Revolutionary War

[Scott Anthony Munford]

Hi,  I teach 8th grade social studies and will finish with causes of the American Revolution next week.  My question to all of you is..  How do you teach the Revolution?  I will be without computers that week and am looking for some inspiration.  By the way, a great source for causes of the AR is Mission US: For Crown or Colony?  It really works well if you have access to computers and the kids have had fun learning. 

[Zach Post]

One PBL way to do it is to pose the question- Should the American Revolution be taught the same way in the UK as it is in the US? See where that takes you. It should be compelling enough to drive authentic inquiry. I also like to share a pretend letter from my younger sister where she runs away from home and states her reasons. it is an analogy to the reasons expressed by colonists. I have some other stuff to share if you want more. Last year I did tie it in to the Arab Spring.

[Regina Schaffer]

I know this is old and you have probably taught it but I thought I would lend my suggestions. We used the Mission US game last year  (we had students create game resource sites for elementary students in the district, that included background history, game reviews, tips and cheats, they loved it). You can compare the Revolution to current revolutions and analyze them in the context of history. You can pose a "what if" scenario....what if our current "colonies" Puerto Rico, Guam, etc...decided that they wanted to revolt...

[Scott Anthony Munford]

Thanks Regina!  We used the Mission US game as well.  I like the idea of having students creating game resource sites for the younger kids. 

[Zach Post]

I love the "what if" idea, especially with Puerto Rico.

[Amanda Ballard]

If you are looking for an activity without computer, you could have them create a poster or broadside if you will of reasons to join the fight for independence.  Or, another option (for non-artistic which would be me), a letter to the editor for joining the fight for independence or not.  I've linked it to Mission US by using Benjamin Edes (sp?) as the editor to which we write.

[Mike Hanley]

My new book Motorcycles, Planes, & Revolution would make a good addition to K8-12 studies of the Revolutionary War.  The book is about a common man named Noah Pratt who built homes and furniture just outside Boston in the 1770s.  Given time and place, Noah also served as a Minuteman in the early battles of the Revolution surrounding Boston. 

The book explores the life and times, the early battles of the Revolution, and focuses on the meaning of freedom and why it is so important for all of us to be informed voters.

The book is based on nearly ten years of historical research, and carefully footnoted throughout.  However, passionate as I was about the topics, I realized not everyone likes reading history.  So, I decided to abandon the usual "history book" presentation of dates and names, and instead chose a form of story-telling that is easier to read.  Current life and events are used to show why something is important to us.  Four-color pictures, maps, and graphics are used throughout to help explain obscure points.  As a common man, Noah Pratt helps readers to personally relate to being there.

I would like to develop a lesson unit plan that could be used by any teacher to introduce the topics of my book, make the reading assignment, drive followup discussion, and a brief quiz - any interest?

For more information visit my website www.MotorcyclesPlanesandRevolution.com