Thanks so much for your purchase! I am very excited to introduce you to these digital interactive notebooks!
They have made a big impact in my classroom and I am positive they will work well with your students as well!
I think you will find them very intuitive to use and engaging for your students. They work well anywhere you
can use Google Drive – on laptops, PCs, Macs, iPads, etc.
You can access this Digital Interactive Notebook here: http://bit.ly/13coloniesGoogleNotebook
Note that this will require that you are signed-in to your Google account and will then prompt you to make your
own personal copy of the Interactive Notebook. You can also use this link to give out to your students to create
their own copies. However, you might also
want to modify the pages or only use a certain
page or pages at a time. If you do, you will
then want to use the blue “Share” buttom in
the top right (1) to use with your students.
This button is also useful if you want to share
with students who do not have Google
accounts. When you do this, make sure you
allow sharing access to be able to edit the file
(2), not just view it. Then, have students
make a copy of it for themselves instead of
editing your master copy. That is important so
they are not all editing the same document.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you ever
have any questions! I’m happy to help!
Getting Started
All of the blue boxes are where students should type in their responses. and type in their answers. I will get them
started doing this with my version on a projector. It is really very intuitive and students should pick it up quickly.
Students can also change their fonts, the color, size, etc using the “Format” toolbar. I go through this with them
as well as how to insert images. This can be done by going to “Insert” on the toolbar and selecting “Images…”
or by simply clicking on the mountain icon (
).
Some pages require students to “drag and drop” graphics in order to match items or create a timeline, this really
is as simple as it sounds! Students click on any and rearrange them in the correct order. However, this still might
be something you want to demonstrate for students before letting them loose.
After releasing these notebooks, I have realized that Google
has an anti-spam security glitch where it will sometimes ask
users to request access to these pages. You don’t need to do
that! Try refreshing or closing out and re-loading the page
until you see a screen like the one to the right. I’m really sorry
for that inconvenience and will continue to look for a
solution!
Completing the Pages
My school uses laptops which teachers reserve by the period. For this resource, I check them out for a period and
then give them the period to get started. I then move throughout the room assisting students where needed. We
usually begin this in the middle of our unit and students are expected to complete all of the remaining pages for
homework by the end of our unit.
As for resources to complete the pages, beyond the links provided for on each page, I generally rely on these
excellent online sources for students to use for research:




The free online textbooks at US History.org.
Digital History
World History for Us All
The History Channel
I know many schools have subscriptions to online databases like ABC CLIO and others, which work just as well.
I also am ok with students using Wikipedia, however, I realize many teachers have mixed feelings about it. The
images available and ability to search by exact topic I find to be very helpful for students. It allows allows me a
chance to talk to them about the veracity of the source and how to know when they are using good sources.
Checking Student Work
There are a few ways you can check how students perform, The first is to direct students to click the blue
“Share” button when they finish and enter your email address so it can be sent directly to you. I, however, use a
variety of traditional and digital resources and still employ notebook checks, so I have students print these and
paste them in their notebooks when done. I realize that defeats some of the purpose of digital notebooks, but I
feel students are much more likely to study them later if they retain a hard copy. They could then print and turn
in by the page or you could check them when/if you check notebooks.
Answer Key
A complete answer/teacher’s guide for all the pages is included following these introductory pages.
More Interactive Notebook Resources
If you enjoyed this resource and are looking for more, you can find them by clicking here. If you prefer more
traditional, cut-and-paste Interactive Notebooks, please check out all of mine here for both World and US
History.
Terms of Use
Please note, this product is for personal classroom use by a single teacher. If you would like to copy this product
for more than one teacher, please download additional licenses, available at 50% off the original price. Purchase
Orders are welcomed and are often helpful in purchasing multiple licenses. Fonts courtesy DIVA Studio, LTD.
All images courtesy of Wikimedia.
© Students of History - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Students-Of-History
Here are some additional resources for teaching about this unit that also fit in perfectly with these Digital
Interactive Notebook graphic organizers! Just click on any image to learn more about that resource.
Social media logos courtesy Glitter Meets Glue Designs
Answer Key / Teacher’s Guide
Student Name
Instructions
This Digital Interactive Notebook is designed to help
you better understand the 13 American Colonies and
the era before the Revolution. It includes pages on
vocabulary terms, people, and key events of this period.
On each page you will see blue text boxes where you
can type responses. Simply click in the box and begin
typing to provide your response. You can also add your
own text boxes by clicking on the text box icon (
).
You also will need to add images to various pages. You
can do this by clicking on the “Image” icon (
) or by
going to “Insert > Image” in the menu.
Each text box can also be resized using the borders so
that each fits on your pages.
13 Colonies Illustrated Vocabulary
Directions: Research each vocabulary term below and type your own definition in the 2nd
column. Then look for an image that best symbolizes it and insert it in the 3rd column.
