Unit: 13 Colonies Research Report
Teacher: __________________
Student: __________________
Due Date: ___________
To wrap up our unit on the 13 colonies, you will choose ONE colony to research and
complete a typed or written report.
Learning Goals: The student is able to
1. Conduct short research projects that uses several sources to build knowledge
2. Gather relevant information from print and digital sources; summarize or
paraphrase information in notes and finished work, and provide a list of sources,
quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic.
3. Describe how religion and economics influenced the settling of New England and
the southern regions of British North America.
Research paper is assigned (handed out to students) on __________________.
Research Paper Due Date: __________________. For every school
day late, you will lose 2 points on the paper.
Students will be assigned a presentation date. He/ she must be ready
to present on the assigned date.
You are writing an expository text that will provide facts, details, explanations, headings,
and diagrams/ pictures about ONE of the 13 colonies of your choice. You may use your
notes, science textbooks (while in school), the school library, public library and the
Internet to complete your research. Attached you will find the basic guideline for your
research and oral presentation. This entire project is worth 100points.
You may receive the help of a parent or older sibling; however, the majority of the
research and writing must be completed by you, the 5th grade student. The overall tone of
your paper must sound like a 5th grade student has written it. DO NOT copy and paste an
entire article into your paper. That is plagiarizing or using someone else’s words or work
as your own! You should paraphrase (say it in your own words) or quote and cite your
information.
Student: __________________________
Part A: Research Paper (75 points)
o Length: 5 pts
o 1-2 pages typed or 2-3 pages hand written (front only). (Typed: 12-point
font, Arial or Times Roman, double-spaced.)
o cover page, resource page, report, map
o Cover Page: 5 pts: In the center of the cover page, type or write
o Your full name,
o name of the colony you researched
o due date
o teacher’s name
Name: James Doe Colony: New York Due Date: September 23, 2015 Teacher: Mrs. Buckley o
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o
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o Map: 5 pts
o A copy of the 13 colonies map
o Clearly label and/or highlight the colony you researched
Example of the cover page o Introduction (10pts): This is where you tell your audience what your paper is
about. It should be short and include the following facts about your colony.
! What is the name of your colony?
! Who founded it?
! Why was it founded? What was the purpose or reason?
! When was it founded?
! Where is it located?
! Why did you choose this colony to research (you may include any personal
connection to the colony)
o Body: (40pts) This should be filled with interesting facts, details, headings,
pictures and diagrams about your colony. Be sure to answer theses questions
! Did this colony experience any wars? If so, why? What was the
outcome?
! How did the geographical region impact the population?
! What were the major industries (fishing, farming, etc?)
! How did slavery play a role in the economics of your colony?
! What was the daily life like on the colony for men, women and children?
! What religion was practiced in your colony? What did they believe?
! Were they tolerant of other religions?
o Conclusion: 5pts
! Provide a brief closing to your paper. What was the most shocking or
interesting thing you learned about your colony?
o Organization: 5pts
! Your paper is neatly laid out using headings/ sub titles/ diagrams/
pictures
! Your paper is free from spelling, grammatical and punctuation errors
! Your report is neat and can easily be understood (legible)
! Each paragraph follows a logical sequence that makes sense to the
reader. (ideas are organized together)
o Resource page: 5pts
! A list of all resources used in gathering information on your colony. (books,
websites, articles, etc)
Part B: Presentation (25 pts)
You will give a 3-minute presentation to the class based on what you’ve learned about
the colony you’ve chosen. You should know the basic facts about your colony and be
able to answer questions. You will NOT have your researched paper to use during your
presentation. You may present orally with the aid of index cards; power point or Prezi
(free online presentation account).
Presentation Graded Components:
Attention to the audience:
Eye contact / 3
Voice level /3
Expression /3
Body language & confidence /3
Presentation appears to have been rehearsed
Content Knowledge:
Introduction /2
Included at least 5 facts about the colony /5
Able to answer questions about the colony /2
Conclusion /2
/2
*You will be given some class time to work on your research paper. However, the
majority of the assignment should be done at home. If you do not have access to
computers at home, please make arrangements with your teacher to stay in from recess
to use the computers or come to school early to use the computer lab. Be sure you have
a flash drive to save your information between home and school.