📖

Jamestown: The First Permanent English Settlement

Colonial America Begins

Day 26of 180
Week 6of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand the challenges of early colonial settlements

2

Learn about the importance of cooperation and perseverance

3

Recognize God's guidance in difficult times

📖 Scripture Connection

Joshua 1:9

“Haven't I commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; don't be afraid, neither be dismayed: for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”

— Joshua 1:9 (WEB)

Just as God encouraged Joshua, He gave courage to the Jamestown settlers during their challenging journey

📦 Materials Needed

  • Map of Virginia
  • Picture of Jamestown
  • Coloring sheets
  • Crayons
  • Small sticks or craft materials
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Begin by showing a map of Virginia and pointing to Jamestown. Ask children what they know about the first settlers.

💭 Review Question: What do you think it was like to travel on a big ship to a new land?
2Teaching (10 min)

Tell the story of the Jamestown settlers, focusing on their challenges and how John Smith helped the colony survive.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Settlers arrived in 1607
  • They faced hunger and difficult conditions
  • John Smith helped organize the colony
  • Many settlers struggled to survive
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How do you think the settlers felt when they first arrived?
  • What would be hard about living in a new place with no houses?
  • How might God have helped the settlers?
3Activity: Build a Jamestown Settlement (7 min)
hands-on

Children will create a small model of a Jamestown settlement using craft materials

📝 Instructions:
  1. Give each child a piece of paper
  2. Provide sticks, paper, and coloring materials
  3. Help children create small shelter and fort models
  4. Discuss what they're building
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Pre-cut materials for younger children

Challenge: Add more detailed historical elements to model

4Closing (3 min)

Review the day's learning about Jamestown

📝 Review Questions:
  • Where did the first settlers live?
  • What was hard about their new home?
  • How did they work together?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for giving people courage when things are difficult. Help us to be brave like the Jamestown settlers.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn why different people came to America

💎 Memory Verse

Joshua 1:9

“Be strong and of good courage; don't be afraid, neither be dismayed: for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”

— Joshua 1:9 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Hand motions: Strong arm pose for 'be strong', courage pose for 'courage'

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

The Jamestown settlement was the first permanent English settlement in North America, established in 1607 in Virginia.

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use simple language
  • Focus on survival and teamwork
  • Emphasize God's protection
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find it hard to understand historical context

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Child's ability to empathize with settlers' challenges

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Draw a picture of what you think Jamestown looked like
  • Read a children's book about early settlers
  • Talk about family immigration stories

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 27 →Back to History & Social Studies