Engaging With History in the Classroom

The American Revolution (Grades 6-8)

Janice I. Robbins, Carol L. Tieso

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2021
• eBook ISBN:
  9781000492644
• Print ISBN:
  9781618212535
• Subtopic: Teaching Social Science

Engaging With History in the Classroom: The American Revolution is the first in a series of middle-grade U.S. history units that focus on what it means to be an American citizen, living in a democracy that expects as much from its citizens as it provides to them. In every lesson, students are asked to step into the world of the 18th-century American colonies, to hear about and to see what was happening, to read the words of real people and to imagine their hopes, dreams, and feelings. Students also learn to question the accounts left behind and to recognize different perspectives on events that marked the beginnings of our country as an independent nation. Resources for teachers include a running script useful as a model for guiding conceptualization as well as extensive teacher notes with practical suggestions for personalizing activities.

Grades 6-8

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Half Title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents Page
• Unit Overview
• Lesson 1 What do you know about the American Revolution?
• Lesson 2 What is Conflict?
• Lesson 3 Whose Land is it, Anyway?
• Lesson 4 What Caused Growing Discontent in the Colonies?
• Lesson 5 How did Feelings of Discontent Escalate?
• Lesson 6 How did the Conflict Over Citizens’ Rights Lead to War?
• Lesson 7 The Signers: Heroes or Traitors?
• Lesson 8 What are the Key Ideas in the Declaration of Independence?
• Lesson 9 What was Life Like on the Front Lines?
• Lesson 10 How did Americans Achieve Victory at Yorktown?
• Lesson 11 Did the American Revolution Result in Equality for All?
• Lesson 12 What have we Learned about the American Revolution?
• References
• Appendix A: Concept Development Strategies
• Appendix B: Books about the American Revolution
• About the Authors
• Common Core State Standards Alignment