Oklahoma Social Studies 5.C.2.1.D

Social Studies5th GradeContent Standards

The Standard

5.C.2: Compare the developments of the New England Colonies, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern Colonies.
5.C.2.1: Explain how settlements in other colonies were influenced by a desire for religious freedom, economic opportunity, and self-government, including

Thomas Hooker’s influence in formulating the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies (2026) · 5.C.2.1

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Explain how Thomas Hooker's ideas about the people's consent influenced Connecticut's written plan of government. Point to its rules for electing leaders as evidence. Recognize that not everyone could vote.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can connect Hooker's ideas to a rule for choosing leaders in Connecticut. They can explain that he influenced the plan but did not write it alone. They can name a group, such as women, that could not vote.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think Hooker wrote the plan by himself or that everyone in Connecticut could vote. They may confuse it with the U.S. Constitution, which came much later.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Hooker said leaders need the people's consent. Name one rule in Connecticut's plan that shows this idea, and name one group that could not vote.

Lesson moves

Give pairs cards reading 'Leaders need people's consent' and 'Freemen elect a governor'; have students join them with string and label the link.
Ask, 'Did elections mean everyone had a say in colonial Connecticut?' Have students use the voting rule to support their answer.
Play true-or-false with three cards: 'Hooker wrote the plan alone,' 'Freemen chose leaders,' and 'Every resident could vote.' Students correct false cards.
Show a student council ballot; students name one similarity to colonial elections and one difference in who could vote.

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A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 5.C.2.1.D, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

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