Virginia SOL VS.3.b

Social Studies4th Grade1607 through the American Revolution

The Standard

describing the economic and geographic influences on the decision to settle at Jamestown

Virginia Standards of Learning for History and Social Science

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students explain why the Virginia Company wanted a settlement that could earn money through resources and trade. They also identify site features such as deep water, river access, and protection from attack.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students connect the hope for profit to the choice to establish Jamestown. They use map evidence to explain why the site seemed useful, even though its water and marshy land later caused problems.
Common Misconceptions: Students may confuse Jamestown with settlements founded for religious freedom or assume settlers found gold there. They may also think the site had clean water because settlers first believed it would.
How to Assess It: Give students a simple James River map and ask: Name one economic reason and two geographic reasons the Virginia Company chose Jamestown.

Lesson moves

Use a Virginia coastline map, ship token, and colored pencils to mark deep water, inland position, defense, and river access.
Write a short recommendation explaining whether Jamestown looked like a good site to an English investor in 1607.
Run a card-sort race placing reasons under profit, transportation, defense, or mistaken belief.
Compare Jamestown’s site choice with a store owner choosing a location for profit, delivery access, water, and safety.

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