Oklahoma Social Studies 5.C.1.8.B

Social Studies5th GradeContent Standards

The Standard

5.C.1: Examine and compare the Jamestown and Plymouth settlements as the foundations of American culture and society.
5.C.1.8: Explain the early successes and challenges for Pilgrims of the Plymouth settlement including the

practice of self-government established by the Mayflower Compact

Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies (2026) · 5.C.1.8

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students explain why the Mayflower passengers agreed to form a government and follow shared laws. They identify who signed the agreement and who was left out.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can explain that the signers agreed to make laws for the colony and obey them. They can name adult men as the signers and explain that women, children, and Indigenous people had no say in the agreement.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think the compact was a list of laws or a declaration of independence. Some assume everyone in the area helped make the agreement.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Why did the signers agree to make laws together? Name one group that did not sign.

Lesson moves

Give groups index cards to write two rules for a shared supply bin, sign an agreement, and try following their rules.
Ask partners, "Why might settlers agree to obey rules they helped make, and who was left out of that choice?"
Sort cards reading "make laws together," "no stealing," and "women and children" into agreement, specific law, and excluded signer piles.
Read the school's playground rules; ask who made them and how that differs from the signers' plan to make laws for their colony.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 5.C.1.8.B, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Keep exploring

Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.