Dover-Sherborn Middle School

Curriculum Road Maps

 

Course Title:                 U.S. History                                                     Grade:              8         

 

Unit:                            Revolution                   ______           

Month Presented:         September-October              Unit Length (in weeks):    5         

 

 

Essential Question (s):

  • Was the American Revolution really a “revolution?”  

 

 

Learning Objectives:

1.      Understand key political, economic and social causes of the American Revolution.  USI.1

2.      Understand the arguments supporting and opposing British policies.

3.      Compare and contrast the military and political strengths and weaknesses of the British and the colonists.  USI.5

4.      Connect the ideas and resistance that inspired the Revolution to modern institutions and protest movements.  USI.2, USI.3, USI.4

5.      Understand the role of colonial and town governments in daily life and protest

6.      Review and use 5 paragraph essay format to consider one of essential questions.

 

Skills:

  • Primary source analysis—determine audience, reliability of source
  • Define and properly use government terms:        Magna Carta, Parliament, monarchy, petition 
  • Define and properly use economic terms:  mercantilism, writs of assistance
  • Use a timeline to accurately plot major events in the Revolution era (MA Frameworks Concepts and Skills 5,6)
  • Review of five paragraph essay format, focus on strong thesis statement and evidence.  (MA Composition Standard 19 Writing) 

 

Instructional Strategies and  Activities:

·        French and Indian War Causes and Effects

·        Timeline of British Laws and Taxes

·        Political Cartoon Activities

·        Glossary of Protest

·        Simulation/Debate:           To be Free or Not to be Free?

·        Truth Detective:   Declaration of Independence Activity

·        Revolutionary War Battle Chart

·        Primary Sources (examples):         

                                    Letters of John Adams, Mercy Otis Warren, Sam Adams

                                    Stamp Act Editorial

                                    The Declaration of Independence

Materials Used:   Textbook, internet websites, political cartoons, documentaries, movies (The Crossing) 

 

Assessment Strategies:

  • Reading and Content Quizzes
  • Revolution era timeline
  • Five Paragraph essay writing lab participation, drafting and product
  • Town meeting