The American Revolution — The Birth of American Independence
Updated: 2 days ago
Grade Level: 3-5
Duration of Video: 6 minutes, 28 seconds
Themes:
Taxation without Representation
Stamp Act
Boston Tea Party
Independence
Freedom
Creating a New Nation
American Revolution
US History
The Battle of Cowpens (1781), an American victory during the Revolutionary War. Painting by William Ranney, 1845. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Description:
This video presents an overview for students of the American Revolution. Students learn about the Stamp Act and the Boston Tea Party, and why the American colonies wanted independence from Great Britain. The video also introduces students to several key people involved, and how the war ended with the creation of the United States of America.
Lesson Plan:
🎯 OBJECTIVES (SWBAT)
Explain several reasons for the American Revolution.
Identify important events connected to the Revolutionary War.
Describe the role of Paul Revere in the Revolution.
Explain how the Revolutionary War ended.
🧰 MATERIALS:
Student Worksheet 1: Timeline of the American Revolution (Printed or digital copy for each student)
Video: American Revolution for Kids: Facts on the Revolutionary War
Smart Board or computer and projector
Student Worksheet 2: Questions About the American Revolution (Printed or digital copy for each student)
Pencils or pens for each student
Posterboards for every two students
Markers and crayons
📋 LESSON FLOW
Hook: Who Gets to Make the Rules
Ask students:
How would you feel if another country controlled our school and told us:
Every time we use paper in school, we have to pay the country money.
Every time we drink water in school, we have to pay the country money.
Every time students go out to recess, we have to pay the country money.
Our school, teachers and students, do not have a say about all these rules, and we have to obey and pay the country who makes the rules.
Allow students to share their thoughts.
Discuss:
Would that be fair? Why or why not?
Why might our school and students want to make our own decisions?
Explain:
More than 200 years ago, the American colonies were controlled by Great Britain. Many colonists wanted more control over their own future. This disagreement led to the American Revolution.
Timeline with Seat Partners
Hand out:
Student Worksheet 1: Timeline of the American Revolution (Printed or digital copy for each student)
Ask students to read the timeline with their seat partners.
Question Before the Video
Reunite the class and say:
We are going to watch a movie about what led to the American
Revolution.
Ask:
As you watch the film, notice, what did the Americans do to protest against the rule of Great Britain? We’ll discuss this after the video.
Video Time
Play the video: American Revolution for Kids: Facts on the Revolutionary War
Discussion After the Video
Ask:
What did the colonists do to protest against the rule and unfair taxes of Great Britain?
Seat Partner Work
Hand out Student Worksheet 2: Questions About the American Revolution for each student and ask students to complete the worksheet with their seat partner.
Reunite Class
Reunite the class and go over the students’ answers to Student Worksheet 2: Questions About the American Revolution.
Art Project and Share
Hand out a poster board to each pair of students.
Ask seat partners to create a poster of scenes that are meaningful to
them about the American Revolution.
Reunite the class and have each pair of students share their posters with the rest of the class.
Hang up posters in the classroom.
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