Colonial History: What Would You Do? (Decision-Making and Critical-Thinking Curriculum)

Students tackle fascinating historical questions that put them in the shoes of a range of people from the past, from the rich and famous to ordinary citizens. Each lesson can be done either as an in-depth activity requiring up to two full class periods, or as a “quick motivator” requiring only 20–30 minutes. Detailed teacher pages give step-by-step instructions, list key vocabulary terms, offer troubleshooting tips, present ideas for post-activity discussions, and furnish lists of related sources. Reproducible student handouts clearly lay out the decision-making scenarios, provide "outcomes," and present related primary source readings and/or images with analysis questions. Decision-Making Book available for purchase on Social Studies School Service. Critical Thinking book forthcoming on Social Studies School Service. Free samples available below!

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Free Lessons

Lesson List: Colonies,Decision Making in History

INTRODUCTION – Guide to Critical Thinking

LESSON 1 – Columbus: Will you, as Queen Isabella, give financial and/or official support to Columbus?

LESSON 2 – Jamestown: Will you invest in the Virginia Company?

LESSON 3 – Mayflower Compact: How will rules be made when the colonists land at Plymouth?

LESSON 4 – Slavery in the New World: Will you use free labor, indentured servants, or slaves on your sugar plantation in Barbados?

LESSON 5 – Native Americans: Would you, as the Iroquois, keep fighting or negotiate in 1677?

LESSON 6 – Salem Witch Trials: So, now you must decide: is there sufficient evidence to send Rebecca Nurse to trial for witchcraft?

LESSON 7 – Zenger Trial: Will you print the articles of the anti-governor group?

LESSON 8 – Causes of the French and Indian War: Will you, as the French, negotiate or fight for land in the Ohio Valley?

Published Materials

Sample Lesson: Colonies, Decision Making in History

Free Lesson! Conspiracy Theories (1692-1789)

Annotated Bibliography: Colonies

(order from socialstudies.com)

Lesson List: Colonies, Critical Thinking in History (written and coming soon!)

  • LESSON 1: Skill: IDENTIFY PERSONAL BIAS Historical Topic: Colonial History in General

  • LESSON 2: Skill: EVALUATE HISTORICAL SOURCES Historical Topic: Colonial History in General

  • LESSON 3: Skill: EVALUATE ONLINE SOURCES Historical Topic: 13 American Colonies

  • LESSON 4: Skill: EVIDENCE FOR AND AGAINST A CAUSE Historical Topic: Population Growth in New England Colonies

  • LESSON 5: Skill: CONNECTION BETWEEN CAUSE AND EFFECT Historical Topic: Anasazi Indians

  • LESSON 6: Skill: CONNECTION BETWEEN CAUSE AND EFFECT Historical Topic: French and Indian War

  • LESSON 7: Skill: FORECASTING Historical Topic: Plymouth Colony

  • LESSON 8: Skill: IS THIS A CAUSE IN OTHER COLONIES? Historical Topic: Seeds of Democracy in American Colonies

  • LESSON 9: Skill: CREATE AN INTERPRETATION Historical Topic: Salem Witch Trials

  • LESSON 10: Skill: EVALUATE INTERPRETATIONS Historical Topic: Salem Witch Trials

Free Lesson: Should Columbus Statues Be Taken Down?

Sample Lesson: Colonies, Critical Thinking in History

In this lesson, students practice the skill of evaluating the legitimacy of online sources of information about history.

Sample Critical Thinking Lesson Supplement: Salem Witch Trials