Fair or unfair? To begin a study of the American Revolution, class members review the treatment of the people of the American Colonies by the King of England and decide which were fair and which were unfair. Class members then annotate a...

The final segment of this terrific four-part series on the American Revolutionary War offers a unique perspective on the losers of the war. The Tories, who were the colonists who stayed loyal to the British Empire, were ostracized and...

Explore the Declaration of Independence in this US History lesson. Middle schoolers compare and contrast viewpoints of the Loyalists and the Patriots as they discuss the issue of colonial independence from Britain. They present support...

Ninth graders respond in essay form to the following writing prompt. Mel Gibson, star of The Patriot, is quoted as stating, "If one were to adhere to historical accuracy all the way, you'd probably have the most boring two hours on...

New ReviewThe role of women before and during the American Revolution changed dramatically. To gain an understanding of these changes, middle schoolers analyze primary source documents, including letters from women that supported the patriot cause...

New ReviewAcademics compare images of the Boston Massacre to understand differing opinions of the event. Scholars view multiple images, participate in group discussion, and complete a series of written prompts. Young historians gain an...

New ReviewTo sign or not to sign, that is the question. Scholars review the Declaration of Independence and discuss the Framers' decisions for signing the document. The activity uses primary text, a worksheet, and group discussion to help...

New ReviewPatriot or traitor? Scholars debate the line between patriotism and treason in a short activity. Academics analyze a political cartoon and discuss varying viewpoints between different groups living in the American colonies. The activity...

Many Americans can identify Thomas Paine and his seminal work, Common Sense. Yet, only six people showed up at his funeral. Using video resources, class members study both the document and the outcomes of his inflammatory words. Clips...

Young historians get hooked into a unit study of the American Revolution with a simulation that lets them experience some of the outrage colonists felt about unfair taxes. Class members demonstrate what they have learned in the study by...

The Stamp Act, Paul Revere's ride, and the Boston Tea Party pushed American colonists to the tipping point that led to the American Revolution. Fifth graders research the key figures of the war, study the Declaration of Independence, and...

To understand the reasonings of those colonials who sought independence from England, young historians are divided into content groups that examine documents related to either the Boston Tea Party, the Yorktown Tea Party, Tea Overboard,...

While less well known than the event in Boston, the Yorktown Tea Party was equally decisive in turning community sentiment against Great Britain. To gain an understanding of why the colonists objected to the Tea Act, young historians...

In order to understand the challenges the Continental Army faced during the American Revolution, class members analyze primary source materials including a soldier's journal and an officer's letter, and watch a short reenactment video.

As part of a study of the American Revolution, class members engage in an inquiry-based lesson that has them watch a scene from the play Slave Spy, examine multiple primary source documents, and then discuss the similarities and...

Celebrated the third Monday in April, Patriots' Day honors those who battled the British at Lexington and Concord. A short video provides an overview of events that led to the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.

What's missing from most studies of the American Revolutionary War is information about the role African Americans played in the conflict. To correct this oversight, middle schoolers research groups like the Black Loyalists and  Black...

Patriots versus Loyalists, a huge divide during the Revolutionary War in what would become the United States of America. An informative resource includes both direct instruction about the two groups and a quiz pupils take after reading...

Be sure to grab a copy of the Revolutionary Times! Scholars take a step back in time to report on topics as set in the revolutionary time period. Events include the ride of Paul Revere, the Battle of Saratoga, and more.

Bring history to life for your young scholars with a Fourth of July lesson series. After a class reading of the Declaration of Independence, students translate this pivotal document into layman's terms before working in small groups to...

Tenth graders consider what made colonists Patriots or Loyalists. In this colonial America lesson, 10th graders research primary and secondary sources to prepare for a historical role play activity that requires them to act as Patriots...

Eighth graders consider what it meant to be a patriot. In this U.S. and West Virginia government lesson, 8th graders watch a video and read a selection about patriots in colonial America. Students discuss the content of the sources.

Learners explain the Patriot attitude toward the British monarchy, which helps them embrace the Founders' reluctance to have a strong executive under the Articles of Confederation as well as their desire to build in checks of executive...

Tenth graders consider what made colonists Patriots or Loyalists. In this colonial America lesson, 10th graders research primary and secondary sources to prepare for a historical role play activity that requires them act as Patriots or...