Dover Sherborn Middle School Curriculum Road Maps

Course Title: U.S. History Grade: 8

Unit: The Causes and Consequences of the American Revolution

Month Presented: October- November Unit Length (in weeks): 4

Essential Question (s):

· What tensions develop between colonies and their mother country?

· How do tensions and conflict evolve into full scale war?

· How do two sides in a conflict both justify their actions?

· What political and philosophical ideas develop out of conflict and war?

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify and classify the different causes of the American Revolution.

2. Compare and contrast the background and motivations of Patriots and Loyalists.

3. Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of the two sides

4. Analyze and explain the currency of the ideas developed out of the Revolution.

Skills:

• Primary Source Analysis including political cartoons
• Compare and Contrast sources and events
• Understanding Cause and Effect
• Secondary Source reading
• Debate

Instructional Strategies & Activities

· French and Indian War Causes and Effects

· Timeline of British Laws and Taxes

· Political Cartoon Analysis—Attitudes towards Mother Britain - Propaganda

· Glossary of Protest

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

· Letter to England: “ “ “ “

· Truth Detective Declaration of Independence Activity

· Revolutionary War Battle Chart

· Primary Sources:

Letters of John Adams, Mercy Otis Warren, Sam Adams

Stamp Act Editorial

The Declaration of Independence

Materials Utilized:

Assessment Strategies:

• Debate Patriots vs. Loyalists
• The Road to the Revolution Unit Test including Primary Source Analysis and Essay