Revolutionary War! America's War for Independence in 10 Easy Lessons - Revolution History
In this ten session social studies course, students will learn about the American War of Independence from events leading up to the war to the Treaty of Paris and the writing of the Constitution
Michael DiMinno, M.A.T.
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What's included
10 live meetings
10 in-class hoursMastery Evaluation
includedGrading
includedClass Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Beginner Level
Learn all about the Revolutionary War from someone who has been teaching it to this age group for 2 decades! There will be ten immersive sessions which will cover the lead up to the conflict to the end of the war, the Treaty of Paris, and the long term effects of the war. The sessions will cover: Session # 1 -Intro to the Revolutionary War The 7 Years War and its effects in North America The Relationship between the colonies and Great Britain before the war Unappreciative Colonists or Tyrannical British? The "Acts" that added fuel to the fire "Taxation without Representation" Session # 2 - Drama in the Colonies The Boston Massacre The Boston Tea Party Hey...why did all this stuff happen in Boston? The First and Second Continental Congresses Session # 3 - Weapons, Tactics, Technology and Uniforms of the American Revolution The flintlock musket (and the very occasional rifle) "Why did they fight in lines...isn't that silly?" Revolutionary War artillery and types of ammunition Cavalry during the Revolutionary War Uniforms of the Revolutionary War...why on earth did the British wear red? *Note: Outschool has given me permission to show my reproduction 2nd Pattern Brown Bess musket during this series. * Session # 4 -Opening Shots Paul Revere's Ride ( and Prescott's, and Dawes) The world-changing action on Lexington Green - "The Shot Heard Round the World" On to Concord The Battle of Bunker Hill...were the British invincible? Session # 5 - The New York and New Jersey Campaigns Washington's frustration The Battle of Long Island The Capture of Manhattan Escape to New Jersey The "Ten Crucial Days" Trenton, Assunpink Creek and Princeton: Badly needed American victories Session # 6 - Documents of the American Revolution...the Good and the Bad The Declaration of Independence...not without consequences! A good try, but a fail...the Articles of Confederation Session # 7 - The "Forgotten War..." The Southern theater during the American Revolution The British take Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina The Battles of King's Mountain and Cowpens, South Carolina - Patriot victories Guilford Courthouse - a draw? Session # 8 -French Intervention and the Battle of Yorktown The Marquis de Lafayette - an officer since he was 13 The French Navy The Compte de Rochambeau - a little French know-how goes a long way The Siege at Yorktown Lord Cornwallis surrenders (well, not Cornwallis) The Treaty of Paris Session # 9 - The US Constitution A "living" document The Bill of Rights (and the rest of the Amendments) Session # 10 - Revolutionary War Obscure A handful of stories about the American Revolution that are not commonly known or talked about I teach by using slides, photographs and paintings, video clips, discussions and more. There will be question/answer periods and both group and individual opportunities to offer answers and opinions about the subject. Some prior knowledge of colonial America helpful, but not a must. I've taught this subject for many years and most students have no background knowledge. As the teacher, I will be dressed in a reproduction Revolutionary War uniform for some of the sessions.
Learning Goals
Students will develop a greater knowledge of the American Revolution, including why it occurred, the importance of it and the long lasting effects after its completion.Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of significant events and key figures during the American Revolution, such as the Boston Massacre, the Battles of Lexington and Concord, George Washington's leadership, and the Declaration of Independence
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum10 Lessons
over 10 WeeksLesson 1:
Session # 1 - Intro to the Revolutionary War
The 7 Years War and its effects in North America
The Relationship between the colonies and Great Britain before the war
Unappreciative Colonists or Tyrannical British?
The "Acts" that added fuel to the fire
"Taxation without Representation" 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Session # 2 - Drama in the Colonies
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Tea Party
Hey...why did all this stuff happen in Boston?
The First and Second Continental Congresses 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Session # 3 - Weapons, Tactics, Technology and Uniforms of the American Revolution
The flintlock musket (and the very occasional rifle)
"Why did they fight in lines...isn't that silly?"
Revolutionary War artillery and types of ammunition
Cavalry during the Revolutionary War
Uniforms of the Revolutionary War...why on earth did the British wear red? 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Session # 4 - Opening Shots
Paul Revere's Ride ( and Prescott's, and Dawes)
The world-changing action on Lexington Green - "The Shot Heard Round the World"
On to Concord
The Battle of Bunker Hill...were the British invincible? 60 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
I have been teaching military history to elementary students since 2001 and parents have appreciated the approach I use given the age of the students. I try to keep our study away from the more age inappropriate topics, such as The Holocaust, harsh treatment of POW's, etc. It is not that these topics aren't important, it's just that the age range for these lessons (8-14) is a bit on the younger side, so I feel that they are better left to teachers of older grades. When I do get questions about the more disturbing aspects of the war, I might answer along the lines of, "these soldiers went into this country and did not treat the people there well," instead of giving specifics. Having said this, please be aware that these classes are about warfare and military history. One aspect of this is to talk about weapons from the corresponding era, and to discuss advancements in military technology. I don't handle any firearms personally, but we do discuss weapons and technology and I show pictures and videos when appropriate.
If your learner is sensitive to this kind of subject, and may get frightened or upset upon seeing a picture of a rifle, cannon, tank or bullet, then this may not be the class for them. This is a class about military history, and there is no way to avoid this, so please take this into account before signing up.
*Note: Outschool has given me permission to show my reproduction 2nd Pattern Brown Bess musket during this series. *
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
There are many sources that I use for this course. Primary documents such as the Articles of Confederation, the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution will all be referenced in this course. There are also many books and websites that I use as well, such as YouTube, where I carefully vet age-appropriate videos for the learners. Some examples of books that I will use include:
Patriots by A.J Languth
Decisive Day by Richard M. Ketchum
it is also important to engage in myth busting as well as examining the American Revolution from not just the American side but also from the British and Loyalist sides as well. The experince of women is also discussed. I've included these sources to represent both sides of the conflict:
British Soldiers, American War by Don Hagist
These Distinguished Corps: British Grenadier and Light Infantry Battalions in the American Revolution by Don Hagist
The Loyalist Experience by Kimberly Nath
Women in the Revolution by Jeanne Bracken
Joined April, 2020
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755reviews
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Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Education from Manhattanville College
Bachelor's Degree from State University of New York College at Fredonia
I have been a teacher since 2001 and for most of that time I have been teaching social studies at the elementary or middle school level. Coupled with that, my collection of military uniforms and my living history experience add greatly to my lessons.
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Live Group Course
$25
weekly or $250 for 10 classes1x per week, 10 weeks
60 min
Completed by 47 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-15
3-10 learners per class
