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Introduction to the 13 Colonies
Economic, Social and Political overview of the New England, Mid-Atlantic and Southern Colonies
Planning this mini-unit
Introduction to the 13 Colonies is the second mini-unit of Unit 1: The American Colonies. This mini-unit is taught after “Age of Exploration” first mini-unit in Unit 1: The American Colonies and before “Forming Colonial Identity” last mini-unit of Unit 1: The American Colonies. Click 
HERE to get a copy of my pacing guide.
Pacing
Teachers should plan three to five days to teach this unit on a traditional schedule with one-hour class periods. However, for those on a block schedule with 1 1/2 hour classes, teachers should plan for 2-3 days. An effective way to structure this unit includes:
Openers
- Colonial Regions
- Guess the Colonial Region
- Mayflower Compact
- Slavery in the Colonies
- Massachusetts Colonial Law
This FREE resource includes 5 openers to use in order to supplement this unit. Begin each class with an opener question. Opener questions can be found on this webpage as an image (see “opener questions” at the bottom of this webpage) or free on TpT (see link). Give students 3-5 minutes to complete the opener question and allow 5-10 minutes for class discussion. Instead of openers, teachers may use this as an end of class check for understanding.
see link). Give students 3-5 minutes to complete the opener question and allow 5-10 minutes for class discussion. Instead of openers, teachers may use this as an end of class check for understanding. 
Lessons
After the opener, begin the Google Slides lesson. Students can take notes on paper using the note-taking guide provided with the Google Slides lesson, or they may take notes digitally with the electronic version (also included with the Google Slides).
- TEACHER TIP: I post a PDF version of the Google Slides to Google Classroom so that students can review their notes if they are absent. To do this, click “File, Download, PDF” on the Google Slide.
- TEACHER TIP: Some teachers post Google Slides in their Google Classroom and digital note-taking guides for students to complete as homework.
- TEACHER TIP: When pressed for time, I will edit the note-taking guides to include answers for some boxes or delete boxes and slides entirely. Teachers should feel free to modify the lesson to meet their students’ needs and individual learning targets.
- After teaching a concept, take a break from the lecture and show a quick review video to reinforce the concepts. Suggested videos to enhance the lesson are on this webpage.
- Mix up your unit by having the students complete the PROP (Point, Reason to lie or distort, Other sources, Public/private) analysis. For a free resource that reviews PROP, click HERE.
- TIP TEACHER: Group students together to complete this activity. This strategy sparks conversation and encourages critical analysis. Discussed as a class.
- Review additional suggested activities found on this webpage:
- FREE: Examining Passenger Lists from Stanford History Education Group
- FREE: Pocahontas from Stanford History Education Group
- FREE: The First Thanksgiving the Stanford History Education Group
- FREE: The Puritans from Stanford History Education Group
- FREE: Salem Witch Trials from Stanford History Education Group
5. Print the Prove It activity included in the Google Slides lesson at the end of the unit. Students read statements and determine if they are true or false. If the statement is false, they correct it. This lesson encourages students to review their note-taking guides
key terms to know
People to Know
- John Smith
- Pocahontas
- John Rolfe
- William Penn
- John Winthrop
- Roger Williams
Key Terms
- Joint-Stock Company
- “Starving Time”
- Indentured Servants
- Headright System
- House of Burgesses
- Middle Passage
- Triangle Trade
- Puritans
- Pilgrims
- Mayflower Compact
- Quakers
Places
- Roanoke
- Jamestown
- New York
- New England Colonies
- Mid-Atlantic Colonies
- Southern Colonies
Essential Questions
Key Questions for the Southern Colonies
- How did geography, climate, and the motivations for settlement influence the development of the Southern colonies?
- What challenges did the Jamestown settlers face, and how did key individuals like John Smith, Pocahontas, and John Rolfe contribute to the colony’s survival and success?
- How did the headright system and the use of indentured servants shape the social and economic landscape of Virginia in the 17th century?
- What factors led to the shift from indentured servitude to enslaved labor, and what was the impact of the Middle Passage and the Triangle Trade on the Southern colonies?
Key Questions for the New England Colonies
- How did the geography of New England affect its economy and way of life?
- What were the primary motivations for the settlement of the New England colonies?
- What is the significance of the Mayflower Compact?
Key Questions for the Mid-Atlantic Colonies
- How did the Mid-Atlantic colonies’ geography contribute to their economic success?
- How did the economic and political characteristics of the Mid-Atlantic region differ from those of the other two colonial regions?
0 Slides (editable) with graphic organizer note-taking guide and summative assessment worksheet. This Google Slides provides a solid introduction to the 13 American Colonies. See below for the major topics reviewed.
✏️Note-Taking Guide with a Teacher’s Key:
- Works with Google Classroom (students can type in a document or handwrite)
- Includes ideas on how to use this in your lesson
- Great for IEP, 504, EL students, or students who need modifications
- Helps students be accountable for information during the lecture
- Comes with print and digital notetaking guides.
✏️Post-Notes Analysis Worksheet with a Teacher’s Key:
- Works with Google Classroom (students can type in a document or handwrite)
- Includes ideas on how to use this in your lesson
- Has a True/False checking for understanding
- Includes a document that connects to information from the slides.
- Comes with print and digital post-note analysis guides.
- Students are asked to “Prove It,” “Analyze It” “Personalize It” and “Explore Limitations.”
Lesson Reviews:
- Joint-Stock Company
- Headright System
- Indentured Servants
- Middle Passage
- Triangle Trade
- Plantation
- House of Burgesses
- Puritans
- Pilgrims
- Mayflower Compact
- Quakers
- John Smith
- Pocahontas
- John Rolfe
- John Winthrop
- Roger Williams
- William Penn
- Roanoke (1584-1590)
- Jamestown (1607)
- Salem Witch Trials
- Dutch Surrender of New Amsterdam (1664)
Note-Taking Guide with a Teacher’s Key:
- Works with Google Classroom (students can type in a document, or handwrite)
- Includes ideas on how to use this in your lesson
- Great for IEP, 504, EL students or students who need modifications
- Helps students be accountable for information during lecture
- Comes with print and digital notetaking guides.
Post-Notes Analysis Worksheet with a Teacher’s Key:
- Works with Google Classroom (students can type in a document or handwrite)
- Includes ideas on how to use this in your lesson
- Has a True/False checking for understanding
- Includes a document that connects to information from the slides.
- Comes with print and digital post-notes analysis guides.
- Students are asked to ” Prove It,” “Analyze It” “Personalize It” and “Explore Limitations.”
Helpful Videos for Your Students
Unit Activities
Click on the images below to access these suggested resources
Salem Witch Trials
SHEG: Stanford History Education Group
The Puritans
SHEG: Stanford History Education Group
The First Thanksgiving Mini-Lessons
SHEG: Stanford History Education Group
Pocahontas
SHEG: Stanford History Education Group
Examine Passenger Lists
SHEG: Stanford History Education Group
quick links
hey there
Thank you for stopping by Teacher Bistro. I created this place as a resource for educators who wanted a easy way to find resources. In my first ten years of teaching I can’t tell you how many hours I spent gathering lesson plans, video guides and lectures. Hopefully, you have added this site to your bookmarks, and this place can make teaching a little bit easier.