Grade 7 Social Studies Week Three Plan

Monday New France vs The Thirteen Colonies

Part ATalk about it 5-10 minutes
-

Review reasons the French and British came

o French:
Economy mostly focused on the fur trade. High demand for furs in
France, easier access if you have a colony
Competition
Religion Missionary work, spread the Catholic Faith
Curiosity about the world
o British:
Economy Britain had seen other countries (Spain, Portugal, and France)
make a lot of money in the Americas and wanted to do the same
Competition Spain and France were expanding their empires, Britain
wanted to prevent them from becoming more powerful
Quality of Life Not a lot of good farmland and cities were over crowded.
Colonies provided new opportunities
Religious Freedom groups such as the Puritans and Quakers were treated
poorly in Britain. Colonies offered place for religious freedom
This part of the lesson will be a full class discussion, students put up hands to answer
questions

Part B - Do it- ~ 20 minutes

French or British?
1. Imperialism
Mercantilism
2. Mostly Fur Trade
Fishing, Farming, and Logging
3. Goal collecting resources from the land
Goal establish large settlements to gain power
4. Lived in very cold climate
Climate was mild and good for farming
5. Few jobs available - mostly trappers and traders
Many jobs available - farmers, fishermen, loggers
6. Religion Wanted to spread Catholicism
Religion Wanted religious freedom
Religion Jesuits
Religion Puritans
Religion Quakers
7. Trade can only trade with Imperial country
Trade can trade with other countries
Trade monopoly granted by Imperial country

Trade encouraged to start businesses for profit

8. First Nations good relationship, shared knowledge both ways
First Nations population wiped out
Interacted with Wendat
Interacted with Beothuk
9. Created one colony in North America
Created several colonies in North America
10. Created one system of government
Had several systems of government
11. Population grew slowly
Population grew rapidly
-

Each student will be given a piece of paper with one of these traits on it. Working quietly
at their desk, their task is to decide whether their trait refers to the French or the British
settlement of North America.
On the back of the paper, they will write down which country they believe it relates to,
followed by one reason why they think this. Teacher will ask questions to direct
individuals who are uncertain
Once everyone is finished, they will be asked to go stand on one side of the room with
their paper (one side representing France, the other Britain).
Each student will then share the trait they were given and why they believe it belongs in
that colony
Teacher will keep track of these traits on the board

Part C Write about it remainder of class time

-

Now that we understand the difference between New France and the Thirteen Colonies,
which one would you rather live in? Why?
Write a letter to Mrs. Lewis to convince me why your choice is the best
Make sure you include some of the details we just discussed

Tuesday
-

Junior Achievement No lesson plan, just classroom management

Wednesday Mercantilism
Part A Consider One Perspective 15 minutes
-

Students will be split into 8 small groups and each given a large piece of paper with one
of the following perspectives, as well as the following questions written on it:
Perspectives
o First Nations
o English Colonist
o English Merchant

o King
Questions
o How would the mercantile system benefit your group? List as many ways as you
can think of
o In what ways might the mercantile system have been bad for your group? List as
many ways as you can think of
Part B Share with Peers and Create a Presentation 15 minutes
-

The two groups with the same perspective on their page will combine and compare the
lists that they made. What are the similarities and differences?
Work together to create a quick presentation to teach the class about your perspective.
Decide who is going to say what. Not everyone has to speak in the presentation
Possible presentation roles: introduce your perspective who are these people?, read one
of the items from the list, hold the two lists so the class can see them, conclude the
presentation, ask for questions (these roles will be listed on a hand-out given to the
students at the start of this activity)

Part C Share with the Class 10-15 minutes

-

Each group shares their learning with the class. Other students may ask questions at the
end of the presentation

Part D Fill in worksheet (given out with the map) until the end of class
Thursday Questcussion on the Thirteen Colonies
-

What else do you want to know about the Thirteen Colonies?

Part A Creating Questions 15 minutes

-

Working in groups, brainstorm as many questions as you can about life in the thirteen
colonies. They can be about ANYTHING in the thirteen colonies
Focus on what you are interested in. What do you want to know?
Dont try to answer these questions yet, just keep asking more questions
Make a list of all the questions your group comes up with

Part B Share your best questions 5 minutes

-

Put a star next to all of the questions on your list that you think are really good questions
One group at a time, share these questions with the class. Teacher makes a list on the
board

Part C What are you interested in? 5 minutes

Make a list of the questions from the board (or other ones you think of on your own) that
you would like to learn more about. Write this list down (handout to be distributed at the
beginning of class)

Part D Follow your interests! Rest of class time

-

Using computers (classroom and learning commons) or ipads, try to find some answers to
the questions on your list. This task is not about finding one right answer, but about
learning something new about the thirteen colonies. Make notes about what you find
During this time, Enrichment group can meet with Mrs. Lewis to talk about their projects.

Friday What did you learn?

-

use class time today to represent what you learned yesterday in a way that interests you.
Options: write a paragraph, make a comic, draw a series of pictures (with captions),
make a powerpoint, write a story. If you have other ideas of how you would like to
represent your learning, come talk to your teacher about it!
- what day next week should they hand this in?
** Next week, talk about what it was like learning by following your curiosity. Was it
difficult? What did you like about it? Not like about it? What would you do differently next
time? Would you like to do this again?