Colonial America Activity Bundle for 3rd–5th Grade

Teach the 13 Colonies and early colonial life with this engaging 16-page activity pack designed for 3rd–5th grade social studies! This resource blends informative readings, interactive mapping, cut-and-paste activities, primary-source style illustrations, cooking connections, and historical comparison charts—all based directly on the included student pages.

Perfect for classrooms, homeschool families, and Early American History units, these materials help students understand the regions of the 13 Colonies, important colonial leaders, the Pilgrims, the First Thanksgiving, daily life in the colonies, and even colonial cooking.

✨ What’s Included (15 Pages)

1. 13 Colonies Reading + Region Sorting Map Activity

Students read a clear overview of the New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies—including their reasons for settlement, industries, cultures, and geography. They then complete a mapping and regional comparison activity, labeling colonies, shading regions, and filling in key details.

2. Important Colonial Figures Coloring & Info Page

Students learn about historical leaders such as John Smith, Anne Hutchinson, William Bradford, and William Penn—plus the vital assistance of Native Americans.

3. Pilgrims Reading Passage + Mapping Activity

A student-friendly reading explains who the Pilgrims were, why they came to America, and their relationship with the Wampanoag. Students then complete a mapping activity tracing the Mayflower’s route, labeling Plymouth, Jamestown, dates, and adding illustrations.

4. The First Thanksgiving Reading + Sorting Activity

Students read about the real First Thanksgiving and learn which foods came from the Pilgrims and which came from the Wampanoag. Includes cut-and-sort food pictures for a hands-on comparison activity.

5. Colonial Times vs. Modern Times (Then & Now)

A two-page chart comparing daily life—homes, school, travel, food, work, communication, lighting, entertainment, and community life.

6. Colonial Cooking (Butter & Cornbread Recipes)

Students experience history through simple colonial-style cooking with a butter-making activity and cornbread recipe.

📘 Standards AlignmentC3 Framework for Social Studies (Grades 3–5)

• D2.His.1–6: Historical events, chronology, and perspectives
  
• D2.His.14: Using historical sources
  
• D2.Geo.2–5: Regions, geography, human-environment interaction
  
• D2.Civ.2: Roles, responsibilities, community life
  
• D2.Eco.1: Colonial economy & trade
  

Common Core ELA Integration

• RI.3–5: Reading informational text (Pilgrims, Colonies, Thanksgiving)
  
• W.3–5: Explanatory & narrative writing
  
• SL.3–5: Collaborative discussions
  
• L.3–5: Vocabulary and content terminology
  

State Social Studies Standards (Typical 3rd–5th Grade)

• 13 Colonies: regions, cultures, and economies
  
• Pilgrims, colonists, and Native American relationships
  
• Early American settlement and colonial daily life
  
• First Thanksgiving: historical accuracy and perspectives
  
• Mapping early colonies & comparing past/present
  

🎯 Perfect For

• 3rd–5th Grade Classrooms
  
• Homeschool Curriculum
  
• Early American History Units
  
• Centers, small groups, sub plans
  
• Interactive notebooks & portfolios
  

*These projects are from Unit 3 of our full-year Early American History curriculum.