JAMESTOWN

JAMESTOWN HISTORY LESSON

Directions:

Print the Jamestown reading comprehension passage and questions (see below).

Students should read the story silently, then answer the questions about the story that follow.

Excerpt from passage

Many people explored America before the United States was formed. The area that would become known as Jamestown was colonized by English settlers. This occurred in 1607. King James I of England allowed a group of business people to go to America and settle the new land. They chose Virginia because they were part of the Virginia Company. Plans to go over to this new world began in 1606. By the end of that year, they were ready to go.

Two hundred and fourteen people would set sail on this American voyage. The voyage was quite long. They finally arrived in Virginia on May 14, 1607. It did not take long for the new English settlers to find trouble. Almost as soon as the settlers were on land, they were attacked by the Algonquins. The Algonquins were a group of Native Americans who were living in the area. They were not very friendly when it came to new settlers. However, the English settlers managed to ward off the attack.

Captain John Smith was in charge of the group of settlers. Together, they built a fort and other buildings necessary to colonial settlers. Soon after their colony was more established they even found Native Americans who would trade with them. One of them was a man named Powhatan.

In 1607, three ships arrived in America with 104 men and boys. The Godspeed, the Discovery, and the Susan Constant were the name of these English ships. On this second voyage, a new leader, Captain Christopher Newport, arrived in Virginia.

Continued...

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