The American Revolution

Content Objectives

Students will:

• Learn about the concept of the American Revolution.
• Access prior knowledge and build background about the American government.
• Explore and apply the concept of political revolution and its implications.

Language Objectives

Students will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of the American Revolution.
• Orally use words that describe the government and political unrest.
• Extend oral vocabulary by speaking about the Revolutionary War.
• Use key concept words [Great Britain, colonist, George Washington, soldier, government, dissent, revolution, restriction, war].

Other

Explain

• Use the slideshow to review the key concept words.
• Explain that students are going to learn about The American Revolution:
• The relationship between the American colonists and the British.
• The causes of a revolution.
• The Revolutionary War.
• The historical importance of George Washington.

Model

• After the host introduces the slideshow, point to the photo on screen. Ask students: What is shown in this photo? (The White House). What happens in the White House? (The American government is managed by the President and Vice President, etc.)
• Ask students: America has not always been ruled by the politicians we vote into the White House. The American colonies were originally ruled by the king of Great Britain. What did they disagree about? (Taxes and other restrictions on the colonists).
• Say: The American colonists had to fight for their independence from the British. How did they earn their independence? (The colonists revolted against the British and defeated them in the Revolutionary War).

Guided Practice

• Guide students through the next two slides, showing them that sometimes revolutions occur to bring in new governments. Always have the students describe what the colonists found to be unfair and what the British would have argued against them.

Apply

• Play the games that follow. Have them discuss with their partner the different topics that appear during the Talk About It feature.
• After the first game, ask students to talk about what George Washington accomplished in his life. After the second game, have them discuss what the American soldiers needed to win the Revolutionary War.

Close

• Ask students: What did the American colonists find to be unfair about the British rulers? Were their opinions justified? Explain why the Americans had to fight the Revolutionary War to win independence for America.
• Summarize for students that on July 4th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed, bringing an end to British rule of America, and the birth of The United States. This day is known as America's birthday and is celebrated with tons of fireworks, barbeques, picnics, and red, white, and blue clothing. Encourage them to think about how they celebrate the Fourth of July.