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History, Civics & Social Studies · Grade 5

Colonization and Diverse Colonial Experiences

Fifth graders examine why Spain, France, the Netherlands and England explored and colonized North America and where they settled; trace the Columbian Exchange of plants, animals and diseases; compare the economies of the New England, Middle and Southern colonies; and compare how colonization was experienced by Native nations, enslaved Africans, indentured servants, women and free colonists.

  • 4 lessons
  • About 105 minutes
  • Colonization check: 9 questions
  • Ways to answer: choose an answer, pin a map, pick map regions, match pairs, put in order and sort into groups
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What learners will discover

  • Explain why European nations explored and colonized North America, and locate major colonizing countries and early settlements.
  • Describe the Columbian Exchange and its effects on Native nations, Europe and Africa.
  • Compare the geography and economies of the New England, Middle and Southern colonies.
  • Compare the experiences of different groups in colonial North America, including Native nations, enslaved Africans, indentured servants, women and free colonists.

Lessons

  1. Why and where Europeans colonized 5 steps4 practiceabout 28 min
  2. The Columbian Exchange 3 steps2 practiceabout 24 min
  3. Three colonial regions 4 steps3 practiceabout 26 min
  4. Many colonial experiences 5 steps3 practiceabout 27 min
  5. Colonization check 9 questions at the end

Keep exploring

More 5th grade social studies

Guide for grown-ups