In this Grade 8 lesson from America: History of Our Nation, students explore colonial society between 1650 and 1750, examining how most colonists lived on farms within extended families and relied on self-sufficiency for survival. Students learn the clearly defined roles of men, women, and children in colonial households, as well as the class distinctions that shaped colonial life, including the gentry, middle class, indentured servants, and apprentices. The lesson draws from Chapter 4 to help students understand how a shared colonial culture developed despite regional and social differences.
Section 1
Families Work Together to Sustain Colonial Farms
Colonial families lived in extended households where each member performed essential tasks. Large families were advantageous on farms, as many hands were needed to plant crops, tend animals, and maintain the property.
Section 2
Men and Women Fulfill Different Colonial Responsibilities
Men controlled family property and represented families in public life. Women managed domestic duties including cooking, childcare, and making clothing. On the frontier, these gender roles sometimes blurred as survival required flexibility.
Section 3
Children Transition from Play to Work at Young Ages
Colonial children enjoyed games like marbles and jump rope until age seven, when they began working. Boys assisted in fields or became apprentices, while girls learned household management to prepare for their future roles.
Section 4
Social Classes Shape Colonial Opportunities
Colonial society included wealthy gentry who held power, a growing middle class of farmers and artisans, indentured servants working for passage, and free African Americans who faced restrictions despite property rights.
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Section 1
Families Work Together to Sustain Colonial Farms
Colonial families lived in extended households where each member performed essential tasks. Large families were advantageous on farms, as many hands were needed to plant crops, tend animals, and maintain the property.
Section 2
Men and Women Fulfill Different Colonial Responsibilities
Men controlled family property and represented families in public life. Women managed domestic duties including cooking, childcare, and making clothing. On the frontier, these gender roles sometimes blurred as survival required flexibility.
Section 3
Children Transition from Play to Work at Young Ages
Colonial children enjoyed games like marbles and jump rope until age seven, when they began working. Boys assisted in fields or became apprentices, while girls learned household management to prepare for their future roles.
Section 4
Social Classes Shape Colonial Opportunities
Colonial society included wealthy gentry who held power, a growing middle class of farmers and artisans, indentured servants working for passage, and free African Americans who faced restrictions despite property rights.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter