This lesson explores the lives of indentured servants in Colonial America, focusing on their reasons for becoming indentured, the conditions they faced, and their hopes for freedom and land. Students will learn about the historical context and personal experiences through video analysis, primary source examination, and writing PEEKA paragraphs. The lesson concludes with a discussion on the broader implications of indentured servitude on American society and the transition to slavery.
Lesson Content and Activities:
Introduction:
Discuss the historical context of indentured servitude in Colonial America and its significance.
Introduce today’s keywords: Indentured Servitude, Contract, Freedom Dues, Master, Servitude.
Video Task:
Watch a video on indentured servitude.
List five adjectives that best describe the conditions they worked in and had to endure.
Primary Source Analysis:
Examine sources such as contracts, diary entries, and government reports to understand the lives of indentured servants.
Discuss the reliability of each source and whether they suggest conditions were poor or acceptable.
Guided Reading Activity:
Complete the guided reading activity.
Subtitle each paragraph, write down three key facts, and look up any unknown words.
The First Colonial Rebellion:
Learn about Bacon’s Rebellion, its causes, and its impact on colonial policies.
Discuss the role of indentured servants in the rebellion and how it influenced the shift towards slavery.
Categorisation Task:
In pairs, look through different sources about life as an indentured servant.
Discuss which sources show poor conditions and which suggest there was no need to mutiny.
Justify the reliability of each source.
Writing Task:
Write a PEEKA paragraph explaining whether becoming an indentured servant led to a better life.
Use the PEEKA planning sheet for guidance.
Class Discussion:
Share and discuss the PEEKA paragraphs.
Reflect on the broader implications of indentured servitude on American society and its transition to slavery.
Recap Quiz:
Why did many Europeans become indentured servants in Colonial America?
What were the main benefits indentured servants hoped to receive after completing their contracts?
What were the working conditions like for indentured servants?
What role did indentured servants play in Bacon’s Rebellion?
What were the long-term impacts of indentured servitude on American society?
Resources:
Video link on indentured servitude
Primary source documents
Guided reading text
PEEKA paragraph guidelines and planning sheet
Recap quiz questions
Get this resource as part of a bundle and save up to 86%
A bundle is a package of resources grouped together to teach a particular topic, or a series of lessons, in one place.
Bundle
American West
11 lessons focusing on events during the USA's westwards expansion 1. The Constitution of the USA 2. American Power Assembly 3. Lewis and Clark 4. Indentured Servitude 5. Transcontinental Railroad 6. Battle of Little Bighorn 7. Red Cloud 8. Chinese Migration 9. Irish Migration 10. Italian Migration 11. The Great Northern Migration Each lesson comes with a range of differentiated resources to cover all types of classes and keep students engaged and motivated. All resources needed are included at the end of the ppts ready for printing if necessary. Designed to be self-contained, off the shelf and ready to teach.
£5.00
Bundle
Colonial America - 20 lessons
From a series of over 30 lessons made by Wolsey Academy on the history of Colonial America. They provide a thorough foundation of knowledge in this vital period of world history and provide an excellent foundation for all future study. Each lesson looks to focus on a range of historical skills and exam techniques to equip students with knowledge and transferable research, analysis and study skills. To find the complete bundle search on the Wolsey Academy website. Wolsey Academy operates as a non-profit, with every penny we make going to one of our charity partners or into the Ipswich Initiative, funding good works across the town and county. Search for Wolsey Academy to see our website for more details and to purchase resources at a discount. Use code ‘WOLSEY’ for 10% off at the Wolsey Academy Web Store Please help us, help you, help them. Thank you. Hope it helps. W
£17.76
Something went wrong, please try again later.
This resource hasn't been reviewed yet
To ensure quality for our reviews, only customers who have purchased this resource can review it
to let us know if it violates our terms and conditions.
Our customer service team will review your report and will be in touch.
£3.50