Teacher s Name Name of School The Major Battles of the Revolution Lesson Plan New York State 7 th Grade Social Studies Common Core Standards Covered: 7.3 - Growing tensions over political power and economic issues sparked a movement for independence from Great Britain. New York played a critical role in the course and outcome of the American Revolution. 7.3d - The outcome of the American Revolution was influenced by military strategies, geographic considerations, the involvement of the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) and other Native American groups in the war, and aid from other nations. The Treaty of Paris (1783) established the terms of peace. Students will explore the different military strategies used by the Americans and their allies, including various Native American groups, during the American Revolution. o o The Revolutionary War: turning the tide of war (7-FF.7) The Revolutionary War: conclusion and aftermath (7-FF.8) Unit Question: Topic: Subject: Duration: Designation: How did the battles of the Revolution progress and why were they significant? The Battles of the Revolutionary War The Battle of New York/Long Island Social Studies 45 minutes, once a day 7 th Grade Superintendent/Honors Level Focus: How did the Battle of Long Island set the tone for a large part of the war? Objectives: To have students be able to give a general overview of each of the major battles that took place during the Revolutionary War. They should know who won and lost, why that battle was significant and who participated in those battles. Interdisciplinary Component: For a portion of some of the lessons bringing up sub-topics that pertain to both history and something related to the events we re studying can add a humanizing element to the sometimes-dry, fact heavy lessons one might experience in a history class. Adding a culinary component to the class
can always be fun and help bring further understanding of how people really lived, thus bringing students closer to the events they are studying in a human way. Occasional videos and even simple demonstrations of how food was prepared, served and eaten can add a real depth to any lesson. A great YouTube channel that can be utilized is entitled: James Townshend and Son. Multicultural Component: Mini-Lesson (20 minutes): Group Activity (15 minutes): Wrap-up (10 minutes): Discussing the Revolutionary War is impossible without talking about the various foreign powers that were also heavily involved in the conflict. France had a big influence on the United States and vice versa. Including some anecdotes about Benjamin Franklin and how is his close ties and cultural love of France put him in an ideal position to help the Revolutionary war effort is always good fun and informative on the character of one of the most important architects of the United States of America. Using power point and lecture students will take notes while also participating in an open discussion about the lesson itself. Certain notes are required as later assessments will have students recall information previously provided by the teacher. Students will be provided with a packet at the beginning of the unit about the various battles of the revolution in which they will have to periodically return to and answer questions about the battles (example of packet is attached). The teacher picks on students to answer the questions from the packet they were given. Some of the questions are open-ended or can provide a good Segway to stimulate conversation which will allow the teacher to get a grasp on how well the class did on understanding the specifics of the battle.
Rubric for Packet Assessment: Students will be assessed on: o Details of the battle o Clear description/depictions asked for in questions o Filling out the packet neatly and properly Grading Rubric for Packet 1 2 3 4 Details of the battle No questions about battle answered in the packet. 20/32 questions about battle answered in the packet. 30/32 questions about battle answered in the packet. All questions about battle answered in the packet. Clear description/depictions Minimal description of battle. Basic description of the battle. Detailed description of the battle. Very detailed description of the battle. Filling out the packet neatly and properly The packet was blank/very sloppy/ripped or missing. The information was not placed in the correct area or is difficult to discern what goes where. The packet is neatly done, and the answers are almost always in the right place. Exceptionally neat and wellorganized answers.
