This lesson helps students gain a better understanding of geographic tools and their application for interpreting information. Students learn about why the early colonists settled in the areas they did and the types of economic patterns that emerged due to the physical environment. In the process, students differentiate between different types of regions and how they may develop based on human actions or their physical geography

In the previous unit, students learned about European exploration and colonization in the Western Hemisphere. Students were introduced to the English colonial regions (New England, Middle and Southern colonies) and reasons for coming to the New World. This lesson investigates where and why the English colonists settled in America. The lesson also looks at leaders who had an impact on the development of the colonies and their reasons for founding the colonies.

In this lesson, students learn about the governing systems that developed in the colonies. Systems of government are compared, particularly those that are representative of the people and those that rule/d without the consent of the people, including the monarchy.

In this lesson, explore the political, economic, and social factors that influenced the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the importance of this document. They look at the events of the American Revolution, and look forward to elements that should be included in the new government in order to assure that the grievances in the Declaration of Independence are addressed.

In this lesson, students learn about the political, economic, and geographic regional differences that led to conflict in the United States through map sketches, primary sources, problem-solving and points of view.

Students and teachers can learn about the Haudenosaunee Alliance of various Native American groups including the Mohak from North Carolina.

In this lesson, students explore the science involved in the making of items used in colonial life: bread, butter, soap, candles, wool, etc. Students will also evaluate evidence that indicates a physical change has occurred.

This downloadable document contains activities related to important historical events that happened in Halifax, North Carolina. Topics include the Halifax Print Shop, Halifax Imports/Exports, The Halifax Resolves, and Underground Railroad.

In this lesson, students will use primary source materials to investigate the economy, physical geography, and cultural aspects of the Northern States and the Southern States prior to the Civil War.

This inquiry-based module provides primary and secondary sources to help students answer the question: “Why was ice cream an exclusive treat at Mount Vernon long ago?” Using a familiar sweet treat as an entry point, the students research and analyze the lives of enslaved individuals, specialized skills, and the objects that went into serving a single dish of ice cream. Source materials include farm reports, material culture objects, rooms, maps, and biographies.

This inquiry-based module provides primary and secondary sources to help students answer the question: “Why was ice cream an exclusive treat at Mount Vernon long ago?” Using a familiar sweet treat as an entry point, the students research and analyze the lives of enslaved individuals, specialized skills, and the objects that went into serving a single dish of ice cream. Source materials include farm reports, material culture objects, rooms, maps, and biographies.

This unit is designed for students to learn to make judgments and decisions based on facts, and to use informational and imaginative speech to present their personal viewpoint and opinion to others. Students experience, first hand, taxation without representation, and will develop a very real sense for the need to preserve the inherent freedoms of man. Using the American flag as a graphic organizer, students will develop a clear understanding of the actions and reactions of the American colonists to British rule and to our most important national holiday, the 4th of July. Historically significant events will be studied and organized through exploration of facts and opinions and interaction with informational text and class discussion.

In this activity, students examine a political cartoon drawn by Benjamin Franklin and answer a series of questions. The questions are designed to guide students into a deeper analysis of the source and sharpen associated cognitive skills.

This interactive resource allows students to better understand reasons Americans, and those who led them, went to war to win independence from England. Students read and answer questions throughout the module.

In this activity, students examine a photograph of a famous painting and answer a series of questions. The questions are designed to guide students into a deeper analysis of the source and sharpen associated cognitive skills.

Students will learn about the Loyalists who sided with the British during the American Revolution and what happened to the ones who lived in North Carolina.

This lesson helps students understand the causes and effects of exploration with an emphasis on European exploration of North America. Students learn when, where, and why groups of people colonized and settled what is today the United States. Through group activities, reading and discussions, students learn the economic, social and political reasons for exploration and settlement.

In this lesson, students will explain the causes, major events, and consequences of the Civil War by examining how the differences between the North and South create conflict and war between the two regions.

In this online interactive, students explore a port town in 1850, then set sail for a whaling expedition.

The compelling question for this resource is, "Did the French Lose out in North America?" In this resource, students will explore what relationships developed between Native Americans and the French over the fur trade, review the benefits and costs of the North American fur trade, and make a claim about the French and Indian war. Students will be able to identify examples of French influence and heritage.