From 1607 to 1775 many British subjects emigrated to America. Their original settlements developed into the 13 colonies which later became the United States.

What was life like during colonial times? Who were the early colonists and how did they survive in this new land?

This pathfinder will help you find information in books, magazines, computer programs, videos, in the community, and on the Internet about Colonial America.

Books Magazines	Internet Sites	Videos CD-ROM	Dewey Numbers	Keyword Phrases	People Places	State EALR's

 

There are many great books for kids about Colonial America. A few of the books are listed below. To locate more books, use the suggested keywords and phrases to search the online library catalog.

 NONFICTION

 

641.5 Per Perl, Lila.Slumps, Grunts, And Snickerdoodles: What Colonial America Ate And Why

Examines the diets and culinary innovations of the American colonists.

 

745.5 Cor Corwin, Judith Hoffman. Colonial American Crafts: The Home

Also look for these books by the same author: 745.5 Cor Colonial American Crafts: The School; 745.5 Cor Colonial American Crafts: The Village

 

970.004 Hak Hakim, Joy. The First Americans

Tells about the Native Americans, and the first permanent settlements of the European explorers. Discusses the thirteen original American colonies, and explores many aspects of daily life.

 

973.2 Hak Hakim, Joy. Making Thirteen Colonies

Presents the history of the United States from the colonization of the New World through the middle of the eighteenth century.

973.2 Car Carter, Alden R. The Colonial Wars: Clashes In the Wilderness

Chronicles the history of the Colonial Wars, also called the French and Indian Wars, which gave the British control of North America.

 

973.2 Rei Reische, Diana L. Founding the American Colonies

Describes the founding, problems, and social and economic survival of the original thirteen American colonies

 

973.2 She Sherrow, Victoria. Huskings, Quiltings, And Barn Raisings: Work-play Parties In Early America

Surveys the history of husking bees, barn raisings, soap boilings, and other American work-play parties

 

973.2 Tun Tunis, Edwin. Colonial Living

Recreates life in colonial America during the 17th and 18th centuries, describing the customs, industries, products, etc. of the different colonies.

 

974.4 Kni Knight, James E. Blue Feather's Vision: The Dawn Of Colonial America

An aged Indian chief fears that white strangers who have visited his village will return to destroy the Indian way of life.

 

974.4 Kre Witch Hunt : It Happened In Salem Village

An account of the madness that overtook Salem Village, Massachusetts,when several young girls accused a number of adults in the community of being witches.

 

974.4 Sew Sewall, Marcia. The Pilgrims Of Plimoth

Chronicles, in text and illustrations, the day-to-day life of the early Pilgrims in the Plimoth Colony

 

974.4 Wat Waters, Kate. Sarah Morton's Day: A Day In the Life Of a Pilgrim Girl

A typical day of a pilgrim girl on Plimouth Plantation in which she milks the goats, cooks and serves meals, and adjusts to her new stepfather.

 

Look for this series of books published by Childrens Press that present the history, economy, culture, and people of each of the thirteen colonies:

974.402 FRA Fradin, Dennis B. The Massachusetts Colony

975.502 FRA Fradin, Dennis B. The Virginia Colony

974.202 FRA Fradin, Dennis B. The New Hampshire Colony

974.702 FRA Fradin, Dennis B. The New York Colony

974.8 FRA Fradin, Dennis B. The Pennsylvania Colony

974.502 FRA Fradin, Dennis B. The Rhode Island Colony

975.802 FRA Fradin, Dennis B. The Georgia Colony

974.6 FRA Fradin, Dennis B. The Connecticut Colony

975.2 FRA Fradin, Dennis B. The Maryland Colony

974.9 FRA Fradin, Dennis B. The New Jersey Colony

975.6 FRA Fradin, Dennis B. The North Carolina Colony

975.7 FRA Fradin, Dennis B. The South Carolina Colony

975.1 FRA Fradin, Dennis B. The Delaware Colony

 

FICTION

 

FIC Bul Bulla, Clyde Robert. Charlie's House

A poor, friendless English boy, shipped to America as an indentured servant in the early eighteenth century, runs away from a cruel master and dreams of building a house of his own.

 

FIC O'D O'Dell, Scott. The Serpent Never Sleeps: A Novel Of Jamestown And Pocahontas

In the early seventeenth century, Serena Lynn, to be with the man she has loved since childhood, travels to the New World and comes to know the hardships of colonial life and the Princess Pocahontas.

The Web sites listed on this page have been previewed and selected for this topic. If additional information is needed, use the suggested keywords and phrases to search the Internet.

PEOPLE AND DAILY LIFE 

 

Colonial Life at Colonial Williamsburg

Find out about clothing, family, occupations and more at this site.

