England's first successful American colonies
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how England's first successful colonists interacted with Native Americans.
Key learning points
- The first successful North American English colony was Jamestown.
- Colonials at first relied on Native Americans for help with food.
- Tensions rose between colonists and Native Americans, leading to multiple conflicts.
Keywords
Native American - Native Americans are the original inhabitants of North and South America and the Caribbean Islands
Assembly - an assembly is a group who meet to make laws for a community
Powhatan - the Powhatan are a Native American nation who lived in the region which became Virginia
Tensions - tensions are feelings of anger or fear between two groups
Reservations - reservations are areas of land set aside for a community of people to live on
Common misconception
John Rolfe’s marriage to Pocahontas represented goodwill between colonists and the Powhatan tribe.
Pocahontas' marriage involved her capture and forced conversion to Christianity. Pocahontas was used by the English for their own advantage.
Teacher tip
For the timeline task, pupils could alternatively be provided with three images which represent the three missing events (i.e. an empty plate, tobacco leaf/ cigarette, and a group of men). Ask them to identify what each relates to and how they know.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the key words with the correct definitions.
Q2.What alternative name was given to Roanoke?
Q3.Potosi mine helped increase Spain's wealth because of its huge amounts of __________
Q4.Roanoke was England's first permanent __________ in the Americas.
Q5.Identify an example of indigenous resistance to European spiritual conquest.
Q6.Sort the events into chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.True or false? The Powhatans always fought against English settlers in Jamestown.
Q2.Write the missing word. By 1650, members of the Powhatan nation had been dispossessed by settlers and forced to live on _______ .
Q3.What crop did settlers around Jamestown begin selling to Europe in 1614?
Q4.Write the missing word. Before marrying the colonist John Rolfe, Pocahontas was _______ by English settlers and converted to Christianity.
Q5.What was the main cause of the 'starving times' in Jamestown?
Q6.Why did tobacco farming lead to conflict between settlers and the Powhatans?
To help you plan your 8 history lesson on: England's first successful American colonies, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 history lesson on: England's first successful American colonies, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the European conquest of the Americas: why was its impact so devastating? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.