Name: Class: Number: American Revolution Battles Packet Review 1. What were the first two battles of the American Revolution? 2. List five advantages (or disadvantages) for each of the two sides fighting in the American Revolution 1
1775: Battle of Bunker Hill 3. What advantage(s) did the Patriots have over the British during the battle? 4. Why were the Patriots ordered to hold their fire until they could see the whites of the [British] eye[s]? 5. Why were the Patriots forced to retreat during the battle? 6. Who won the Battle of Bunker Hill? 1776: Battle of Long Island 7. What advantages did the British have over the Patriots and the Continental Army? 8. What good decision did George Washington make during the battle? 9. Why were Continental Troops able to cross the East River to Manhattan? 2
10. Who won the Battle of Long Island? 1776: Battle of Trenton 11. On what night did Washington decide to launch a sneak attack? 12. Draw a picture illustrating what it was like for Continental Troops to cross the Delaware River? 13. Who were the Continental Troops fighting against at Trenton? 14. Who won the Battle of Trenton? 15. How did the outcome of the Battle of Trenton influence the Continental Army? 1777: Battle of Saratoga 16. Why did British General Burgoyne want to take over Albany/Hudson River? 3
17. Why was General Burgoyne s plan a failure? 18. What European country decided to join the American Revolution after the battle? And for what side? 19. Who won the Battle of Saratoga? 20. Why was the Battle of Saratoga a Turning Point in the American Revolution (list two ways)? 1777-1778: Valley Forge 21. Draw two pictures illustrating the during winter experience of the Continental Troops and the after winter experience. 22. What negative experiences did the soldiers face at Valley Forge? 23. What made Valley Forge a positive experience for Continental Troops? 4
1781: Battle of Cowpens 24. Who helped the British with early defeats in the Southern Colonies? 25. Why was Nathanael Greene successful with Continental Troops in the south? 26. Who won the Battle of Cowpens? 27. What effect did the outcome of the Battle of Cowpens have on the Continental Troops? 1781: Battle of Yorktown 28. Why did British General Cornwallis want to take over Virginia? 29. Who was Benedict Arnold? 5
30. Draw a picture of the Yorktown siege. 31. Who won the Battle of Yorktown? 6
32. Using the map below, indicate where the major battles of the American Revolution took place. Designate a color for the British victories and a different color for the American victories. 7
Name: Class: American Revolution Battles Jigsaw DIRECTIONS: Complete the following questions utilizing the information acquired at various stations regarding the major battles of the American Revolution Review 1. What were the first two battles of the American Revolution? 2. List five advantages (or disadvantages) for each of the two sides fighting in the American Revolution Patriots: British: 1775: Battle of Bunker Hill 3. What advantage(s) did the Patriots have over the British during the battle? 4. Why were the Patriots ordered to hold their fire until they could see the whites of the [British] eye[s]? 5. Why were the Patriots forced to retreat during the battle? 6. Who won the Battle of Bunker Hill? 1
1776: Battle of Long Island 7. What advantages did the British have over the Patriots and the Continental Army? 8. What good decision did George Washington make during the battle? 9. Why were Continental Troops able to cross the East River to Manhattan? 10. Who won the Battle of Long Island? 1776: Battle of Trenton 11. On what night did Washington decide to launch a sneak attack? 12. Draw a picture illustrating what it was like for Continental Troops to cross the Delaware River? 13. Who were the Continental Troops fighting against at Trenton? 14. Who won the Battle of Trenton? 15. How did the outcome of the Battle of Trenton influence the Continental Army? 2
1777: Battle of Saratoga 16. Why did British General Burgoyne want to take over Albany/Hudson River? 17. Why was General Burgoyne s plan a failure? 18. What European country decided to join the American Revolution after the battle? And for what side? 19. Who won the Battle of Saratoga? 20. Why was the Battle of Saratoga a Turning Point in the American Revolution (list two ways)? 1777-1778: Valley Forge 21. Why did George Washington decide to retreat to Valley Forge? 22. Draw two pictures illustrating the during winter experience of the Continental Troops and the after winter experience. During Winter After Winter 3
23. What negative experiences did the soldiers face at Valley Forge? 24. What made Valley Forge a positive experience for Continental Troops? 1781: Battle of Cowpens 25. Who helped the British with early defeats in the Southern Colonies? 26. Why was Nathanael Greene successful with Continental Troops in the south? 27. Who won the Battle of Cowpens? 28. What effect did the outcome of the Battle of Cowpens have on the Continental Troops? 1781: Battle of Yorktown 29. Why did British General Cornwallis want to take over Virginia? 30. Who was Benedict Arnold? 31. Draw a picture of the Yorktown siege. Siege at Yorktown 32. Who won the Battle of Yorktown? 4
33. Using the map below, indicate where the major battles of the American Revolution took place. Designate a color for the British victories and a different color for the American victories. American Victories British Victories 5