Curated OER
African-American Communities in the North Before the Civil War
Students examine what life was like in free African-American communities before the Civil War. They analyze maps, identify elements of everyday life in these communities, explore various websites, and complete a chart.
Center for History Education
Who Fired the Shot Heard Round the World?
Take a closer look. Young academics become detectives in an engaging lesson plan on the American Revolution. Scholars work in groups to analyze documents to uncover whether the American colonists or British soldiers fired the first shot...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson 3: Religion and the Fight for American Independence
Pupils explore the role religion played in the American Revolutionary War. Using primary documents and writing exercises, students understand how religion was used in support of the war efforts and how specific religious groups responded...
Curated OER
Happy Endings: The Final Battle
Fifth graders explore all the myths of the battle of Yorktown. A variety of primary documents are viewed and analyzed for discussion. They become aware that what one sees and hears is not always as it seems in reality. Each group...
National First Ladies' Library
Blunders on All Sides: The Battle of Bunker Hill
High schoolers investigate the concepts surrounding the historical battle of Bunker Hill while conducting online research using a variety of resources. The information is used in order to create a newspaper article telling about the...
Museum of the American Revolution
George vs. George
It's George versus George in the battle for the American colonies. An interesting activity compares the leadership of George Washington and King George III during the American Revolution. Scholars read text, compare portraits, and...
Curated OER
Molly Pitcher -- "Out of Many, One"
Students research, brainstorm and analyze the events that lead up to the Revolutionary War. They critique a piece of artwork depicting a scene from the Revolutionary War. Each major battle is plotted on a map to show a visual...
Smithsonian Institution
General George Washington, Military Leader
Teach pupils the characteristics that make George Washington such an effective leader, especially in context of his time period. Scholars view artifacts, participate in group work, create lists, compare and contrast, and discuss as a...
Curated OER
The Revolutionary War: The Battle For Freedom
Eighth graders examine the events leading up to the Revolutionary War with a focus on the Boston Tea Party. Using the internet, they discover why the tea was dropped into the harbor by the colonists and research the Intolerable Acts. ...
Curated OER
What Made George Washington a Good Military Leader?
Learners identify the qualities of an effective military leader. In this Revolutionary War lesson, students view several Internet resources about George Washington's life. Student groups research one of four battles, and document their...
Curated OER
Whites of their Eyes
Learners analyze the steps that lead to the Revolutionary War. They view an eye exam chart to illustrate how important it is to focus on your end destination and see how difficult it is to focus on over time and the retelling of a...
The Alamo
A Lesson in Citizenship
What does it mean to be an American citizen? Lieutenant Colonel Commander William Barret Travis believed that it meant honor to country first—even above one's own life. Middle and high schoolers read his final letters from the Alamo that...
Curated OER
Abigail as Political and Historical Observer
Lesson five in the series asks scholars to examine letters Abigail Adams wrote about her experiences during American Revolutionary War battles, her thoughts on slavery, and her concerns for her husband.
Curated OER
What Made George Washington a Good Military Leader? What Are the Qualities of a Good Military Leader?
Students examine the military leadership of George Washington. In this military leadership activity, students use Internet and print resources to research Washington's military experience and his successful military campaigns. Students...
Curated OER
Yorktown
Young scholars examine the last major battle of the Revolutionary War at Yorktown. After viewing photographs, they participate in simulations of the surrender by Cornwallis. To end the lesson, they put the events of the battle into the...
Curated OER
Saratoga: The Tide Turns on the Frontier
Students describe, compare, and students evaluate the strategy and fighting styles of the American and British armies during battles near Saratoga, New York in 1777. They compare and contrast American, British, and German accounts of the...
Curated OER
An Interview with South Carolina Revolutionary Heroes
Students create mock interviews with revolutionary heroes. In this U.S. history lesson, students select a U.S. revolutionary war hero or British general, research their biographical information and the battles they participated in,...
Curated OER
Revolutionary War Word Search
In this word search worksheet, students use the word bank to find the names of battles of the Revolutionary War. Students find 24 words.
Curated OER
General Greene to General Marion: Your State is Invaded, Your All is at Stake
Third graders examine the contributions of Francis Marion and Nathaneal Greene. In this Revolutionary War lesson, 3rd graders use primary and secondary sources to research Marion and Greene and the accomplishments of their men during the...
Curated OER
My Brother Sam is Dead: A study of the Revolutionary War
Fifth graders complete an analysis of the Revolutionary War through literature. After "My Brother Sam Is Dead," students create a time capsule containing items that would be relevant during the Revolutionary War. They identify key...
Curated OER
Change the Face of History
Students create and write a "Choose Your Own Adventure" story as they investigate the Revolutionary War. They choose a historical figure who played a key role in the war who meets other influential figures and has the opportunity to...
Curated OER
What Made George Washington a Good Military Leader? Powers and Problems
High schoolers list qualities they believe made George Washington an effective military leader. They discuss difficulties Washington faced as Commander-in-Chief and how he responded to the difficulties he faced as the leader of the...
City University of New York
Urban Politics: Machines and Reformers
Take a trip to the turn of the twentieth century with a resource about industrialism in America. With primary source documents and focus questions, learners think about the ways that government groups and organizations paved the way for...
Curated OER
Recruitment
Fifth graders analyze and then draw recruitment posters. In this Revolutionary War lesson, 5th graders analyze recruitment posters and discuss the attitude towards African Americans. Students analyze primary documents from the...