Virginia
Find out how this settlement in the New World contributed great wealth to England.
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About
About
The first colonists to land in Virginia were met by wary Native American tribes, a harsh environment, and no guidebook on how to survive in this strange new land. However, not only did they survive, they managed to set up a successful system of government and eventually learn to grow a crop that would shape both the future of Virginia and all of the United States.
Essential Questions
Essential Questions
Why did these colonists want to forge a new life?
What challenges did they face?
What helped this colony succeed?
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Choose a Focus
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Note: Britannica School, BrainPOP, and Kids Discover are provided by Prenda. Make sure you are logged in via Clever.
Use the Suggested Activity to learn about your chosen focus in a fun way. Or visit the Activity Library to pick another interactive activity.
Note: Britannica School, BrainPOP, and Kids Discover are provided by Prenda. Make sure you are logged in via Clever.
Jamestown 🔥
Jamestown 🔥
In the early 1600s, about one-hundred people boarded three ships. Their goal? To set up a new colony in America and find gold and wealth like Spanish explorers had.
Essential questions:
What challenges did these colonists face?
How did the colony survive an become profitable?
Suggested Activity: A Different Point of View
The Powhatan Tribe ⚒️
The Powhatan Tribe ⚒️
When the first colonists from Europe arrived in Virginia, the Powhatan tribe tried to work with the new settlers. This shaky alliance didn’t last long.
Essential questions:
How did Powhatan tribe members view the colonists?
How were they affected by the Europeans' arrival?
What events caused conflict with the European settlers to escalate?
Suggested Activity: Be the Teacher
Farming and the Need for Labor
Farming and the Need for Labor
The new colonists realized they could grow tobacco and sell it to England. Farmers started to plant more. But they needed people to tend to their expanding fields.
Essential questions:
Where did most of this labor force come from?
How did the growing tobacco industry affect the colonies?
Who benefited and who suffered from the increase in tobacco farming?
Suggested Activity: Be the Teacher
Curricular Connections
Curricular Connections
Continue your learning by choosing one of these related activities.
Continue your learning by choosing one of these related activities.
Related Social Studies Topics
Timeline Challenge
Start a class timeline (or add to an existing timeline) showing important events from America's early colonies.
Socratic Discussion
Discuss: What is the most important thing a group of people need to have or consider when they are setting up a new city or town?
Discuss: Imagine you could go back and advise the first settlers in Virginia. What would you tell them to do differently?
Create
Find Historical Turning Points (in Prenda World)
(Not sure what to do? Write an advertisement encouraging people to come settle in Jamestown!)
STEM
Image Attributions
Virginia banner: Theodor de Bry, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsJamestown: Internet Archive Book Images, No restrictions, via Wikimedia CommonsThe Powhatan Tribe: Northrop, Henry Davenport, 1836-1909, No restrictions, via Wikimedia CommonsFarming and the Need for Labor: Signed A.W. in lower left, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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