American Colonists and the Environment

Social Studies American History Colonial America American Colonists and the Environment
Students brainstorm what are natural resources that they use every day. Then they examine how the American colonists adapted to and modified their environment. Next they explain the Columbian Exchange. Finally, they create a poster about the Columbian Exchange.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

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Here are the teacher pack items for American Colonists and the Environment:

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Overview

In this experience, students brainstorm what are natural resources that they use every day. Then they examine how the American colonists adapted to and modified their environment. Next they explain the Columbian Exchange. Finally, they create a poster about the Columbian Exchange.

Estimated duration: 30-120 minutes, depending on how much time you want to give students to prepare their posters

Vocabulary words:

  • environment
  • sustainability
  • natural resource
  • adapt
  • modify
  • shelter
  • mortar
  • mercantile
  • species
  • immunity

Objectives

  • Explain how colonists used natural resources.
  • Describe the impact of the Columbian Exchange.


Engage


Every living thing on Earth interacts with both other living things and non-living natural resources, together known as the environment. The American Indian tribes had a sustainable lifestyle, which means they controlled their use of natural resources and did not cause damage to the environment. In this experience, you will learn how the European colonists interacted with the environment throughout the colonial period.

Objectives
  • Explain how colonists used natural resources.
  • Describe the impact of the Columbian Exchange.


black and white photo of a colonial log cabin, one end with two windows but no doors

Colonial Log House in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania


What is a natural resource that people use in their everyday lives? To list two or more resources, separate them with commas, like this: butter, jam

Post your answer

If student answers do not cover the following major natural resources, add them to the discussion:

  • fresh or salt water
  • sunshine
  • soil and the minerals in it
  • vegetation, including forests and edible plants
  • animals, including insects, birds, fish, land animals
  • ores and gems, including gold, silver, and diamonds
  • fossil fuels, including oil and coal

 

Work with the class to define natural resource. It is a resource that exists without any human interaction. The term is often used to refer to resources in nature that humans can use for economic gain.


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The Complete List of Learning Experiences in Colonial America Unit.
Social Studies American History Colonial America American Colonists and the Environment
American Colonists and the Environment
Social Studies American History Colonial America Life in Colonial America
Life in Colonial America
Social Studies American History Colonial America The Establishment of Self-Government
The Establishment of Self-Government
Social Studies American History Colonial America The Slave Trade in Colonial America
The Slave Trade in Colonial America
Social Studies American History Colonial America The Search for Wealth
The Search for Wealth
Social Studies American History Colonial America The Struggle for Religious Freedom
The Struggle for Religious Freedom
Social Studies American History Colonial America Colonial America: Vocabulary
Colonial America: Vocabulary
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