Unit 6: Revolutionary War
George Washington at Valley Forge.
This unit is about the thirteen colonies struggle for independence. I ask students not to think about the war as good versus evil. Both sides made a lot of mistakes. I instead want them to think about it as a break up between two people and the Declaration of Independence is the break up letter. In this unit we will examine and read the Declaration of Independence. We will also look at decisive battles and key moments in the war that allowed the United States to overthrow the British Empire. Below is a list of the essential questions that your students should be able to answer after this unit.
Essential Questions/ Learning Targets:
1) What are the key points of the Declaration of Independence?? What ideas shaped the Declaration of Independence?
2) What was life like as a solider and what type of people fought in the war?
3) What advantages and disadvantages does each side have going into the war?
4) What strategies allow the colonist to win?
5) What are the major battles of the war and what key ones help turn the tide?
6) What are the terms for peace?
7) Who are key historical figures during this time?
Learning Goals/Succes Criteria Document
Essential Questions/ Learning Targets:
1) What are the key points of the Declaration of Independence?? What ideas shaped the Declaration of Independence?
2) What was life like as a solider and what type of people fought in the war?
3) What advantages and disadvantages does each side have going into the war?
4) What strategies allow the colonist to win?
5) What are the major battles of the war and what key ones help turn the tide?
6) What are the terms for peace?
7) Who are key historical figures during this time?
Learning Goals/Succes Criteria Document
Outline of Events
December 4: Get takes back and review John Locke's ideas on government. Homework: Why do we need government worksheet?
December 5: Power point over Independence and Start of War and handout 6.1. Watch video over Fort Ticonderga
December 6: Finished power point and started 6.2 notes. - Assignment: 6.1 Quiz
December 9: As a class we read the Declaration of Independence and summarize it.
December 10:In groups students work on writing their break up letter Assignment: Re-Write of Declaration
December 11: Students turn in break up letters, complete group evaluations, and watch video RETAKE DAY
December 12: Discuss video from yesterday and ppt over Middle States. Complete timeline activity. RETAKE DAY
December 13: Students learn about some key people from the war They must check their emails for directions.
December 16: Start ppt and learn about the Battle of Cowpens. Read an article, draw out the battle scene, and compare it the end battle scene in the Patriot.
December 17: Finish power point from and discuss the importance of Yorktown. Decide in groups what you want for peace terms. Start ppt and learn about the Battle of Cowpens. Read an article, draw out the battle scene, and compare it the end battle scene in the Patriot.
- Assignment: 6.5 Quiz
December 18: Review & Students listen to a rap
December 19: Test
December 5: Power point over Independence and Start of War and handout 6.1. Watch video over Fort Ticonderga
December 6: Finished power point and started 6.2 notes. - Assignment: 6.1 Quiz
December 9: As a class we read the Declaration of Independence and summarize it.
December 10:In groups students work on writing their break up letter Assignment: Re-Write of Declaration
December 11: Students turn in break up letters, complete group evaluations, and watch video RETAKE DAY
December 12: Discuss video from yesterday and ppt over Middle States. Complete timeline activity. RETAKE DAY
December 13: Students learn about some key people from the war They must check their emails for directions.
December 16: Start ppt and learn about the Battle of Cowpens. Read an article, draw out the battle scene, and compare it the end battle scene in the Patriot.
December 17: Finish power point from and discuss the importance of Yorktown. Decide in groups what you want for peace terms. Start ppt and learn about the Battle of Cowpens. Read an article, draw out the battle scene, and compare it the end battle scene in the Patriot.
- Assignment: 6.5 Quiz
December 18: Review & Students listen to a rap
December 19: Test
Power Points |
Handouts (These are some, not all!) |
Liberty Kid Videos: These are some of the videos from the Liberty Kids series. I only linked videos that relate directly to class. However, there are many more in the series and are great for learning additional information about the war.
Paul Revere's Ride: Video 1 & Video 2
Battle of Lexington and Concord: Video 1 & Video 2 Green Mountain Boys & Fort Ticonderga: Video 1 & Video 2 Second Continental Congress & Olive Peace Treaty: Video 1 & Video 2 Bunker & Breed's Hill: Video 1 & Video 2 Common Sense: Video 1 & Video 2 Declaration of Independence: Video 1 & Video 2 British take New York: Video 1 & Video 2 Colonist Navy (Turtle): Video 1 & Video 2 Molly Pitcher: Video 1 & Video 2 Poor Living Conditions: Video 1 & Video 2 Crossing the Delaware & Hessian Soliders: Video 1 & Video 2 |
Convincing France to join: Video 1 & Video 2
Sybil Lundington: Video 1 & Video 2 Hessians: Video 1 & Video 2 Valley Forge: Video 1 & Video 2 France becomes allies & Battle of Saratoga: Video 1 & Video 2 Natives impact on the war: Video 1 & Video 2 Benedict Arnold: Video 1 & Video 2 South Battles Back: Video 1 & Video 2 Deborah Samson: Video 1 & Video 2 James Armistead: Video 1 & Video 2 Battle of Yorktown: Video 1 & Video 2 |