Curated OER
Thirteen Original Colonies
An outstanding instructional activity on the Thirteen Original Colonies, and the settling of Pennsylvania by William Penn is here for your learners. Valuable discussion takes place regarding how the colonies were settled, and some...
Curated OER
Colonial Founders
Who were the founding fathers of the American Colonies? Engage in online activities, Internet research, and focused writing to find out. Students choose one colonial founder, conduct biographical research on the person, and take a quiz...
Curated OER
The Restoration Colonies
Explore the earliest American cities in this presentation, which details the demographics, geography, and characteristics of New York, Pennsylvania, and the Carolinas, among others. These slides help to fill in the gap between the...
Curated OER
William Penn's Peaceable Kingdom
Students explain the methods Penn used to attract settlers to his colony. They compare and contrast Penn's account with Daniel Pastorius' account. Students evaluate the effectiveness of Penn's ability to attract settlers to the colony....
Curated OER
Thirteen Original Colonies
Students use maps, the Internet, graphic organizers and discussion to explore the history of the Middle American Colonies. They consider how the colonies were founded and the ideas of religious freedom and self-government they embodied.
Curated OER
The Three Faces of William Penn
Students analyze art depicting William Penn. They analyze three different paintings discussing the symbolism, artistic elements, and depiction of Native Americans in each painting.
Curated OER
"English Colonies"
Fifth graders create a tri- fold brochure around the topic of a colonial settlement that has been studied in the classroom for about 2 weeks prior to the workshop. They work with Publisher to create a brochure about a specific...
Curated OER
Creating a Government of the People
Students research Penn's model for the government of Pennsylvania. Through assessment of this framework, students create a class constitution and working government.
Yale University
Avalon Project: Charter for the Province of Pennsylvania 1681
The complete text of the original land grant given to William Penn to settle Pennsylvania.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Utopian Promise: William Penn
Quaker and son of the founder of Pennsylvania, William Penn's utopian dreams for America were compiled into a large collection highlighting his views of American ideals of politics. Click on "William Penn Activities" for related resources.
Library of Congress
Loc: Today in History: August 24: William Penn & the Panic of 1857
Library of Congress website on the Panic of 1857 as well as the acquisition of Maryland-Pennsylvania.
Other
Religious Society of Friends: Willliam Penn: First Great Champion for Liberty
Abridged biography of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania responsible for establishing the notion of freedom of conscience in America.
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: Pennsylvania Colony: The Holy Experiment [Pdf]
In this lesson, 5th graders learn about the people who founded the Pennsylvania colony and the role that religion played in shaping it. Includes background information for the teacher. Students explore primary resource readings on the...
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: American Indians and English Settlers in Colonial America
In this instructional activity, 5th graders examine the relations between Indians and the settlers in the 1600s and 1700s. Background information for teachers is included. Students will work in groups to look at three different colonies...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: William Penn
The Library of Congress presents this brief biography of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania. Provides photographs of his home and church, as well as a portrait of this famous Quaker.
Other
A Brief History of New Sweden in America
This site details the Swedish settlement along the Deleware River, founded in 1638 and lasting till 1681.
Digital History
Digital History: The Middle Colonies: William Penn's Holy Commonwealth
The Quakers were persecuted in England and in many English colonies. Read about William Penn's establishment of the colony of Pennsylvania where Quakers and others could live with religious liberty.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: William Penn's Peaceable Kingdom
In this lesson plan, students will consider "William Penn's Peaceable Kingdom." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
State Library of North Carolina
N Cpedia: Quakers
Read about the history of the Quakers, also called the Religious Society of Friends, who are the oldest organized Christian church in North Carolina.
Other
Historical Society of Pennsylvania: Liberty on the Anvil
William Penn's Charter of Privileges, which formed the framework for the government of Pennsylvania, is still a living document today. Read about its history and its influence on the Liberty Bell.
Other
State Museum of Pennsylvania: The William Penn Treaty Collection
An online exhibit featuring a collection of historical articles and pictorial images from the founding of Pennsylvania.
Other
Pennsylvania General Assembly: The Quaker Province: 1681 1776
This resource presents an essay that describes the founding of Pennsylvania as a refuge for Quakers.
Other
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission: William Penn
This resource presents a biographical essay about William Penn that highlights his role in the establishment of Pennsylvania.
Other
Pennsbury Manor: William Penn
This resource includes a biography of William Penn, as well as links to other information regarding his life and the founding of Pennsylvania.