Oklahoma Social Studies 5.C.1.7
The Standard
- 5.C.1
- Examine and compare the Jamestown and Plymouth settlements as the foundations of American culture and society.
Describe the importance of freedom from religious persecution that motivated immigration by Pilgrims (separatists) to Plymouth Colony as opposed to economic reasons that motivated other colonists.
Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies (2026) · 5.C.1
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students explain why the Pilgrims sought a place to practice their faith without punishment. They compare that reason with settlers who came mainly for land or trade.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can name religious pressure in England as a reason the Pilgrims settled at Plymouth. Given two short accounts, they can identify a religious motive and an economic motive, citing a clue from each.
Common Misconceptions
- Some students think the Pilgrims came to make every religion welcome, rather than to practice their own faith. Others think all colonists came for the same reason, or that the Pilgrims came mainly to get rich.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: One group is punished for worshipping outside the official church; another moves to buy farmland. Which group's motive matches the Pilgrims at Plymouth, and what clue tells you?
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs four paper cards labeled fines for worship, freedom to worship, farmland, and trade profits; have them sort by reason for moving.
Ask students to write two sentences answering, 'Why did the Pilgrims settle at Plymouth, and how was their reason different from a trader's?'
Play motive match: read four scenario slips about worship penalties, farmland, trade profits, and church rules; students hold up R or E and explain.
Show two made-up moving notices, one about finding safe worship and one about taking a new job; ask which resembles the Pilgrims' motive.
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