American Revolution Lesson Plan
Teacher: David DuBois
Grade Level: 8
Objective: Students will create a much greater understanding of the American Revolution by analyzing the events that inspired the war and explain the outcomes/results of the war. Also students will then make connections from the events of the revolution to current events of today.
Essential Questions:
1. What do you think would happen if we did not rebel?
2. The struggles that existed back then are they still relevant today?
3. Do people show that they have a lot of patriotism today?
4. Do you think that the declaration still has an important impression today?
5. What do you think the framers would think of our country today?
New Mexico Standards and Benchmarks
5-8 Benchmark 1-B. United States: analyze and interpret major eras, events and individuals from the periods of exploration and
colonization through the civil war and reconstruction in United States history
explain the significance of major historical documents (e.g., the Mayflower compact, the declaration of independence, the federalist papers,
United States constitution, bill of rights, the Gettysburg address);
Essential Questions:
1. What do you think would happen if we did not rebel?
2. The struggles that existed back then are they still relevant today?
3. Do people show that they have a lot of patriotism today?
4. Do you think that the declaration still has an important impression today?
5. What do you think the framers would think of our country today?
New Mexico Standards and Benchmarks
5-8 Benchmark 1-B. United States: analyze and interpret major eras, events and individuals from the periods of exploration and
colonization through the civil war and reconstruction in United States history
explain the significance of major historical documents (e.g., the Mayflower compact, the declaration of independence, the federalist papers,
United States constitution, bill of rights, the Gettysburg address);
Monday
Lesson one: Introduction- Have students talk on what makes America so special? Have them write for three minutes on what they know about the American Revolution. Then discuss ideas with the class.
Lesson two: Have them take notes on the events (Enlightenment Period timeline) that took place before the American Revolution. Have them understand the ideas that was going through the Enlightenment Period that helped influence the American Revolution. Assignment One will will be brought up at this time. They will look into comparing the social contracts that Locke and Hobbs has created. They look into further detail and see the inspirations that helped form the ideas that later shape the declaration , amendments, and the constitution. After the assignment is done, then begin showing the timeline of the American Revolution (1775-1783). Have them write down main ideas as well with key facts that is brought up by each event within the timeline. This helps students look for good points that will help them see the tension forming from the colonists as well looking into deeper content.
Journal Entries: Time for students to reflect. Each student will have a journal. Have them answer the question: Do you think everyone fought for the this cause? Who would be the ones to oppose it? Then have them write their own questions as well as thoughts from the timeline.
Tuesday
Lesson two (continued): Go over the timeline (1775-1783). Have students take notes and write down key facts of the events in history. Also during the timeline and events talk with students and ask about the struggles that the colonists had to go through. This helps them stay engaged with the material and have them relate back to today's issues.
Journal Entries: Have the students pull out there Journals and have them answer these questions: Do you think the people who had fought in the war ever had doubts? How scary was it for people who fought in the war? Do you think other countries wanted the Revolution to be successful? Then Reflect.
After Reflection have a discussion that ties with the lesson and see if students would be in the colonist shoes. Compare it to events of that are happening around the globe.
Wednesday
Lesson Three: Students will be split into groups and be given a "specific person" that helped in forming this country. Each group will have to gather a fifteen facts of information on the person and include events they contributed to the American Revolution. Each group must get three different outside sources. They can get information from websites and books. (please use Wikipedia as an idea starter does not count as actual source) I will also give information on the framers this information will include accomplishments, facts, and etc. Assignment Two: an individual assignment where the student will pick five facts and characteristics and explain why the facts/characteristics stand out to them. They must explain why that framer was important to the creation to this nation. This will give students to look into complex ideas of individuals and to form a better understanding that makes up that person. Critical skills should be developed in this process. This information will also give students a good foot hold and understanding on what they can do to reference on some information. that was provided.
Lesson Four: We will go over the Declaration of Independence as a class. We will look through the document to see the enlightened thinking that inspired the revolution. Also point out the major significance it had.
Journal Entries: Have students pull out their journals and have them answer questions: What are your thoughts on the farmers that shaped this country? Do you think their ideals are still continued today? Then Reflect.
Thursday
Lesson Four (continued): Finish up the breakdown of the declaration, and then look through the details of other important documents that are important. The other documents are (amendments, articles of confederation, and the constitution.) Have the class break into groups and find details that stands out to them. Have them explain why.They will look at the declaration differently and see that this document has promises that wanted to be a free nation as well with the other writings. Make a connection with documents to John Locke thinking. It should show connection as well as tying up the Enlightenment Period. The wording will be difficult so break it down and help them through it to get a better understanding. Discussion after they got a good idea on the information that was being read.
Lesson Five: Have students look at the artwork that shaped the American ordeals of this time period. Have them look at the details that makes up the paintings. Assignment Three: Describe the battles and the people depicted in them. What image does this give people back then? What message does it send to the people of today? These questions will be on a worksheet that is given during the slide show. Have students list their thoughts ideas. Also answer the questions after they finish, have a discussion. This assignment will make students analyze an image. They will analyze information in a new way and images share a lot of information.
