M & M Simulation on British Taxes

Students participated in an M&M Simulation where they were given M&M's to start and then had to pay their candy to a tax collector based on the taxes imposed on them by parliament.

Declaration of Independence

As a class, we analyzed the parts of the Declaration of Independence and then students drafted their own declarations. We dyed paper with coffee and burnt the edges, then students wrote their declarations onto the paper. Lastly, students were able to go around and sign eachother's declarations.

Revolutionary War Heroes

Students investigated different revolutionary war heroes in groups. Students then created posters of their hero and presented them to the class.

Playing Card Activity - British vs. Colonists

Students participated in an activity where they held a playing card to their chest so that everyone could see it. Black cards represented American Colonists and red cards represented the British. Students then had to walk around the room and without speaking react to the different playing cards.

Neutral Groups in the War

Students worked in groups to come up with a definition of neutral. As a class we then investigated different groups that remained neutral in the war and then students discussed how their definition changed.

Victory at Yorktown

Students learned about the Colonial A victory at Yorktown. Students then sang a song written during that time to celebrate the victory: "The World Turned Upside Down."

American Revolution Poem

As a summative assessment for the unit, students had to write poems about the revolutionary war. Students had to include many of the events that happened during the war and put them in chronological order. Students then made scrolls out of paper, glue and straws and wrote their poems onto their scroll.