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Educator Resource

Colonial World (1607-1763) Middle School Teacher Unit Overview

Unit 1 of Building a Self-Governing People BRI’s Civics and U.S. History Curriculum for Middle School, invites students to explore the challenges faced by early settlers, the development of colonial societies, and growing tensions with Britain. The unit emphasizes the establishment and practice of self-government in the American colonies.

Published
Oct 30, 2025

Unit Outline

Unit 1: Colonial World (1607-1763)

Explore the challenges faced by early settlers, the development of colonial societies, and the growing tensions with Britain.

Assessment Focus:

Thesis

DBQ/Essential Question: 

In what ways did different groups, such as religious communities, traders, and settlers in the American colonies establish and practice self-government?

 

 

DBQ Documents:

  • Document A: The First Charter of Virginia (1606)
  • Document B: The Mayflower Compact (1620)
  • Document C: The Charter of Maryland (1632)
  • Document D:The Frame of Government of Pennsylvania (1682)
DBQ Resources:

Topic 1 Topic 2 Topic 3 Topic 4
Establishing Colonies Economic Development Foundations of Self-government Cultural Exchange & Conflict

 

Guiding Question:

What factors influenced the establishment of different types of colonies in North America?

Guiding Question:

How did economic activities shape the development of the thirteen colonies?

Guiding Question:

What practices and institutions did colonists create to govern themselves?

Guiding Question:

How did different groups of people shape the cultural, social, and political landscape of the colonies? 

 

Resources:

Resources:

Resources:

Resources:

Principle(s)

  • Liberty
Virtue(s)

  • Courage
  • Responsibility
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standards