13 Colonies Card Sort

Note to the Teacher Instructions for Use

What are sort cards?

Sort cards are informational terms and facts printed on small cards that students sort into categories.

Why use sort cards?

Sort cards are useful for reviewing information students have already been exposed to. Sometimes sort cards can be used to activate prior knowledge or see how much students already know. I suggest using the 13 colonies sort cards AFTER students have learned the information.

How to use?

Set-up: Make enough sets of cards so that students can work in groups of 4 or 5. Prior to using, cut out all of the cards on all pages and mix them up. Pass out the sets to each group and have them sort them into the three regions. Each region will have the list of states, geography, economy, government, and culture for the region. Helpful hint: Write numbers on the back of each set, so that if the cards get mixed up you can easily determine which cards belong to which set.

What worked for me?

My students are very competitive. I usually put each set in an envelope and pass out the envelopes. Students cannot open the envelope until I say “Go!”. Then, they race against each other to put all the cards in the right category first.

13 Colonies Around the Room: Another Way to Use

Another way to use the cards is to label 3 corners in your classroom the 3 regions: New England Colonies, Mid-Atlantic Colonies, and Southern Colonies. Pass out fact cards to each student and have them go to corresponding corners. There they should discuss whether or not everyone is in the right place. Then have students read out their cards to the whole class to review each region.

I hope you enjoy using this activity in your classroom. I would love to hear how it worked for you! You can email

me at lynmatera@gmail.com

If you have any suggestions feel free to send me an email as well. I’d love to hear your ideas and input!

New England Colonies

Connecticut Massachusetts

New Hampshire Rhode Island

Geography: These colonies had flat land near the coast and hills and mountains inland. The soil was rocky,

therefore farming was difficult. The coldest of the three regions because they were the farthest north.

Economy: This region’s economy was largely fishing and logging. Because this region did not have good farmland, these colonies had to import food and use their natural

resources like cod, whales, and lumber to trade.

Government: Government leaders in these colonies were religious leaders and outlawed religions different

from their own.

Culture: Small towns and small family farms. The Puritans that settled here were very religious and had

little religious tolerance.

Middle (Mid-Atlantic)

Colonies

Delaware New Jersey New York

Pennsylvania

Geography: This region had rich, fertile soil and a mild climate. Mostly flat land with some wide valleys and

swift rivers.

Economy: Many colonists farmed wheat and other grains. Known as the “Bread Basket Colonies.” Factories

produced iron, paper, textiles, and cloth.

Government: Government here guaranteed religious tolerance and banned taxation without representation.

Culture: Colonists here came from many different European countries. Culture included a mix of different

traditions and religions.

Southern Colonies

Georgia Maryland

North Carolina South Carolina

Virginia

Geography: Warmest of the three regions. Good soil and flat land. Colonies here were agricultural.

Economy: Many plantations grew crops including sugar, rice, cotton, indigo, and tobacco. Crops were maintained

by slave labor.

Government: The land owners of this region held most of the political power.

Culture: Many wealthy land owners, slaves, and indentured servants. Diverse and unequal society.

New England Colonies

Connecticut Massachusetts

New Hampshire Rhode Island

Geography: These colonies had flat land near the coast and hills and mountains inland. The soil was rocky,

therefore farming was difficult. The coldest of the three regions because they were the farthest north.

Economy: This region’s economy was largely fishing and logging. Because this region did not have good farmland, these colonies had to import food and use their natural

resources like cod, whales, and lumber to trade.

Government: Government leaders in these colonies were religious leaders and outlawed religions different

from their own.

Culture: Small towns and small family farms. The Puritans that settled here were very religious and had

little religious tolerance.

Answ

er

Key

Middle (Mid-Atlantic)

Colonies

Delaware New Jersey New York

Pennsylvania

Geography: This region had rich, fertile soil and a mild climate. Mostly flat land with some wide valleys and

swift rivers.

Economy: Many colonists farmed wheat and other grains. Known as the “Bread Basket Colonies.” Factories

produced iron, paper, textiles, and cloth.

Government: Many places here guaranteed religious tolerance and banned taxation without representation

Culture: Colonists here came from many different European countries. Culture here included a mix of

different traditions and religions.

Answ

er

Key

Southern Colonies

Georgia Maryland

North Carolina South Carolina

Virginia

Geography: Warmest of the three regions. Good soil

and flat land. Colonies here were agricultural.

Economy: Many plantations grew crops including sugar, rice, cotton, indigo, and tobacco. Crops were maintained

by slave labor.

Government: The land owners of this region held most

of the political power.

Culture: Many wealthy land owners, slaves, and

indentured servants. Diverse and unequal society.

Answ

er

Key

Terms and Vocabulary Match-Up

“No taxation without representation”

A slogan colonists used to express their frustration of being taxed without having people in the

government that spoke for the colonists.

Religious Tolerance People cannot be persecuted, or

treated differently, because of their religion

Plantation Large plot of land used for farming. People who owned the land, as well

as the workers lived on the land.

Colony A territory under the political control of a country or state.

Agriculture Production of food and goods through farming and forestry

Terms and Vocabulary Match-Up

“No taxation without representation”

A slogan colonists used to express their frustration of being taxed without having people in the

government that spoke for the colonists.

Religious Tolerance People cannot be persecuted, or

treated differently, because of their religion

Plantation Large plot of land used for farming. People who owned the land, as well

as the workers lived on the land.

Colony A territory under the political control of a country or state.

Agriculture Production of food and goods through farming and forestry

Answer Key

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