Colony Cartographers

*Characterized by broad Tidewater coastal plains and plantation cash crops.

Common 7th Grade Map Misconceptions:

• Confusing DE & MD: Delaware (#8) is the small coastal strip east of Maryland (#9) wrapping around the Chesapeake Bay.

• New Jersey's placement: NJ (#6) is a peninsula bordered by the Hudson River and Atlantic, immediately south of NY.

Colony Cartographers • Teacher Answer Key & Scoring Guide Page 1 of 2

Teacher Answer Key • Part 2

Critical Thinking Exemplars & Exit Ticket Rubric

Formative Scoring

Critical Thinking Questions: Exemplars & Key Evidence

Criteria: Claim + Textual Evidence + Reasoning

Question 1 (Cause & Effect: New England Economy) 2 Points

Why did New England colonists rely on shipbuilding and ocean trade rather than large-scale farming?

Exemplar Student Response: "New England colonists could not farm on a large scale because the glaciers left thin, rocky soil and the winters were bitterly cold with a short growing season. Instead, because they had deep natural harbors and dense forests full of timber, they turned to shipbuilding, fishing, and ocean trade to make a living."

Key Evidence Required: Mentions thin/rocky soil OR short seasons AND natural harbors/timber/fishing.

Question 2 (Comparative Analysis: Middle Colonies) 2 Points

Why were the Middle Colonies nicknamed the "Breadbasket"? How did their river network give merchants an advantage?

Exemplar Student Response: "They were called the 'Breadbasket' because their rich, fertile soil and temperate climate allowed farmers to produce massive surpluses of grains like wheat, rye, and barley. Wide navigable rivers like the Hudson and Delaware allowed merchants to float crops directly from inland farms down to major port cities like New York and Philadelphia."

Key Evidence Required: Mentions grain/wheat surplus AND river transportation into ports.

Question 3 (Synthesis / Extension: Cash Crops) 2 Points

Which region should an immigrant family choose to start a large cash-crop plantation, and why?

Exemplar Student Response: "They should choose the Southern Colonies (such as Virginia or the Carolinas). First, the South has a warm, humid climate with the longest growing season, which is necessary for cash crops like tobacco and rice. Second, the broad, flat Tidewater coastal plains and slow-moving rivers allowed ships to dock right at private plantations for export."

Key Evidence Required: Identifies Southern region AND cites two geographic factors (growing season, climate, flat coastal plain/Tidewater, or rivers).

Formative Key

Daily Exit Ticket: "The Six Colony Quick-Check" Key

Total: 6 Points (1 pt per valid colony & placement)

Mini-Map Letter Key:

• Dot A (New England): Massachusetts or NH
• Dot B (New England): Connecticut or RI
• Dot C (Middle): New York or PA
• Dot D (Middle): New Jersey or Delaware
• Dot E (Southern): Virginia or Maryland
• Dot F (Southern): Carolinas or Georgia

Acceptable Student Submissions:

Award 0.5 pt for accurate colony name within region + 0.5 pt for correct matching map letter (total 1 pt each row = 6 pts max).

Verbal Closing Prompt (1 min): "Class, who can name one colony from the Middle region and point out its geographic clue?"

Colonial America Cartography • Grade 7 Social Studies Answer Key Page 2 of 2