12/27/09 (updated 1/26/11)
The Pilgrims. Grade Level: 6-8
All about the English settlers who founded the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts.
http://history.howstuffworks.com/american-history/pilgrims.htm
Jump Back in Time Colonial America Grade Level: 3-8
From 1492, when Christopher Columbus discovered land in the New World, to 1763, this site covers the history of America during these times. Follow the timeline to read about events like the first colony, Jamestown, founded in 1607. There are articles about important people of the time. Read about Patrick Henry, William Penn, and John Hancock. Find out why these and others were significant in America's history. There are images to go with the information on the site. (From the Library of Congress.)
Topic: Colonies, History, Modern--17th century, North America--History--Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775, United States--History, World history--17th century
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/colonial/jb_colonial_subj.html
The 13 Colonies: Clickable map
Click on a colony to get information about that colony. http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/graphics/13mapnew.htm
The 13 Colonies Grade Level: 3-8
www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/13colonies1.htm
Timeline of Plymouth Colony 1620-1692 Grade Level: 3-8
The history of Plymouth Colony begins in 1620 with the landing of the Mayflower and ends with Plymouth being incorporated with the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1629. On this web site, you will be able to follow the major events of the settling and growth of New Plymouth Colony on a timeline. You will meet prominent colonists and learn about important events and struggles. You will find out how the colony expanded and how the colonists interacted with the Native Americans.
Topic: New Plymouth Colony, Pilgrims (New England Colonists), Pilgrims (New Plymouth Colony)
URL: http://www.plimoth.org/education/teachers/timeline.php
Plymouth Colony Grade Level: 6-8
History has been largely recorded through journals, letters, and by word of mouth from one generation to the next. The history of the Plymouth Colony and the Pilgrims has likewise been recorded in this way. Scholastic offers you the opportunity to read a short history of the early Plymouth Colony on its site. Definitions to key words and people are offered on the left and the bottom of the page offers an extensive listing of articles related to the colony. Many useful links are also provided so be sure to check them out as well.
Topic: New Plymouth Colony, Pilgrims (New England Colonists), Pilgrims (New Plymouth Colony)
URL: http://teacher.scholastic.com/researchtools/researchstarters/plymouth/
Jump Back in Time Colonial America: Henry Hudson and His Crew Sailed Into
The River that Would Bear His Name Grade Level: 3-8
"America's Story from America's Library" is part of the Library of Congress online collection of historical information from different points in time. This Web site describes explorer Henry Hudson's discovery of what would later be known as the Hudson River on September 3, 1909. The information includes a map and modern day picture of the region, a description of Hudson's ship the Half Moon, and a discussion of why this discovery is such an important accomplishment among all of his other voyages. There are additional links to more stories about Henry Hudson and his expeditions.
Topic: Explorers, Hudson River (N.Y. and N.J.)--History, Hudson, Henry,--d. 1611
URL: http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/colonial/jb_colonial_hudson_1.html
Colonial Williamsburg Trades Grade Level: 6-8
Typical colonial trades include the apothecary, blacksmith, milliner, brickmaker, carpenter, and silversmith. Find out what each of these tradespeople did in their daily work. Investigate the role of a cooper, founder, tailor, gunsmith, and wheelwright. Each of these trades served a vital function in colonial society, as people needed tools, barrels, guns, wagons, clothing, shoes, and furniture. A colonial apothecary also often served as the town doctor. While milliners only created clothes for women, tailors made clothes for men, women, and children. These illustrated entries explore twenty historic trades.
Topic: North America--History--Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
URL: http://www.history.org/Almanack/life/trades/tradehdr.cfm
Introduction to Colonial African American Life Grade Level: 6-12
This introduction to slavery during colonial times will increase your awareness of the fact that slavery was legal and existed in every American colony, not just on southern tobacco plantations. The labor-intensive tobacco farms required intense preparation, constant care and cultivation, and harvesting. While domestic slaves were less likely to be sold or punished severely, they were also less likely to live with their families or have Sundays off. Investigate other differences between field and domestic slaves, including tasks, work hours, living conditions, privacy, food and clothing, and knowledge about what was happening in the master's household.
Topic: African Americans--Colonization, African Americans--History-- Slavery
http://www.history.org/Almanack/people/african/aaintro.cfm
A Walk Through Newark Grade Level: 6-12
New Haven Puritans were displeased with the liberal thinking of the Connecticut colony and fled to an area along the Passaic River. This land was eventually purchased from the Hackensack Indians in exchange for gods. This website will walk you through the history of Newark and its deep religious roots. Photographs of historical landmarks add to the background information presented. This site provides information on the colonial founding, Industrial Revolution, riots, and 2002 and beyond.
Topic: Colonies, New Jersey, Newark (N.J.), Puritans
http://www.thirteen.org/newark/history.html
Daily Life in the Colonies Grade Level: 3-8
Farm work provided the central focus of daily life for 90% of New England Colonists. Daily chores included caring for livestock, preparing food, cleaning, sewing, and tending crops. Chores were separated between men and women. Men were responsible for planting, harvesting, building, and butchering. Women tended gardens, preserved food, and did spinning and weaving. Although most could neither read nor write, some owned sufficient land and livestock to live in economic comfort, while others served as laborers or slaves.
