 2009 http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com
The Diversity of Colonial Communities: 1700 – 1750
In this video, students will get a good overview of what the country was like in
the various part of the colonies before the Revolutionary War. It examines life in
Philadelphia, Massachusetts, New York, New Orleans, Williamsburg, etc. It also
discusses the culture of the time period.
The Diversity of Colonial Communities: 1700-1750. Rainbow Educational Media. 1999.
Discovery Education. 14 April 2009 <http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/>