Virginia SOL 2.8

2.8 is a Standards of Learning history and social science standard. These are the skills expectations under it.

• 2.8.a

  identifying reasons for the settlement of the thirteen colonies

• 2.8.b

  explaining the relationships between the colonies and Great Britain

• 2.8.c

  identifying key components of the Declaration of Independence

01

What Students Need to Do

Students explain why people came to the colonies, including seeking land, work, trade, and religious freedom. They describe British control and identify the Declaration of Independence as a statement of rights, complaints, and separation.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

Students sort settlement reasons and support each choice with a fact. They explain how British laws and taxes caused conflict, then name the Declaration's purpose and main ideas.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may think all colonists came for the same reason or that Native peoples were not already living on the land. They may confuse the Declaration with the Constitution or think independence began as soon as it was signed.

04

How to Assess It

Give students three boxes labeled Settlement, Britain, and Declaration. Ask them to write or draw one accurate fact in each box and explain one connection.

1. 01

   Give pairs picture cards showing land, worship, trade, taxes, protests, and independence, then have them build and explain a three-part timeline.

2. 02

   Ask students to write: Why might a colonist want independence, and what complaint would you include in a letter to the king?

3. 03

   Play Colonial Cause and Effect Match, with students pairing cards such as British tax with colonial protest and religious limits with migration.

4. 04

   Compare classroom rules made with student input to rules imposed without discussion, then connect students' reactions to colonial complaints about British rule.

• CE.1

  The student will apply history and social science skills to explain the foundations of the American constitutional democracy by

• USI.6

  The student will apply history and social science skills to explain the American Revolution by

• 2.9

  The student will apply history and social science skills to understand key events in United States history including, but not limited to

• 3.9

  The student will apply history and social science skills to explain the basic structure of the United States government by