Jamestown Colony
Directions: The first permanent English settlement in the New World was Jamestown colony in
Virginia. Research more about the colony and the Powhatan Indians in the area. Then,
complete the graphic organizer below with pictures for each.
Jamestown Colony
Who Were the Settlers?
The settlers were “Cavaliers” from England
who were looking for gold or other riches that
they could make a quick profit on for the
Virginia Company of London. Most were
unprepared for the difficulties they would
face in the New World.
What Difficulties did they Face?
Few of them knew how hot farm the land,
grow crops, or survive through a harsh
winter. They suffered disease and starvation
when they ran out of food. They also
experienced attacks from local Indian tribes
that were hostile toward these invaders.
Powhatan Society
Who Were the Powhatan?
They were the local American Indian tribe who
dominated the area near where the Virginia
Company settled. They were a Confederacy
led by Chief Powhatan. His famous daughter
was Pocahontas, who would interact with the
colony and end up saving it.
How did they Interact with the Settlers?
They would trade with the colonists but
experienced tension and come conflict over
thefts and trades that went poorly. As they
interacted more with the settlers, many of them
died from diseases they caught. .
Plymouth Colony
Directions: Plymouth Colony in present-day Massachusetts was one of the earliest
successful British colonies. Read about the colony and the Pilgrims who settled it then
complete the graphic organizers below.
Who Were the Pilgrims?
What was the Mayflower Compact?
They were religious separatists who felt that the
Church of England was beyond reform and sought
to create a new religious order. This was illegal in
the 1600’s. They left for the Netherlands where
they could freely practice their religion.
Why did they go to America?
The Pilgrims did not like the Netherlands
because they felt their children were tempted
to a different life and they would lose their
English identity. They also feared another war.
They decided a new life in the New World
would be best for them.
What difficulties did they face?
Many got sick and died in the harsh New
England winter. They also had to negotiate
with local American Indian groups and being
isolated from all that they knew beforehand.
This was signed aboard the
Mayflower when they arrived in New
England in 1620. The document
established the community’s
government. It stated that they would
rule themselves, based on majority
rule of the townsmen. This
independent attitude set up a tradition
of self-rule that would later lead to
direct democracy through town
meetings and elected legislatures in
New England.
What was the 1st Thanksgiving?
In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims had a good
harvest and shared a harvest feast with the
local Pokanokets; the meal is now
considered the basis for Thanksgiving.
Drag and drop the image of
Plymouth Rock onto the map to
mark where Plymouth Colony was.
Then, explain why this location was
chosen.
The Pilgrims were originally bound
for Virginia to live north of
Jamestown under the same charter
granted to citizens of Jamestown.
However, after being lost at sea,
they landed near Cape Cod. They
feared going further south because
winter was approaching and felt this
was a good natural harbor.
Comparing Jamestown & Plymouth Colonies
Directions: The people who settled Jamestown and Plymouth Colonies did so for different
reasons and encountered different experiences. Read about the two colonies then complete
the Venn Diagram below to highlight their similarities and differences.
Plymouth
Founded for religious freedom
Settled by dissenters from the Church of England.
Lifestyle of cooperation and hard work helped them.
Good relations with Indians until the Pequot War.
Both
Just over 100 initial settlers
Settled by English colonists.
Suffered early hardships
Had good natural harbors.
Founded to make money for the Virginia Company.
Anglican religion.
Imported slave labor after the colony grew.
Tension with Indians
Jamestown
Comparing British & French Colonization
Directions: While both England and France explored and had settlements in North America,
their settlements became very different. After reading about French and English colonies,
drag and drop the characteristics below so that they match the correct region.
British Colonies
Colonies had royal charters
Had representative governments
Rapid population growth
French Colonies
Colonies were mostly trading posts
Many fur traders
Slow population growth
Protestants & Anglicans
Mostly Catholics
Often hostile relations
with Native Americans
Friendly with Native Americans
Exports of tobacco,
rice, & cotton
Included slaves &
indentured servants
Quebec
No elected assemblies
Montreal
Louisiana
Plymouth
Maryland
Along the St.
Lawrence Valley
Why do you think the British Colonies became larger and more successful that the
French? Explain your answer below.
Open to several possible student responses. They should note that fewer French colonists
arrived in the New World as opposed to the many English settlers.
Comparing the Colonial Regions
Directions: As the American Colonies grew and more colonists arrived, each region
developed different characteristics. Complete the following chart with information you have
learned about each region.
Colonies
Massachusetts
New
England
Connecticut
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
Social
Aspects
Economic
Activities
Colder climate
with rocky soil
that was not
good for
farming. Good
ports and
access to
fishing &
whaling.
Close-knit
religious
communities that
met in town
meetings
Small farms,
shipbuilding,
lumber, fishing,
merchants
Temperate
climate with
good rivers and
seaports for
trade.
