Law in the Colonies

Students analyze an excerpt from a 1646 Massachusetts Bay Colony law about Sabbath observance, rewrite it in modern language, and answer comprehension questions. The activity develops historical literacy and helps learners explore how laws reflected religion, order, and authority in early colonial life. Students also reflect on how public reactions might differ today, connecting past governance to modern perspectives on freedom.

Curriculum Matched Skills
Social Studies – Colonial Government and Lawmaking Practices

English Language Arts – Paraphrasing and Summarizing Primary Sources

Civics – Comparing Historical and Modern Legal Perspectives

Critical Thinking – Evaluating Shifts in Social and Religious Norms

This worksheet is part of our Colonial America collection.