Colonies by Region

Aim: How did geography and economics lead to the development of distinct colonial regions in North America?

Part 1: Do Now (5 min = 6 - 8 sentences)

Think about a time you traveled to a different part of the country. What were some of the differences you noticed in the climate, land, and the types of jobs people had?

Part 2: The Group Gallery Walk

We will now divide into "expert groups" to learn about one of the three colonial regions. Your task is to become an expert on your assigned region's geography, economy, and society. You will then teach this information to your "home group," which is a form of Group Gallery Walk.

Instructions:

1. Your teacher will assign you to an "expert group." Read the primary source excerpt for your assigned region and answer the questions below.

2. Use the graphic organizer to take notes on your region.

3. When instructed, join your "home group" and teach your group members about your region.

Expert Group Readings & Questions:

New England Colonies (Excerpt from letter by a Puritan settler in Massachusetts, 1630s)

Our first winter here was very difficult. The ground is stony and the forests are thick. The soil is not well-suited for planting large fields of a single crop as they do in the south of England. Instead, we have learned to rely on the sea, with our fishermen bringing in cod and whales. Our harbors are deep and protected, making them ideal for shipbuilding. We live in close-knit communities, gathering at the meeting house, and our government is based on the idea of a "covenant" with God and each other. Hard work and piety are our guiding principles, for we came here to escape corruption and build a new society based on our faith.

• What geographical features of New England are described?

• How did these features influence the economy?

• What were the social and religious values of the people in this region?

Middle Colonies (Excerpt from a letter by a Quaker merchant in Pennsylvania, 1750s)

The land here is rich and fertile, well-suited for growing wheat, corn, and rye. Our farmers call this region the "breadbasket" of the colonies, and our port cities are bustling with ships taking our flour to other colonies and Europe. Unlike New England, our population is diverse, with Germans, Swedes, and Dutch living side by side with the English. We have a great respect for religious freedom and tolerance, which makes this a place where many different people can live and work together in peace. Our society is less centered on one single faith and more on commerce and trade.

• What geographical features of the Middle Colonies are described?

• How did these features influence the economy?

• What were the social and religious values of the people in this region?

Southern Colonies (Excerpt from a letter by a planter in Virginia, 1720s)

Our great plantations stretch for miles along the rivers, which are like our highways. We are blessed with a warm climate and rich, red soil, which is perfect for growing tobacco. The profits from this crop are immense, but it requires much labor, so our farms are quite large and spread far apart. There are very few towns, and we rely on trade with England for most of our finished goods. Our society is divided between the wealthy plantation owners and the majority of the population who are either small farmers or enslaved Africans. My house is a day's ride from my nearest neighbor, and our social gatherings are few.

• What geographical features of the Southern Colonies are described?

• How did these features influence the economy?

• What were the social and religious values of the people in this region?

Jigsaw Graphic Organizer

Colonial Region	Geography (Land, Climate, Waterways)	Economy (How they made money)	Society (Who lived there, beliefs)
New England
Middle
Southern

Part 3: Exit Ticket

In at least five sentences, describe what life was like in the Southern Colonies. Explain how the unique geography of this region shaped its economy and society, and provide specific examples from the reading.