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Who Fired the Shot Heard Round the World? Lesson PlanWho Fired the Shot Heard Round the World? Lesson Plan
Publisher
Center for History Education
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
6th - 8th
Subjects
Social Studies & History
2 more...
Resource Type
Lesson Plans
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
2 hrs
Instructional Strategies
Discussion
2 more...
Usage Permissions
Fine Print: Educational Use
Lesson Plan

Who Fired the Shot Heard Round the World?

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Who Fired the Shot Heard Round the World? lesson plan also includes:
  • Who Fired the Shot Heard Round the World? (.html)
  • Resource Sheet #1: John Parker - Affidavit No. 4. Lexington, April 25, 1775 (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #2: Diary of a British Officer (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #3: Affidavit No. 1 Lexington, April 25, 1775 (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #4: Elijah Saunderson testimony, April 25, 1775 (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #5: Affidavit No. 20 Medford, April 25, 1775 (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #6: Part of Affidavit No. 18 Worcester, April 26, 1775 (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #7: Source Evaluation Organizer: Who fired the "shot heard 'round the world"? (.pdf)
  • Resource Sheet #8: Who do you believe fired the first shot at the battle of Lexington and why? (.pdf)
  • Activity
  • Vocabulary
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Take a closer look. Young academics become detectives in an engaging lesson on the American Revolution. Scholars work in groups to analyze documents to uncover whether the American colonists or British soldiers fired the first shot at the Battle of Lexington and Concord that started the American Revolution. The lesson uses graphic organizers and group discussion to help historians form a conclusion about the battle and defend their arguments with evidence. 

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Concepts

america, american history, the united states, the american revolution, wars, the battles of lexington and concord, the american colonies, great britain, british imperialism, military history, the military, primary source analysis, primary source images, primary sources, historical documents, historical analysis, historical context, revolutions, protests, causes of the american revolution

Instructional Ideas

  • Read the Concord Hymn poem as a group 
  • Have pupils create a visual representation of who they think fired the first shot

Classroom Considerations

  • Younger learners may need additional help with vocabulary terms 

Pros

  • Lesson uses primary sources to enhance learning
  • Includes detailed background knowledge to assist instructors implement the lesson 

Cons

  • None

View 30,454 other resources for 6th - 8th Grade Social Studies & History

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