This American Revolutionary War unit will be a smash hit in your classroom! Included are 15 lesson plans with exciting, interactive activities. Even better, I’ve made it as easy as possible for busy teachers to implement.
*DISTANCE LEARNING UPDATE* (March 2020)
This unit now includes DIGITAL ACCESS via Google Slides.*
- I have created a Google Slides resource for each lesson. Each resource contains student instructions, student worksheets with editable text boxes, and articles/task cards if applicable.
- Google Slides can be assigned by teachers via Google Classroom. I hope this update will help teachers who are implementing distance learning due to COVID-19.
Why I created this unit
1. I believe that history lessons should not be boring (despite what the movies say!)
2. Teachers deserve excellent social studies resources. Now, can someone please tell our school districts?
3. Planning complete units is tedious and time-consuming (um... I won’t even tell you how long it took me to create this). I want to save teachers precious time so they can focus on doing what they love—teaching!
What people are saying about this unit:
“Best Revolutionary War unit I have used! My students loved the interactive piece of the presentation!”
“Absolutely AMAZING! I love your work, it is so easy to follow, organized and engaging!!!” —Liz K.
“My favorite resource of all time, I adore the simulations as do the students! That is why I will always buy from this seller.” —Danielle D.
“This purchase will finally allow me to ditch my textbooks!” —Craig D.
Table of Contents
Part 1: Context for the Revolutionary War
- The Road to Revolution—newspaper articles, jigsaw activity and student worksheets
- The Social Classes of Colonial America—informational article, discussion cards, and worksheet
- King George vs. George Washington—task cards and worksheet
- Who Fought in the Revolutionary War?—7 articles, worksheet, and group cards for sorting
- British Forces vs. Continental Forces—informational articles and student worksheet
Note: This unit is focused on the Revolutionary War rather than the entire American Revolution. For 18 lessons about the events leading up to the war, check out my Declaration of Independence unit.
Part 2: Events of the Revolutionary War (Simulation)
For this week long simulation, students join the Continental Army and adopt a new identity as a soldier, spy, or officer. Each day, students learn about actual events in the war and make decisions which result in them gaining or losing points for the army. Each day they will also analyze a primary or secondary source and complete a journal entry.
- Choose Your Identity—students adopt an identity in the Continental Army (spies, soldiers, or officers), includes informational articles, and worksheet
- Early Battles Around New York—28 slide PowerPoint with student worksheet, primary source activity, simulation instructions, student journal page & teacher guide
- Trenton and Princeton—29 slide PowerPoint with student worksheet, secondary source activity, student journal page & teacher guide
- Saratoga Campaign—30+ slide PowerPoint with student worksheet, primary source activity, student journal page & teacher guide
- Battles in the South—30+ slide PowerPoint with student worksheet, secondary source activity, student journal page & teacher guide
Part 3: After the Revolutionary War
- Treaty of Paris—activity where students make their own treaties and article
- Problems Facing the Nation—informative article and multiple worksheets focusing on finding the main idea
- Guess Which Founding Father—Founding Father speeches, Guess Which Founding Father game, and cheat sheet
- How “revolutionary” was the American Revolution?—worksheet & writing activity
- Revolutionary War Reflection—worksheet & writing activity
Help for the teacher
- Table of Contents (also available in the preview)
- Suggested pacing guide
- 15 detailed lesson plans
- Answer keys (of course!)
- Editable end-of-unit test and study guide
- Easy printing file with all student worksheets and articles
How can this unit be for grades 5th-8th?
The articles are written at a 7th-8th grade reading level. If you teach one of those grades, your students will be able to complete the activities more or less independently. If you teach 5th or 6th grade, I recommend reading and analyzing the articles with your students. They will do great! Check out the reviews to see how teachers at your grade level have successfully used and loved this unit.
Where can I find more history units?
I have already created units for the following topics:
- Age of Exploration
- 13 Colonies
- Declaration of Independence
- US Constitution
- Revolutionary War
- Westward Expansion
- Civil War
For samples of what is included, download the preview file. I would love to answer any and all questions about this product. Ask a question by clicking on “Product Q & A”
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Sharing isn’t always caring. I have created all of these products myself. Your purchase gives you permission to copy for your classroom only. If your teaching besties LOVE this unit and want to use it too, please direct them to my store. Even better, they can snag the unit at a discounted price by clicking “buy additional licenses”.
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