Why the Colonies Were Founded is a free printable Grade 3 to Grade 5 social studies worksheet on when, where and why the thirteen colonies were founded, aligned to C3 Framework indicator D2.His.14.3-5. It prints 2 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.
Set 1 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
Draw a line from each colony to the reason it was founded.
1.Draw a line from each one to its match.
Maryland, 1634
Delaware, 1638
Connecticut, 1636
New York, 1664
A.Swedish settlers built Fort Christina, the first lasting European settlement there
B.Lord Baltimore planned it partly as a safe place for English Catholics
C.England seized the Dutch colony of New Netherland and renamed it
D.Thomas Hooker led settlers to the rich farmland of the Connecticut River valley
2.Draw a line from each one to its match.
Rhode Island, 1636
Carolina, 1663
Jamestown, Virginia, 1607
Georgia, 1733
A.A buffer against Spanish Florida and a fresh start for poor English settlers
B.Founded by the Virginia Company of London to make a profit
C.King Charles II granted the land to eight English supporters who hoped to profit
D.Roger Williams founded Providence after he was banished from Massachusetts
LessonPrint · D2.His.14.3-5 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Why the Colonies Were Founded
Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. Maryland, 1634 — B (Lord Baltimore planned it partly as a safe place for English Catholics) 2. Delaware, 1638 — A (Swedish settlers built Fort Christina, the first lasting European settlement there) 3. Connecticut, 1636 — D (Thomas Hooker led settlers to the rich farmland of the Connecticut River valley) 4. New York, 1664 — C (England seized the Dutch colony of New Netherland and renamed it)
2.1. Rhode Island, 1636 — D (Roger Williams founded Providence after he was banished from Massachusetts) 2. Carolina, 1663 — C (King Charles II granted the land to eight English supporters who hoped to profit) 3. Jamestown, Virginia, 1607 — B (Founded by the Virginia Company of London to make a profit) 4. Georgia, 1733 — A (A buffer against Spanish Florida and a fresh start for poor English settlers)
Questions about Why the Colonies Were Founded
What does the Why the Colonies Were Founded worksheet cover?
It practices when, where and why the thirteen colonies were founded — 2 questions for Grade 3 to Grade 5, all on C3 Framework D2.His.14.3-5: Explain the likely causes and effects of an event. The instruction to students is “Draw a line from each colony to the reason it was founded”, and the answer key follows on the next sheet.
Which C3 Framework indicator does Why the Colonies Were Founded practice?
D2.His.14.3-5, under History for Grade 3 to Grade 5. The published indicator reads: “Explain probable causes and effects of events and developments.” The worksheet assesses that indicator rather than a paraphrase of it.
What age or grade is this worksheet for?
Why the Colonies Were Founded is written for Grade 3 to Grade 5, typically ages 40-41. It is one of the sheets on D2.His.14.3-5, so it suits any student working at that standard — including older students revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.
Does Why the Colonies Were Founded come with an answer key?
Yes. All 2 answers are generated from the same problems as the questions, so the key cannot drift out of step with the sheet. It starts on a fresh sheet of paper, after the questions, so it is not handed out with the class by accident.
How many different versions of Why the Colonies Were Founded can I print?
25 — one per student, and all 25 ask different questions. Set 1 downloads the whole class as a single PDF. Every version is fixed to its own address, so a sheet printed today holds the same problems when you reopen it next week.
Is Why the Colonies Were Founded free to print and photocopy?
Yes. Why the Colonies Were Founded, its answer key and its 25 versions are free to print and photocopy for your own class, with no account, no email capture and no subscription at the download step. Please do not resell them or republish them as your own.
More practice for D2.His.14.3-5
Explain the likely causes and effects of an event.