I need some guidance from some veteran teachers. I have to come up with a 3-4 day unit over one or two aspects of the American Revolution. I am not sure what to focus on...Stamp Act, Paul Revere, Boston Tea Party, etc. I have to come up with activities for whatever I have decided to do. I would appreciate any thoughts or ideas on this topic. Thank you.
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American Revolution for 5th grade
I'm currently in the last few days of my Revolutionary War unit. We've been going for about 2.5-3 weeks on this. Have another week to go before the test and project.
In 3-4 days, I'd include the different "Acts," Sugar, Stamp, Intolerable, Townshend, etc. There's an activity on the site called "The King's M&M's" that would go great with this. It took me a full class period, 50 minutes to do. Then I would focus on some of the more important people. Washington, Jefferson (Declaration), King George III, and a few others. Maybe have the students write about who they would have liked to meet, or what might have been difficult their job. Lastly, maybe go with a few of the more important battles. Have them find the locations on a map and label it.
In 3-4 days, I'd include the different "Acts," Sugar, Stamp, Intolerable, Townshend, etc. There's an activity on the site called "The King's M&M's" that would go great with this. It took me a full class period, 50 minutes to do. Then I would focus on some of the more important people. Washington, Jefferson (Declaration), King George III, and a few others. Maybe have the students write about who they would have liked to meet, or what might have been difficult their job. Lastly, maybe go with a few of the more important battles. Have them find the locations on a map and label it.
talgirl
Senior Member
You could have them write an "I Am" poem to represent one of those important people. When I taught 5th grade my students did this and did an amazing job - even the low kids! I think it's because they get to become an "expert" on someone and pretend to be them. Let me know if you need the poem format and I will get it for you. Won't be til Monday thoug, because it's on my computer at school.
crockpotqueen
Senior Member
Paul Revere
The Jean Fritz books on this subject would be good to use. The Paul Revere one is our reading book and my kids really enjoy the story. It has some funny parts and it is certainly action packed. I made up questions to go with it and use it for both SS and reading grades.
I really like teaching about Paul Revere. He's such a likable character and is sort of an unsung hero outside of Massachusetts. I showed my students his portrait by John Singleton Copley and they marveled at the artists ability to paint such a lifelike picture, too.
I didn't do it this year, but other years, I've had students do a RAFT project on the story. Students choose a point of view (could be very creative... like Paul's horse talking to another horse in the barn), the format (could be a funeral eulogy, a letter, a talk show...) to kind of summarize the story. Kids that are really into it might do additional research.
I like to call attention to the type of character our founding fathers had.... they were really determined, go getters and very hard workers. What if that had not been so? Where would we be today if they hadn't been so passionate and determined? I tell my students that we can really learn a lesson from them, about hard work and selflessness. No- they weren't perfect people, of course.... from what it sounds like (you'll see if you read the story), Paul Revere might have had ADD! Poor George Washington - his jaws are swollen in many of his portraits due to the condition of his teeth.
Anyway, enjoy the unit. Sounds like fun to me!
The Jean Fritz books on this subject would be good to use. The Paul Revere one is our reading book and my kids really enjoy the story. It has some funny parts and it is certainly action packed. I made up questions to go with it and use it for both SS and reading grades.
I really like teaching about Paul Revere. He's such a likable character and is sort of an unsung hero outside of Massachusetts. I showed my students his portrait by John Singleton Copley and they marveled at the artists ability to paint such a lifelike picture, too.
I didn't do it this year, but other years, I've had students do a RAFT project on the story. Students choose a point of view (could be very creative... like Paul's horse talking to another horse in the barn), the format (could be a funeral eulogy, a letter, a talk show...) to kind of summarize the story. Kids that are really into it might do additional research.
I like to call attention to the type of character our founding fathers had.... they were really determined, go getters and very hard workers. What if that had not been so? Where would we be today if they hadn't been so passionate and determined? I tell my students that we can really learn a lesson from them, about hard work and selflessness. No- they weren't perfect people, of course.... from what it sounds like (you'll see if you read the story), Paul Revere might have had ADD! Poor George Washington - his jaws are swollen in many of his portraits due to the condition of his teeth.
Anyway, enjoy the unit. Sounds like fun to me!