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Contributor: Danielle Childers. Lesson ID: 10527
Step into the shoes of a time-traveling detective and uncover the secrets of Colonial America! Learn how everyday belongings tell the stories of lives from long ago and compare them to your own.
Imagine you’re an investigator with a special time-traveling mission! Start by looking around your house—every room, every drawer. Write down as many items as you can in three minutes.
Now imagine someone in the future finds a list of everything in your home.
In this lesson, you’ll be the investigator, uncovering clues about Colonial America by studying the personal belongings of two men from that time.
What’s in your home can tell a lot about you—your hobbies, family size, and even where you live!
For instance, most homes today have microwaves, showing how much we value quick, convenient meals.
In Colonial America, what people owned was very different. They didn’t have microwaves, but their belongings tell stories about their lives, jobs, and families.
Historians use tools like probate inventories—detailed lists of everything a person owned after their death—to learn about the past.
Before diving into two accurate inventories, watch the video below. It will give you a glimpse into life during Colonial America.
Once you’ve watched, print the Graphic Organizer - Double Bubble Map from the Downloadable Resources in the right-hand sidebar.
Compare “Life in Colonial America” and “Life Today.” Write similarities in the middle circles and differences on the sides.
When your bubbles are full, continue to the Got It? section to categorize colonial items in preparation for learning about the owners!
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