Lesson Plan Title : Why Did the Pilgrims Come?

Age Range: Grade 9 through grade 12 (High School)

Overview and Purpose: In this lesson, students will consider the reasons the Pilgrims came to America. We are often taught that they came for religious freedom and to have a better life, but what are the details? Students can present their findings as a Power Point presentation.

Objective: The student will be able to create a Power Point presentation showing the details behind why the Pilgrims chose to come to America.

Resources:

Internet access for all the students

Activities:

Students are often told that the Pilgrims came to America to have religious freedom and a better life. But, there is rarely any more information given than that. Have students research why these men and women were willing to travel so far and to an unknown land, leaving all that they knew behind. They should put their findings together as a Power Point presentation that they can share with the class.

Wrap Up:

The Mayflower included other people who came to America for reasons beyond religious freedom. Encourage some of your students to study them.