Lesson Plan: August 31 - September 4, 2015
LEARNING EXPERIENCE: US History Wampum Activity (1 day)
Students will create a wampum bracelet and work in groups on the Wampum Bracelet worksheet to
create a reference to be used throughout the school year.
LEARNING EXPERIENCE: Exploration and Colonization (1 day)
Students will:
Discuss the causes of exploration and the effects of that exploration on the world. Key points to be
discussed will be the impact of technology on exploration, the different explorers responsible for the
development of trade routes and discovery of new lands.
Activity: Columbus’ Journey Drawing
LEARNING EXPERIENCE: Exploration and Colonization (1 day)
Students will complete Ch. 2 Secs. 1 and 2 Blank Notes using the text. Students will share what they
learned using the Wrap-Up Cube.
LEARNING EXPERIENCE: Columbian Exchange (1 day)
Students will:
Understand the effects of the Columbian Exchange on the Americas through its spread of culture, goods
and disease.
Students will participate in a Columbian Exchange game that will simulate the spread of culture, goods
and disease throughout the Americas.
Explore how the impact of the Columbian Exchange changed the people and landscape of Colonial
America through class discussion.
Examine the motives for European exploration and their significance in the founding of the 13 Colonies.
(The 3 G’s)
God (religious motives) - seeking religious freedom, spreading Christianity to Native Americans
Gold (economic motives) - developing new economic opportunities, locating new resources and raw
materials, and acquiring land
Glory (political and social motives) - establishing self-government, ability to make personal decisions, to
gain political power and the ability to move from place to another
LEARNING EXPERIENCE: Jamestown and Plymouth (1 day)
Explain the significance of the years 1607 (Founding of Jamestown) and 1620 (Founding of Plymouth).
Students will create a map of the original 13 colonies, the 3 colonial regions, geographic landmarks and
also plot Jamestown and Plymouth.
Writing reflection: Predict how location could affect the lives of the settlers living in the Plymouth and
Jamestown settlements. Things to consider: food sources, farming, and climate. Share and discuss
student responses. If needed, students can use the 13 Colonies map to help them answer the writing
reflection.