×
<< BACK TO THE TEACH HUB

Colonial Influences

Lesson Plan

American colonists had some strong ideas about what they wanted in a government. These ideas surface in colonial documents, and eventually became a part of the founding documents like the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. But where did they come from?  This lesson looks at the Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, English Bill of Rights, Cato’s Letters and Common Sense. 

Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!  

*Note: One or more of the activities for this lesson is not compatible with Kami viewer at this time. Be sure to check the “Download Resources” button below to use these activities.

 

Pedagogy Tags

Teacher Resources

Get access to lesson plans, teacher guides, student handouts, and other teaching materials.

Colonial Influences American Government Influences Lesson Plan 01 - Activity
Colonial Influences American Government Influences Lesson Plan 02 - Reading
Colonial Influences American Government Influences Lesson Plan 04 -Matching Activity

Related Resources

  • DBQuest

    America's Founding Preambles

    Learn how the American idea of government evolved from a revolutionary response to monarchy to a union of states. The sources will illustrate the effort taken to reach “a more perfect union” through a close read of our founding documents. Students will dig into the preambles and introductory text of the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution. 
    View
  • Lesson Plan

    Colonial Beginnings

    From the first settlers in Jamestown to the first shots at Lexington, American colonists set up their own governments. How did colonial government take shape and what exactly did it look like?  In this lesson, students explore how colonial government was both similar to and different from government in Britain and how it influenced the government we have today. Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!  
    View kami
  • Game

    Constitutional Compromise

    Can you find a path forward for a new nation... with a lot of disagreements?
    View
  • Lesson Plan

    Constitutional Compromise Extension Pack

    Make your students’ game play more meaningful by using our activity and assessment set designed specifically for Constitutional Compromise. This easy-to-use Extension Pack helps you give context and purpose to the game, as well as reinforce and assess the game concepts. That means deeper learning for students and best practices around game-centered learning for you!  Extension Packs offer Google Slides and are designed for use with projectors or interactive whiteboards.
    View kami
  • Lesson Plan

    Continent to the Colonies

    From the time Columbus first set foot in North America, Europeans were interested in the continent. In this American colonization lesson, students learn about the three main reasons behind European exploration and colonization in the Americas: economics, religion, and glory, and learn about the impact of European colonization in the Americas. (This lesson was formerly "Columbus to the Colonies")
    View kami
  • Lesson Plan

    Got Grievances?

    You bet we do! What economic, political, and social factors led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence and American Revolution? Find out what caused the colonies to break from Great Britain and analyze how those factors were reflected as part of the Declaration of Independence.
    View kami
  • Lesson Plan

    Hey, King: Get Off Our Backs!

    Follow the grievances of the American colonists from oppressive British policies to the creation of the Declaration of Independence. Stamp Act primary source extension included!
    View kami
  • Lesson Plan

    Major Clash? Compromise!

    Welcome to the Constitutional Convention! In this lesson, students learn how delegates met at the Convention with different ideas and came out of the Convention with a compromise that we now call the U.S. Constitution.
    View kami
  • Game

    Race to Ratify

    Make your own history! Are you team Federalist or AntiFederalist?
    View
  • Lesson Plan

    Race to Ratify Extension Pack

    Make your students’ gameplay more meaningful by using our activity and assessment set designed specifically for Race to Ratify. This easy-to-use Extension Pack helps you give context and purpose to the game, as well as reinforce and assess the game concepts. That means deeper learning for students and best practices around game-centered learning for you! Extension Packs require PowerPoint and are designed for use with projectors or interactive whiteboards.  
    View kami

See how it all fits together!

View Scope and Sequence