 

Franklin Institute Activities Online

How did they communicate in colonial days? Select "Of Pen and Paper" to find out!

 

America's Story from America's Library!

Jump back in time to Colonial times to learn about the pilgrims who settled in America.This Web site from the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., was designed especially for kids.

 

Liberty Perspectives: Daily Life in the Colonies

How much did a horse cost in colonial times? This interactive site uses a picture of a colonial farm to inform you about daily life in the colonies.

 

A Colonial Family and Community

This interactive site invites you to be a "history detective" as you learn about the life of a colonial family in Connecticut.

 

Pilgrim Hall Museum

The story behind the pilgrims is told through Pilgrim possessions and Native American artifacts at this site. Also visit their page about people on the Mayflower at Beyond the Pilgrim Story.

  

Mayflower Web Pages: History and Genealogy

Visit this site to find out what life was like on the Mayflower. Includes descriptions of girls and women on the ship and clothing of pilgrims.

 

Benjamin Franklin: Glimpses of the Man

Provides information about this extraordinary man and his contributions our early history.

 

Thomas Jefferson - Monticello, Home of Thomas Jefferson

Take a virtual tour of President Jefferson's home.

NATIVE AMERICANS

 

Wampanoag Indians - Boston Children's Museum

This site presents accurate and respectful information about Wampanoag heritage and culture.

 

Wampanoag Indians

Learn about this Native American tribe from pre-colonial times to the present.

 

COLONIAL PLACES

13 Colonies

Includes brief history of the each of the original 13 colonies with links to additional information for each colony. Also has links to maps.

 

Plimouth Massachusetts

Take a virtual tour of the early settlement of Plimouth.

 

Salem Witch Trials in Salem, Massachusetts

Find out about the settlement of Salem, Massachusetts at the Salem Witch Museum

 

Colonial Williamsburg Historical Almanack Online

Meet the people, see the places, learn about life in Colonial Williamsburg.

 

Virtual Jamestown

Jamestown colony, founded in 1607, will celebrate its 400 year anniversary in 2007. This website is a digital research-teaching-learning project to explore the legacies of the Jamestown settlement and "the Virginia experiment."

 

Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center

If you're looking for information about Jamestown and early America , this is the site to visit! Teachers can download some incredible resources for classroom use.

 

Jamestown Fort: Rediscovered

Explore the history behind the first permanent English settlement in the New World, including the reasons for the settlement's location, the obstacles the explorers encountered, and the very people that overcame these challenges.

 

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DOCUMENTS AND MAPS  

Colonial Maps

A source for many early maps of the colonies.

EVENTS

Early Thanksgiving

Find recipes and a story about the corn husk doll at this site.

 

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TEACHER SITES

Carol Hurst's Children's Literature

Teachers will find a wealth of ideas for teaching about Colonial America with children's literature at this site. Carol Hurst, an expert in children's literature, lists possible discussions, activities and works of literary merit.

Our library has the following multimedia resources on your topic:

Laserdisc 973.2 Thr Three Worlds Meet, Origins-1620; Volumes 1 and 2 [Laserdisc] The Era of Colonization (1585-1763). Schlessinger Video Productions, c1998. 1 videodisc (60 min.) :Volume 1 covers the discovery and early settlement of America. Volume 2 covers the Colonial period.

Video 973.2 AS As It Was In Colonial America [videorecording].

Issues and events leading to America's independence

Return to Top

If you want to browse the shelves in the library to locate information about Colonial America, look for these numbers:  

• 641.5 - Cookery, American
• 973.2 - United States history, Colonial period 1607 - 1775
• 974 - Northeastern United States
• 921 - Biography

Do you need additional information? Try using these words and phrases to search the library online catalog, the NCRL Online Catalog, CD-ROM or print encyclopedias or the World Wide Web:

Thirteen colonies Colonial America Colonial life Early America Colonists

Names of specific colonists, such as Ben Franklin Names of settlements or colonies, such as Virginia Pilgrims Early settlers

The following community contacts may help you with your topic:  

NCRL - Wenatchee Public Library's Online Catalog

History

2. The student applies the methods of social science investigation to investigate, compare and contrast interpretations of historical events

To meet this standard, the student will:
2.1 investigate and research  

Benchmark 1

• ask questions to identify a problem from the past
• locate, gather, and process information from a variety of primary and secondary sources, including photographs, drawings, artifacts, oral accounts, and documents

2.2 analyze historical information

Benchmark 1

• organize and record information
• compare and contrast information from different historical sources

2.3 synthesize information and reflect on findings

Benchmark 1

• express findings; explain why interpretations of the same historical event can differ
• examine earlier steps in the investigative process and propose improvements to the process used