Colonial America: 1600-1776

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Description:

This unit brings the Colonial period to life for young students who may have difficulty imagining a time without the modern conveniences and technology to which they are accustomed. Interesting trade books about the era help explain real-life experiences of America’s early settlers.

The trade books for the Primary section of this unit are Little Firefly, An Algonquian Legend; The Hatmaker's Sign, A Story by Benjamin Franklin; Three Young Pilgrims; and Betsy Ross. The trade books for the Upper Elementary portion of the unit are Spanish Pioneers of the Southwest; American Diaries, Sarah Anne Hartford, Massachusetts, 1651; What’s the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? and Melitte. The unit does not include the actual children's literature books.

Activities:

Students make hornbooks, design underwater vehicles, compare the daily lives of Algonquians with today’s lifestyle, and research colonial trade. They also design hats and clothing, create products, design advertisements, count in French and Spanish, compose secret codes, write almanacs, conduct a town meeting, and design a New England town. Although activities are organized into primary and upper elementary sections, many assignments can be adapted to suit either age group.