About This The 13 Original Colonies Word Search
Step back into early American history with this Free Printable 13 Original Colonies Word Search Puzzle. Featuring 15 foundational colonial terms—including Jamestown, Plymouth, Charter, Merchant, and Militia—this worksheet enriches early American social studies units.
Formatted for standard 8.5×11" letter paper with an answer key included on Page 2, it's a proven resource for elementary and middle school history lessons.
15 Vocabulary Words Included
Here are the 15 words hidden inside this puzzle, along with their thematic definitions for classroom discussions:
JAMESTOWN
The first permanent English settlement in North America, founded in Virginia in 1607.
PLYMOUTH
The coastal settlement founded by the Pilgrims in Massachusetts in 1620 after sailing on the Mayflower.
PLANTATION
A large agricultural estate, especially in the Southern colonies, dedicated to farming cash crops like tobacco and rice.
CHARTER
A formal written document from a monarch granting an organization or colony rights and self-governing authority.
MERCHANT
A businessperson engaged in buying, shipping, and trading wholesale goods across transatlantic trade routes.
SETTLER
A person who migrates to a new area and establishes a home and community there.
MILITIA
A military force composed of ordinary citizens trained to fight in times of emergency.
COLONY
A territory under the political control of a distant country and occupied by settlers from that country.
HARBOR
A sheltered body of deep water where ships can anchor safely, crucial for trade in port cities like Boston.
MAYFLOWER
The famous English ship that transported 102 Pilgrim passengers from England to the New World in 1620.
GOVERNOR
The official appointed by the English crown or elected by colonists to administer a colonial government.
TRADE
The commercial exchange of commodities, manufactured products, and raw materials across the Atlantic Ocean.
FOUNDER
An individual who establishes an organization, institution, or new colony (e.g., William Penn for Pennsylvania).
ASSEMBLY
An elected representative lawmaking body in a colony, such as the Virginia House of Burgesses.
TREATY
A formally concluded and ratified agreement between sovereign states or colonial leaders and Native tribes.
3 Fun Ways to Use This Printable in the Classroom
Make the most of this worksheet with these creative lesson and activity ideas:
- Three Colonial Regions Chart: Have students sort the 13 colonies into New England, Middle, and Southern regions and compare their economies and climates.
- Mayflower Compact Rewrite: Read the Mayflower Compact and have students write their own classroom contract outlining rules for fair self-governance.
- Colonial Trade Map: Trace the Transatlantic Triangular Trade routes on a world map showing timber, sugar, tobacco, and manufactured goods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the 13 Original Colonies?
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
Does the PDF include an answer key?
Yes, Page 2 features the full highlighted solution grid.
What grades is this worksheet designed for?
It is directly calibrated for 3rd through 8th grade US history and social studies standards.