Colonial Economic Systems: Trade and Mercantilism for Grade 5
A short reading packet for 5th graders that introduces colonial trade, mercantilism, and cottage industries through the story of the Miller family in 1740s Massachusetts. Students build vocabulary with a key-terms section and practice explaining economic patterns, with the narrative grounding abstract ideas in everyday life.
“Students will explain economic patterns including trade, mercantilism, and cottage industries.”
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Use as a 30-45 minute reading block before or during a unit on colonial America, reading the Miller family story aloud or in pairs before discussing the key terms.
- Discussion question: How did the Millers get the things they needed without using money, and why might that matter for a village? Follow up by asking how mercantilism would change the way the Millers traded.
- Scaffold for struggling readers: Pre-teach "cottage industry" and "mercantilism" with a simple visual, and have students underline one example of trade in each paragraph.
- Extension for advanced students: Have them compare a cottage industry to a factory and explain how the mother country's control under mercantilism would affect the colony's choices.
- Estimated time: about 30 to 45 minutes including discussion.
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Try Diffit for free“Students will explain economic patterns including trade, mercantilism, and cottage industries.”
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Use as a 30-45 minute reading block before or during a unit on colonial America, reading the Miller family story aloud or in pairs before discussing the key terms.
- Discussion question: How did the Millers get the things they needed without using money, and why might that matter for a village? Follow up by asking how mercantilism would change the way the Millers traded.
- Scaffold for struggling readers: Pre-teach "cottage industry" and "mercantilism" with a simple visual, and have students underline one example of trade in each paragraph.
- Extension for advanced students: Have them compare a cottage industry to a factory and explain how the mother country's control under mercantilism would affect the colony's choices.
- Estimated time: about 30 to 45 minutes including discussion.
Colonial Economic Systems: Trade and Mercantilism for Grade 5
A short reading packet for 5th graders that introduces colonial trade, mercantilism, and cottage industries through the story of the Miller family in 1740s Massachusetts. Students build vocabulary with a key-terms section and practice explaining economic patterns, with the narrative grounding abstract ideas in everyday life.
What is Diffit?
Teachers use Diffit to get quality materials for their unique classrooms. Adjust difficulty, add scaffolds, or change the topic to get started.
Try Diffit for free