University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Colonial Period of American History
Comprehensive information about the colonial period of American History. Includes information about New England, colonies, government, people, The French and Indian War, and the Salem Witch Trials.
Library of Congress
Loc: Teachers: Geography and Its Impact on Colonial Life
Beginning with a discussion on how people adapt to or relocate to environments, this lesson encourages students to explore why the Colonists settled in specific regions. In groups, students examine primary documents, analyzing Colonists'...
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg: A Colonial Christmas in Wiliamsburg
Site offers a glimpse of Christmas Celebrations in Colonial Virginia.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg: Travel in the 18th Century
This site has a lesson plan that contrasts the methods of travel during Colonial Times, with those of today.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg: Redefining Family
This site from the Colonial Williamsburg Museum explores the different "families" of colonial Williamsburg. Content includes a focus on each cultural group: white, Native American, and black.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg: Christmas in Colonial Virginia
Detailed description of a typical Colonial Virginian Christmas celebration and how it differs from the modern Christmas.
Library of Congress
Loc: Geography and Its Impact on Colonial Life
European settlement patterns were influenced by geographic conditions such as access to water, harbors, natural protection, arable land, natural resources and adequate growing season and rainfall. Examine a variety of primary sources to...
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg: The Randolphs
Learn about the Randolphs, a wealthy family of influence in Colonial America.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Learning About Colonial Life
This is a group activity that allows young scholars to use predictions to learn about the lifestyle of American colonists.
Other
Colonial America: Life in Colonial America
Here's a site with lots of information written by middle school students. Click on English Colonial Life, then Development of Self-Government for more information on government of the colonies.
Bibliomania
Bibliomania: English in Virginia
This Bibliomania site surveys the literary history of the English in colonial Virginia. Includes analysis of the work of Captain John Smith, William Strachey, and George Sandys. Links to other notes about early American literature.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg: Experience Colonial Life
Experience colonial life through a variety of narratives. Topics include the African-American experience, animals, Christmas, clothing, family, food, gardening, manners, politics, religion, tools, and trades.
Other
New York State Museum: Colonial Albany
Provides information about life in the colonial village of Albany. Includes many resources about important structures, happenings, and people. A great resource for information on colonial America as a whole.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg: Meet the People
Meet the people of colonial Williamsburg! Content includes a focus on the life of African-Americans, colonial children, tradesmen, and elite members of society. Special focus is also placed on the lives of George & Martha Washington,...
Library of Congress
Loc: American Memory: Colonial Settlement 1600s 1763
The settlement of the colonies in America is the focus of this article. The course of events is divided into topics and time periods, making it easier to understand. Note is made of the effects to the already present Native Americans as...
University of California
History Project: Identifying Colonial Diversity Through Passenger Lists [Pdf]
Lesson plan using primary sources in which learners examine colonial ship passenger lists to identify diversity in the colonies.
CPALMS
Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: Colonists: What Were They Thinking?
This tutorial looks at the British political traditions that influenced the American colonists as they gained their independence from Britain and created their own form of government. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.
Schools of California Online Resources for Education
Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute: Colonial Punishment
Article on crime and types of punishment used in Colonial Virginia. Gives students an idea of what it was like to live in the English colonies.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Emergence of Colonial Government
Detailed essay which shows how colonial self-government developed prior to the Revolutionary War.
State Library of North Carolina
N Cpedia: Colonial Period Overview
The first permanent English settlers in North Carolina emigrated from the tidewater area of southeastern Virginia. The first of these "overflow" settlers moved into the area of the Albemarle Sound in northeast North Carolina around 1650....
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Mapping Colonial New England: Looking at New England Landscape
In this lesson plan, young scholars will consider "Mapping Colonial New England: Looking at the Landscape of New England." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
The King's English: 18th Century Language
This article about the language spoken in the 18th century comes from the teacher newsletter for Colonial Williamsburg. Forms of address, greeting, and farewells are covered in detail.
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: Washington's Rise Begins: A Journal of a Noteworthy Journey
In this lesson, 5th graders examine letters and entries from George Washington's diaries to understand more about his character and ambitions, and the conflict and cooperation that existed between the French and English colonists and the...
PBS
Pbs: Nova: John Smith's Bold Endeavor
A historian discusses the relationship between John Smith and Pocahontas, and, more broadly, the competing expectations of the Indians and English colonists in terms of the relationship of the two groups.