Objectives

• Identify the major players in America's colonzation
• Uncover the motivations and characteristics of America's colonzation

Time Required

Grade Level

Curriculum Fit

• 113.24.b.1.A. Idenitfy the major eras in U.S. history through 1877 and describe their defining characteristics.
• 113.24.b.1.B. Apply absolute and relative chronology through the sequencing of significant individuals, events and time periods.
• 113.24.b.1.C. Explain the significance of the following dates: 1607, 1776, 1787, 1803 and 1861-1865.
• 113.24.b.2.A. Identifyreasons for European exploration and colonization of North America.
• 113.24.b.10.A. Create thematic maps, graphs, charts, models and databases representing various aspects of the United States.
• 113.24.b.11.B. Compare places and regions of the United States in terms of physical and human charcteristics.
• 113.24.b.11.C. Analyze the effects of physical and human geographic factors on major historical and contemporary events in the United States.
• 113.24.b.24.A. Identify selected racial, ethnic and religious groups that settled inthe United States and their reasons for immigration.
• 113.24.b.30.A. Differentiate between, locate and use primary and secondary sources such as computer software, databases, media and news servies, biographies, interviews and artifacts to acquire information about the United States.
• 113.24.b.30.B. Analyze information by sequencing, categorizing, identifying cause-and-effect relationships, comparing, contrasting, finding the main idea, summarizing, making generalizations and perdictions, and drawing inferences and conclusions.
• 113.24.b.30.D. Identify points of view from the historical context surrounding an event and the frame of reference which influenced the participants.
• 113.24.b.31.C. Transfer information from one medium to another, including written to visual and statistical to written or visual, using computer software as appropriate.

Resources

• University of Calgary's The Peopling of North America
• Chapter 1: Early America in An Outline of American History from A Hypertext on American History
• Discovers by the Alphabet
• 169 Years of Historic Houston
• Focus on Your Community  Resource Page

• Films about America's colonization such as Pilgrim Adventure or Black Robe
• Your Textbook

Materials

• Worksheet 8.1

Preparation

• Be familiar with the answers to Worksheet 8.1

Procedure

1. Show a film or multimedia presentation addressing European colonization of America
2. Discuss with your class the major countries involved in America's colonization

1. Divide your students into three groups
2. Assign each group a country column from Worksheet 8.1 to complete
3. Students may complete their parts of the chart by refering to their text books and these websites
   • Univeristy of Calgary's The Peopling of North America
   • Chapter 1: Early America in An Outline of American History from A Hypertext on American History
4. Each group shares their answers with the class as the students complete their individual charts

1. Students now explore their community's beginning by reading the following excerpts individually or as a class
   • The Handbook of Texas
   • From Sister Agatha's History of the Houston Heights
     • "The Omaha and South Texas Land Company"
     • "Brashear's John Austin Grant"
2. Students are now ready to complete their charts
3. Guide a class discussion focusing on the similarities and differences between America's colonization and their community's beginning

Evaluation

Below is a sample grading rubric for this lesson.

Score 4	Score 3	Score 2	Score 1
Consistent participation in class discussion and group work	Frequent participation in class discussion and group work	Occasional participations in class discussion or group work	Rare participation in group discussion or group work
Thoroughly complete and accurate chart responses	Substantially complete and accurate chart responses	Partially complete and accurate chart responses	Incomplete or inaccurate chart responses

Conclusion

• Which European countires were most involved in the colonization of America?
• What are the motivations and characteristics of the colonization of America?
• In what ways is the founding of my communty similar to the colonization of America? How is it different?

Extension

1. Art
   • Examine European artistic depictions of the New World. Discuss their inaccuracies and the perception of the unknown in familiar terms.
2. Writing/Reading
   • Read one of the following books about young immigrants:
     • Children of the River by Linda Crew
     • Far From the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Watkins
     • A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
     • Where the Broken Heart Still Beats by Carolyn Meyer
3. Math
   • Determine the distances between various European countries and their settlements in the New World.
   • Dicuss different and unusual units of measurement like leagues, stones, slugs, et cetera.
4. Science
   • Discuss the essentials of navigation and magnetism.
   • Build a compass using How to Make a Compass
5. Social Studies
   • Play games and take these quizes from Quia!:
     • Explorers of North America
     • Early Explorers