Building the Thirteen Colonies Discussion Prompts and Pause Points

Read the movie description that appears below the movie player on the Building the Thirteen Colonies Topic Page. Then use the following prompts to encourage class discussion before, during, and after watching the movie.

Before the Movie

What do you know about the first thirteen colonies?

What do you hope to learn about the thirteen colonies?

During the Movie (Pause Points)

Stop at the following times in the movie and ask questions or prompt a discussion to keep students focused and to assess their understanding before moving on:

Timecode 2:19: How did mercantilism work?  

Timecode 2:49: How do you think the native peoples felt about England colonizing America’s east coast?

Timecode 3:01: What was a charter?

Timecode 4:10: What were the three parts of the triangular trade?

Timecode 6:45:  Why did the King James II get rid of many of the charters? How did the colonists react?

Timecode 7:01: How did salutary neglect affect the colonies? How did it affect England?

After the Movie

What is something new you learned about the colonies?

What questions do you still have about the thirteen colonies?

*BrainPOP’s Discussion Questions and Prompts align to CCSS Speaking and Listening Standards.