Journal Entries: Which painting stood out to you most? Why? Is it displaying American Ideals? Reflect.
Friday
Lesson Three (continued): On the discoveries that are made so far give them a chance to write down their opinions to the information that was found. Did their views on that person change. They also are putting together a presentation and this additional information must be added in. (This assignment will continue to next week).
Journal Entries: Did your views of the framers change at all? If so/not why? Do you think if they did not help the rebellion what would have happened instead? Reflect then go into discussion.
Lesson Six: Who were the people that fought in the war? Assignment Four: Have them watch the clip. (The clip is about things you did not know facts about the revolution) For the homework element have them answer the question on the blog. Respond to a classmate and explain why you agree with them.
Next Week: We will finish up group projects. Also look at battles and talk about outcomes if they ended differently.
Lesson one: Introduction- Have students talk on what makes America so special? Have them write for three minutes on what they know about the American Revolution. Then discuss ideas with the class.
Lesson two: Have them take notes on the events (Enlightenment Period timeline) that took place before the American Revolution. Have them understand the ideas that was going through the Enlightenment Period that helped influence the American Revolution. Assignment One will will be brought up at this time. They will look into comparing the social contracts that Locke and Hobbs has created. They look into further detail and see the inspirations that helped form the ideas that later shape the declaration , amendments, and the constitution. After the assignment is done, then begin showing the timeline of the American Revolution (1775-1783). Have them write down main ideas as well with key facts that is brought up by each event within the timeline. This helps students look for good points that will help them see the tension forming from the colonists as well looking into deeper content.
Journal Entries: Time for students to reflect. Each student will have a journal. Have them answer the question: Do you think everyone fought for the this cause? Who would be the ones to oppose it? Then have them write their own questions as well as thoughts from the timeline.
Tuesday
Lesson two (continued): Go over the timeline (1775-1783). Have students take notes and write down key facts of the events in history. Also during the timeline and events talk with students and ask about the struggles that the colonists had to go through. This helps them stay engaged with the material and have them relate back to today's issues.
Journal Entries: Have the students pull out there Journals and have them answer these questions: Do you think the people who had fought in the war ever had doubts? How scary was it for people who fought in the war? Do you think other countries wanted the Revolution to be successful? Then Reflect.
After Reflection have a discussion that ties with the lesson and see if students would be in the colonist shoes. Compare it to events of that are happening around the globe.
Wednesday
Lesson Three: Students will be split into groups and be given a "specific person" that helped in forming this country. Each group will have to gather a fifteen facts of information on the person and include events they contributed to the American Revolution. Each group must get three different outside sources. They can get information from websites and books. (please use Wikipedia as an idea starter does not count as actual source) I will also give information on the framers this information will include accomplishments, facts, and etc. Assignment Two: an individual assignment where the student will pick five facts and characteristics and explain why the facts/characteristics stand out to them. They must explain why that framer was important to the creation to this nation. This will give students to look into complex ideas of individuals and to form a better understanding that makes up that person. Critical skills should be developed in this process. This information will also give students a good foot hold and understanding on what they can do to reference on some information. that was provided.
Lesson Four: We will go over the Declaration of Independence as a class. We will look through the document to see the enlightened thinking that inspired the revolution. Also point out the major significance it had.
Journal Entries: Have students pull out their journals and have them answer questions: What are your thoughts on the farmers that shaped this country? Do you think their ideals are still continued today? Then Reflect.
Thursday
Lesson Four (continued): Finish up the breakdown of the declaration, and then look through the details of other important documents that are important. The other documents are (amendments, articles of confederation, and the constitution.) Have the class break into groups and find details that stands out to them. Have them explain why.They will look at the declaration differently and see that this document has promises that wanted to be a free nation as well with the other writings. Make a connection with documents to John Locke thinking. It should show connection as well as tying up the Enlightenment Period. The wording will be difficult so break it down and help them through it to get a better understanding. Discussion after they got a good idea on the information that was being read.
Lesson Five: Have students look at the artwork that shaped the American ordeals of this time period. Have them look at the details that makes up the paintings. Assignment Three: Describe the battles and the people depicted in them. What image does this give people back then? What message does it send to the people of today? These questions will be on a worksheet that is given during the slide show. Have students list their thoughts ideas. Also answer the questions after they finish, have a discussion. This assignment will make students analyze an image. They will analyze information in a new way and images share a lot of information.
Journal Entries: Which painting stood out to you most? Why? Is it displaying American Ideals? Reflect.
Friday
Lesson Three (continued): On the discoveries that are made so far give them a chance to write down their opinions to the information that was found. Did their views on that person change. They also are putting together a presentation and this additional information must be added in. (This assignment will continue to next week).
Journal Entries: Did your views of the framers change at all? If so/not why? Do you think if they did not help the rebellion what would have happened instead? Reflect then go into discussion.
Lesson Six: Who were the people that fought in the war? Assignment Four: Have them watch the clip. (The clip is about things you did not know facts about the revolution) For the homework element have them answer the question on the blog. Respond to a classmate and explain why you agree with them.
Next Week: We will finish up group projects. Also look at battles and talk about outcomes if they ended differently.