Middle colonies
Lesson
Created for Gynzy by: Jessica Rothaupt
General
In this lesson, students will learn about daily life within the Middle Colonies. They will explore climate and geography, economy, religion, and government.
Learning objective
Students will be able to describe the characteristics of daily life within the Middle colonies
Introduction
Students will begin the lesson by recalling what they already know about colonial life. Then, using photographs for support, they will describe what they think life was like during the 1600’sbefore we had supermarkets, motor vehicles, and technology
Instruction
Students explore a timeline to learn which explorers founded New York, Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania and when they were founded. The students will locate the colonies on a map and learn about the influence of climate and geography. Students will learn why the MiddleColonies were nicknamed “The Breadbasket Colonies” and how the colonists earned a living to provide for their families. They will also learn about the diversity and religious tolerance in the Middle Colonies. They will watch a video to learn more about the Quaker religion. Students will explore the daily roles of men, women, and children. Lastly, they will learn about William Penn’scontributions to democratic government policies.
Quiz
Students will respond to 10 questions including 6 true/false, 2 multiple-choice, and 2 open-ended.
Closing
Students will watch a video on the Middle Colonies, discuss what new information they learned and questions they still have. Students will explore a website of a biography of English Quaker leader and advocate of religious freedom, William Penn. They will explore a biography to create their own timeline of his life
Teaching tips
Chart key take-aways of climate and geography, economy, religion, daily roles, and government. Create a social studies vocabulary word wall with terms used throughout the lesson for students to refer to.