In this Grade 5 lesson from Social Studies Alive! America's Past, students explore the challenges faced by the first three English settlements in North America: Roanoke, Jamestown, and Plymouth. Students learn key concepts including colonist, settlement, monarchy, representative government, and the Mayflower Compact, examining why some colonies survived while others, like the "lost colony" of Roanoke, did not. The lesson covers the motivations that drove English settlers across the Atlantic, from the search for gold to the pursuit of religious freedom.
Section 1
English Expansion Displaces Native Peoples
When English settlers first arrived, their relationship with Native Americans was complex.
At times, they cooperated. Native peoples traded food with the settlers and taught them how to plant crops like corn. This help was essential for the survival of colonies like Jamestown and Plymouth.
Section 2
Settlers Face a Harsh New World
The first English settlers dreamed of riches and freedom, but they faced extreme hardships in North America. The new land was a harsh environment, and they were not prepared for the cold winters or the challenges of farming unfamiliar soil.
Many colonists suffered from disease and terrible starvation. During the "Starving Time" in Jamestown, most of the settlers died. These difficult conditions meant that survival was a constant, daily struggle for the early colonies.
Section 3
Settlers Build Lasting Colonies
Getting to America was just the first step.
To build a lasting home, the settlers in Jamestown and Plymouth had to figure out how to survive. They needed more than just hope.
Section 4
Colonists Form Early Governments
The English settlers were thousands of miles from their king and government in England. To survive, they needed to create their own rules and keep order. This led to early experiments in making their own laws.
Before landing at Plymouth, the Pilgrims signed the Mayflower Compact, a promise to create and obey fair laws. In Virginia, colonists formed the House of Burgesses, a group of elected leaders who made laws for the colony. These were important first steps toward self-government in America.
Expand to review the lesson summary and core properties.
Section 1
English Expansion Displaces Native Peoples
When English settlers first arrived, their relationship with Native Americans was complex.
At times, they cooperated. Native peoples traded food with the settlers and taught them how to plant crops like corn. This help was essential for the survival of colonies like Jamestown and Plymouth.
Section 2
Settlers Face a Harsh New World
The first English settlers dreamed of riches and freedom, but they faced extreme hardships in North America. The new land was a harsh environment, and they were not prepared for the cold winters or the challenges of farming unfamiliar soil.
Many colonists suffered from disease and terrible starvation. During the "Starving Time" in Jamestown, most of the settlers died. These difficult conditions meant that survival was a constant, daily struggle for the early colonies.
Section 3
Settlers Build Lasting Colonies
Getting to America was just the first step.
To build a lasting home, the settlers in Jamestown and Plymouth had to figure out how to survive. They needed more than just hope.
Section 4
Colonists Form Early Governments
The English settlers were thousands of miles from their king and government in England. To survive, they needed to create their own rules and keep order. This led to early experiments in making their own laws.
Before landing at Plymouth, the Pilgrims signed the Mayflower Compact, a promise to create and obey fair laws. In Virginia, colonists formed the House of Burgesses, a group of elected leaders who made laws for the colony. These were important first steps toward self-government in America.