Topic: North America--History--Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty/perspectives_daily.html
Colonization--New England Grade Level: 6-12
This text provides an "Introduction to the Colonization of New England". Many Christians struggled against religious persecution during the Dark Ages in Europe. It had taken a long time before any religious freedoms would become possible. For this reason, many Christians looked to America. Some Christians from England escaped to Holland. However, they did not feel at home in that country. They had heard of a colony in Virginia in the New World. Read more here about the Pilgrim Fathers and the colonization of New England.
Topic: Colonization, Pilgrims (New England Colonists), Pilgrims (New Plymouth Colony)
URL: http://www.usahistory.info/New-England/
Jamestowne 1607-2007: The 400th Anniversary of America's First Permanent English Settlement Grade Level: 4-8
Can you imagine what it would be like to leave your home and settle in a far away land? The settlers of Jamestowne, America's first permanent English colony did just that. This illustrated virtual storybook tells the tale of their brave journey and the many obstacles they faced. What problems did the colony encounter? How did they survive? How did they colony develop? The answers to these questions and much more are found as you retrace the steps of these settlers.
Topic: Colonies, Colonization, Jamestown (Va.)--History, National parks and reserves, National parks and reserves--History
http://www.nps.gov/features/jame/feat0001/
Colonial House: Interactive History Grade Level: K-8
Would you have survived in colonial times? Idle behavior was considered a waste of time, so free time from chores was used for useful hobbies or community events. No fast food or shopping malls; people had to grow, cook, and make what they ate and wore. Authority, rank, and religion created the social order of the time. Take a look at typical colonial houses with interactive, panoramic views. Dress a colonist in their limited wardrobe in an interactive activity. Watch videos that allow Native Americans, women, men, indentured servants, and laborers to share their different perspectives of colonial times.
Topic: North America--History--Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775, United States--Social life and customs--To 1775
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/colonialhouse/history/
William Penn Grade Level: 6-12
Long before the existence of the Declaration of Independence and the United States, there was a voice in the colonies that spoke up for religious tolerance and liberty. It belonged to William Penn, a devout Quaker who established the colony of Pennsylvania in 1862. Because of Penn's policy of peace and religious tolerance, Pennsylvania became one of America's largest colonies and her first great "melting pot" of nationalities.
Topic: Penn, William,--1644-1718
http://www.quaker.org/wmpenn.html
The Tea Act Grade Level: 6-12
In May, 1773, a Tea Act was passed by England's Parliament. This overview explains just what this act was, and how it led to one of early America's seminal events, the Boston Tea Party. Learn how the Tea Act helped to trigger the American Revolution, even though it imposed no new taxes on American colonies. The economic ramifications of the Tea Act, and the ill will it fostered between American colonists and Britain, are also explained. In addition, read Thomas Jefferson's comments on this Act, under the link titled "Jefferson's Account."
Topic: Tea tax (American colonies)
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/related/teaact.htm
The Tea Tax and the Boston Tea Party Grade Level: 6-12
When England levied a tea tax on American colonies, the ensuing outrage was based more on principle than on finance. This web page explains why the tax on imported tea was so strongly opposed by American colonists, and eventually resulted in the Boston Tea Party. Learn how this protest led to the British Parliament's five "Intolerable Acts." Other links discuss the then-common practice of tarring and feathering, and also include an account from a Tea Party participant, and a Pennsylvania' farmer's protest letter from 1768. Topic: Boston Tea Party, 1773, Tea tax (American colonies)
http://www.historywiz.com/teatax.htm
The Stamp Act:
http://www.historywiz.com/stampact.htm
The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies Grade Level: 3-12
The Indiana School of Law, Bloomington, presents this Web site. Here you will find a copy of the Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies. The colonies declared that they wanted to be free from European rule. "We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States;"
Topic: Colonies, United States--History--1775-1783, Revolution, United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783, United States.--Declaration of Independence
URL: http://www.law.indiana.edu/uslawdocs/declaration.html
Loyalty or Liberty? Grade Level: 3-8
This web site contains an interactive game, a thought-provoking overview of daily life during the American Revolution. Students learn about the lives and choices of men, women, and children, both free and enslaved, who inhabited the capital city of the largest British colony in North America. In this game, you are a slave owned by John Randolph, a staunch Loyalist. As a Loyalist, he will soon leave Virginia and move to London. Choose which directions your adventures will take and learn at the same time!
Topic: American Loyalists, Loyalty
http://www.history.org/History/teaching/revolution/loyalty.html
CITE YOUR SOURCES:
How do I make a Bibliography?
Making a Bibliography made simple!
http://lps.lexingtonma.org/Libdept/elem.lib./ebib.html
Citation Machine
Type your resource into the form and Citation Machine will prepare your citation for you.
http://citationmachine.net/