13 Colonies
Card Sort
Note to the Teacher
Instructions for Use
What are sort cards?
Sort cards are informational terms and facts printed on small cards that students sort
into categories.
Why use sort cards?
Sort cards are useful for reviewing information students have already been exposed
to. Sometimes sort cards can be used to activate prior knowledge or see how much
students already know. I suggest using the 13 colonies sort cards AFTER students have
learned the information.
How to use?
Set-up: Make enough sets of cards so that students can work in groups of 4 or 5. Prior
to using, cut out all of the cards on all pages and mix them up. Pass out the sets to
each group and have them sort them into the three regions. Each region will have the
list of states, geography, economy, government, and culture for the region. Helpful
hint: Write numbers on the back of each set, so that if the cards get mixed up you can
easily determine which cards belong to which set.
What worked for me?
My students are very competitive. I usually put each set in an envelope and pass out
the envelopes. Students cannot open the envelope until I say “Go!”. Then, they race
against each other to put all the cards in the right category first.
13 Colonies Around the Room: Another Way to Use
Another way to use the cards is to label 3 corners in your classroom the 3 regions:
New England Colonies, Mid-Atlantic Colonies, and Southern Colonies. Pass out fact
cards to each student and have them go to corresponding corners. There they should
discuss whether or not everyone is in the right place. Then have students read out
their cards to the whole class to review each region.
I hope you enjoy using this activity in your classroom. I would love to hear how it worked for you! You can email
me at [email protected]
If you have any suggestions feel free to send me an email as well. I’d love to hear your ideas and input!
New England
Colonies
Connecticut
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
Geography: These colonies had flat land near the coast
and hills and mountains inland. The soil was rocky,
therefore farming was difficult. The coldest of the three
regions because they were the farthest north.
Economy: This region’s economy was largely fishing and
logging. Because this region did not have good farmland,
these colonies had to import food and use their natural
resources like cod, whales, and lumber to trade.
Government: Government leaders in these colonies
were religious leaders and outlawed religions different
from their own.
Culture: Small towns and small family farms. The
Puritans that settled here were very religious and had
little religious tolerance.
Middle
(Mid-Atlantic)
Colonies
Delaware
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Geography: This region had rich, fertile soil and a mild
climate. Mostly flat land with some wide valleys and
swift rivers.
Economy: Many colonists farmed wheat and other
grains. Known as the “Bread Basket Colonies.” Factories
produced iron, paper, textiles, and cloth.
Government: Government here guaranteed religious
tolerance and banned taxation without representation.
Culture: Colonists here came from many different
European countries. Culture included a mix of different
traditions and religions.
Southern Colonies
Georgia
Maryland
North Carolina
South Carolina
Virginia
Geography: Warmest of the three regions. Good soil
and flat land. Colonies here were agricultural.
Economy: Many plantations grew crops including sugar,
rice, cotton, indigo, and tobacco. Crops were maintained
by slave labor.
Government: The land owners of this region held most
of the political power.
Culture: Many wealthy land owners, slaves, and
indentured servants. Diverse and unequal society.
Answer Key
New England
Colonies
Connecticut
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
Geography: These colonies had flat land near the coast
and hills and mountains inland. The soil was rocky,
therefore farming was difficult. The coldest of the three
regions because they were the farthest north.
Economy: This region’s economy was largely fishing and
logging. Because this region did not have good farmland,
these colonies had to import food and use their natural
resources like cod, whales, and lumber to trade.
Government: Government leaders in these colonies
were religious leaders and outlawed religions different
from their own.
Culture: Small towns and small family farms. The
Puritans that settled here were very religious and had
little religious tolerance.
Answer Key
Middle
(Mid-Atlantic)
Colonies
Delaware
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Geography: This region had rich, fertile soil and a mild
climate. Mostly flat land with some wide valleys and
swift rivers.
Economy: Many colonists farmed wheat and other
grains. Known as the “Bread Basket Colonies.” Factories
produced iron, paper, textiles, and cloth.
Government: Many places here guaranteed religious
tolerance and banned taxation without representation
Culture: Colonists here came from many different
European countries. Culture here included a mix of
different traditions and religions.
Answer Key
Southern Colonies
Georgia
Maryland
North Carolina
South Carolina
Virginia
Geography: Warmest of the three regions. Good soil
and flat land. Colonies here were agricultural.
Economy: Many plantations grew crops including sugar,
rice, cotton, indigo, and tobacco. Crops were maintained
by slave labor.
Government: The land owners of this region held most
of the political power.
Culture: Many wealthy land owners, slaves, and
indentured servants. Diverse and unequal society.
Terms and Vocabulary Match-Up
“No taxation without
representation”
A slogan colonists used to express
their frustration of being taxed
without having people in the
government that spoke for the
colonists.
Religious Tolerance
People cannot be persecuted, or
treated differently, because of their
religion
Plantation
Large plot of land used for farming.
People who owned the land, as well
as the workers lived on the land.
Colony
A territory under the political control
of a country or state.
Agriculture
Production of food and goods through
farming and forestry
Terms and Vocabulary Match-Up
Answer Key
“No taxation without
representation”
A slogan colonists used to express
their frustration of being taxed
without having people in the
government that spoke for the
colonists.
Religious Tolerance
People cannot be persecuted, or
treated differently, because of their
religion
Plantation
Large plot of land used for farming.
People who owned the land, as well
as the workers lived on the land.
Colony
A territory under the political control
of a country or state.
Agriculture
Production of food and goods through
farming and forestry
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