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Our Focus
Have you ever moved to a new place? When you move, you may be confronted with unexpected situations that compel you to change your way of life.
In our next unit of study in Social Studies, our fifth graders will begin developing an understanding of the causes and effects of European colonization in the New World.
When, where and why did people move? How did they adapt to their new environments? How did the European colonists make a living? What kinds of governments did they organize in colonial America? Did some have more freedom than others? What other questions will spark our curiosity and prod us to seek answers?
Instructional Approach
Your child will develop his or her understanding of European colonization by exploring the people and events of that time through an inquiry approach:
Why is the word CROATOAN, carved on a tree, still such an intriguing mystery, even today? Students will use clues to draw their own conclusions.
Who were the people of Jamestown? Who were the people of Plymouth? Were their colonies successful? Why were they so eager to leave all they knew to risk all in the New World? Students will discover the answers to these questions through the use of primary and secondary sources.
Who were the people of the original 13 colonies? Why did they choose their colony to start or begin a new life? What choices did they make in the new world in order to be successful.
Geography and location have a deep impact on the people who live and work there. How did geography shape the New England, Middle and Southern Colonies? Students will learn how the early colonists made a living in their different regions.
After his or her learning experiences the student will choose a colony from one of the original thirteen and create a product from a variety of choices (Ex. journal, video, billboard or blog) . Your child will do this independently to make interesting and appropriate connections that demonstrates an understanding of why people move and make connections about the unexpected situations that happen to affect their way of life.
Family Support
Your support is always appreciated in your child’s learning. Here are some ways you can help:
Discuss the times you and your family have needed to move to a new place. How did life change? How did life remain the same?
Unless we are Native Americans, we all are immigrants to the New World, coming from different places to begin new lives. Do you know your family’s story?
Where did you come from? Share and discuss with your child.
Want to know more? Check out history online or visit your local library.
It’s our hope that you will find yourself historically and personally curious, too, about our nation’s early beginnings.
HISTORY: The Colonial Period
HISTORY: The Colonial Period
Why do people move?
Why do people move?
When do people “have to” move and when do people “choose to” move?
When do people “have to” move and when do people “choose to” move?
Why do people change the way they do things?
Why do people change the way they do things?
How do people govern themselves? (i.e. How do people decide who their leader will be? The rules they should follow? How to make decisions that are best for everybody?)
How do people govern themselves? (i.e. How do people decide who their leader will be? The rules they should follow? How to make decisions that are best for everybody?)
Unit Description: Students will begin developing an understanding of the causes and effects of European colonization in the New World.
UNDERSTANDING
Students will understand that when you move to a new place, you may be confronted with unexpected situations that compel you to change your way of life.
Students will be skilled at…
Using primary and secondary sources to acquire information about the early colonization of North America.
Using (guided) research skills to research significant people, events, or concepts associated with the early colonies of North America.
Explaining when, where and why groups of people settled in the early colonies of North America.
Explaining the economic patterns of early European colonists.
Identifying major industries of Early American colonies.
Identifying and compare the systems of government of early European colonists, including representative government and monarchy.
Describing how and why people have adapted to and modified their environment in the United States, past and present, such as the use of human resources to meet basic needs.
Describing the accomplishments of significant individuals during the colonial period.
Students will be able to independently use their learning to…
1 Analyze issues from multiple perspectives, using textual evidence, to draw conclusions, form generalizations, and/or solve problems.
2 Apply the lessons of the past to make sense of the present by analyzing historical periods and/or figures.
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