Renaissance, Exploration & ReformationLentWeek 23 of 32

Colonial America

Essential Question

Who came to the New World, why, and what kinds of societies did they plant?

This week the student studies who settled the New World and why: Jamestown (1607) and the Virginia tobacco economy, Plymouth and the Pilgrims (1620), the three colonial regions, Maryland as a Catholic refuge under Lord Baltimore, and the Catholic colonies of New France and New Spain. The week honestly and age-appropriately introduces the painful beginning of African slavery in the colonies. The research project continues into outlining and drafting.

Liturgical note: Lent (March) continues — the season of penance, prayer, and almsgiving. The week's saint, St. Isaac Jogues and the North American Martyrs, models the Lenten themes of sacrifice and offering one's life in love.

Threads at a Glance

What Each Thread Covers This Week

World History

The European powers compete for empire; mercantilism and the Atlantic world

US History

The Civil War: From Bull Run to Appomattox

Historical Figure

William Penn (and, in content, Lord Baltimore and Catholic Maryland)

Geography

The 13 colonies; draw the eastern seaboard, the three colonial regions, and label all thirteen colonies

Art History

Colonial American art — the limner portraitists and folk art; Puritan plainness vs. the Spanish mission baroque

Music History

Music in the colonies — psalm singing and the Bay Psalm Book; an intro to the European Baroque flourishing back home

Saint

St. Isaac Jogues and the North American Martyrs (missionaries of New France)

Virtue

Industriousness (the colonial work ethic)

Catechism

YOUCAT — Part Four intro: Prayer — what it is and its sources in Scripture

Grammar

Sentence health — fixing run-ons, comma splices, and fragments

Writing

Research project (Part 2) — outlining and drafting

Weekly Writing Assignment

Research Project (Part 2 of 3): Outline and First Draft

Continue the research project launched in Week 22. THIS WEEK: (1) sort your notes into 3-5 main points that together answer your research question; (2) build a formal outline (introduction with thesis, body sections, conclusion); (3) write a complete first draft, weaving in evidence from your sources with in-text citations. Do not worry yet about perfect polish — get a full draft on paper.

Skill: Organizing research into a logical outline and writing a first draft that answers the research question with cited evidence.Length: A full outline plus a complete first draft of roughly 900-1200 words (final paper due Week 24).

Show rubric ▾

Outline has a clear thesis and 3-5 logically ordered main points
Draft has an introduction, developed body paragraphs, and a conclusion
Evidence from at least four sources is woven in with in-text citations
The draft genuinely answers the research question
No run-ons, comma splices, or fragments left uncorrected from the grammar lesson

The Week