Heterogeneous
society with
diverse cultures,
languages, and
religions.
Small farms and
commercial
economy based
on merchants and
craftsmen
Traditionally
English society
with Anglican
roots. Sociallystratified
Plantation-based
economy based
on large, singlecrop farms of
tobacco, rice, and
cotton.Labor
provided by slaves
and indentured
servants.
Geography
New York
New Jersey
Middle
Pennsylvania
Delaware
Maryland*
Maryland*
Virginia
Southern
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Warmer climate
with great soil
for farms.
Access to rivers
and sea ports
for trade
The First Great Awakening
Directions: In the 1730s, a religious revival swept through the American colonies that became
known as the Great Awakening. After reading about the Great Awakening, find a picture of a
Great Awakening preacher and paste it in the box below. Then complete the text boxes with
information you learned.
What Was it?
A spiritual renewal
that swept the
American
Colonies,
particularly New
England, during
the first half of the
18th Century
Causes of the Great Awakening
Many colonists had been complacent in their
religious practices. The hardships of life in the New
World had them focusing on other things. After
years of this, a spiritual revival caught on as life
became easier and people could focus again on
religion.
Great
Awakening
Preachers
Jonathan Edwards
George Whitfield
Samuel Davies
Impact on America
Sermon Topics
Fiery emotional sermons with fire and
brimstone (Sinners in the Hands of an
Angry God).
The biggest impact of the Great
Awakening was that it led many to
challenge established authority and
old thinking. This tradition grew and
soon colonists began to challenge
England’s authority over the
Colonies.
The French & Indian War
Directions: : While France and England were part of a worldwide conflict known as the Seven
Years’ War, in America it became known as the French and Indian War. After reading about
the conflict, sort the events next to the correct year on the timeline by dragging and dropping
them into place. Then complete the box at the bottom.
George Washington attacks
Ft. Necessity but is defeated.
1754
1755
Governor Shirley expels French
settlers (Acadians) from Nova Scotia.
1756
1757
1758 The British are defeated in the
Battle of Ft. Duquesne.
The French surrender Quebec after
a battle on the Plains of Abraham.
1759
Montreal surrenders
to the British.
1760
1761
1762
1763
Chief Pontiac leads a rebellion
against British settlements.
What impact did the war have
on the American Colonies?
The war was costly and England
imposed many taxes on the
Colonies afterwards which
angered colonists. They also
passed the Proclamation of 1763
which angered the colonists
because it forbid them from
moving into good western
farmland.
The Treaty of Paris is
signed, ending the war.
The Proclamation of 1763
Directions: King George III issued the Royal Proclamation of 1763 after Great Britain's
gained French territory from the French and Indian War. After reading about the
Proclamation, use the Scribble tool to draw in the proclamation line on the map below, then,
complete the boxes.
What did the Proclamation of 1763 do?
The Proclamation forbid colonists to settle west of the
Appalachian Mountains.
Why was the Proclamation
issued?
After the French & Indian War,
England wanted to avoid further
conflicts with American Indians
who lived in the Ohio Valley
beyond the Appalachian
Mountains. The measure was
also intended to shield Native
Americans from increasingly
frequent attacks by white
settlers.
What affect did the Proclamation have on the Colonies?
This greatly upset the colonists because there was great farmland beyond the
mountains and it was cheap compared to land in the east. They felt they had
just fought for this land and had earned the right to settle it. Some colonists
simply defied the order. This set the stage for later laws that the colonists
disagreed with and felt they could ignore.
Taxes Lead to Revolution
Directions: The Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Townshend Acts, & Intolerable Acts (aka
Coercive Acts) were all passed by Parliament and met with resistance in the American
Colonies. For the Acts below, give the year they were passed, explain what they did, then
why the colonists were opposed to them.
The Stamp Act
The Sugar Act
1764
1765
New tax to raise revenue to help
defray the military costs of
protecting the American colonies
after the French & Indian War. It
aimed to end smuggling of sugar
and non-British goods.
New tax was on every piece of
printed paper used - ship's
papers, legal documents,
licenses, newspapers, other
publications, and even playing
cards were taxed.
The colonists were angered
because it increased their costs.
This led to boycotts of British
goods in response.
Colonists were furious with this
because so much paper was
taxed. Protests were large and
the tax was repealed in 1766.
The Townshend Acts
The Intolerable Acts
1767
1774
Five acts passed to raise
revenue in order to pay the
salaries of governors and judges
so that they would remain loyal
to Great Britain and also punish
New York for failing to comply
with the Quartering Act.
A series of Acts passed after the
Boston Tea Party and also
known as the Coercive Acts.
They took away Massachusetts
self-government.
There were widespread protests
and most were repealed.
These enraged many colonists
and led directly to the First
Continental Congress being
formed to protest.