Bring history to life for your students with this free, standards-based curriculum that examines early settlement history through the lens of your hometown. This short-focused research project fits into the Social Studies curriculum as part of state and local history or as an opening to a study of Native Americans or Early Settlement. Grades 5-8
The sequence of the Colonial Quest Curriculum is driven by questions:
- WHO were the first residents here?
- WHERE did the colonists come from?
- WHEN and WHY did they come?
- WHAT did the colonists do to establish this town?
The curriculum’s approach integrates place-based education, primary source exploration, and service learning: students use maps and town charters to track movement and settlement; they find early settlers in old burial grounds; learn more about specific people using proprietor’s records, the census and town histories; and share their learning via a Quest (educational treasure hunt).
Review Individual Lessons Here
2. Old England to New England
When and why did colonists leave England for New England? Where did they settle?
6. Writing our Quest
How can we share what we’ve learned with others?
7. Finishing Touches
What do we need to do to complete our Quest?
Take Your Class on a Colonial Quest
Claremont Colonial Quest, Claremont, NH
Center of Town Quest, Hartford, VT
Mill Cemetery Quest, Plainfield NH
Prouty Stories, Hanover NH
Hartland Anniversary Quest, Hartland VT
Valley Quest of White River Junction, White River Junction VT
