The American Revolution
  • Links 
  • Activities and Games 
  • Documents, Writings and Speeches 
  • Lesson Plans 
  • Books and Other Educational Resources 
  • Thank you to Education Planet
    for this information


     
    The 
    Revolutionary Index


     
    Valley Oak Elementary's Room 9 Presents
    The Timeline of the Revolution
    The timeline has been divided into separate web pages. From this overview, you may go to any one of these pages. At the bottom of each page, you may click on one of the arrows to move to earlier or later events in the timeline. 


     
     Each week, Education World's Great Sites for Teaching Aboutƒ page highlights Web sites to help educators work timely themes into their lessons. This week's sites are among the best on the Web for teaching about the American Revolution.
     
     
    1. The Birth of a Nation 

    2. http://tqjunior.advanced.org/3803
      This ThinkQuest Jr. entry on the founding of the United States is a terrific resource for elementary social studies. The site, which provides information about the important people, places, and events of the American Revolution, will help personalize the Revolution for students. Sections include information about clothing and historic buildings as well as a Timeline of the British march to Concord. The Zany Person Maker provides comic relief as students combine body sections to make a whole Revolutionary Era person!
    3. The Federalist Papers 

    4. http://lcweb2.loc.gov/const/fed/fedpapers.html
      The Federalist Papers, a series of 85 essays urging New Yorkers to ratify the proposed United States Constitution, are often used to help interpret the intentions of the men who drafted the Constitution. All 85 papers are posted here, and the entire site is fully searchable by exact words or their variants. This is a terrific resource for secondary school research!
    5. Arbuckle's Fort 

    6. http://www.greenbrierhistorical.org/fort.html
      This virtual tour of an American Revolutionary War fort provides a fascinating trip back to the days when soldiers fought for our nation's independence. The site includes a history of the fort, a day-by-day account of the excavation, and a look at some of the artifacts recovered. This site provides a truly striking look the lives of the people who inhabited the fort more than 200 years ago. 
    7. George Washington and the Crossing 

    8. http://www.jwjhs.reg4.k12.ct.us/tc
      Washington's Christmas crossing of the Delaware River in 1776 is probably one of the best-known events of the Revolutionary War. This well-designed Web site provides students with a unique look at that dramatic event. Here students will find War Principles of the 1700s; a mini-tour of Mount Vernon; Who Is George, an in-depth look at George Washington; a message board dedicated to the crossing; and Links to related sites.
    9. The Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention 

    10. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/bdsds/bdsdhome.html
      The Library of Congress presents primary documents from the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, which should be especially useful for students in high school and above. 
    11. America Rock http://genxtvland.simplenet.com/SchoolHouseRock/america.hts?hi

    12. This Schoolhouse Rock site presents classic made-for-Saturday-morning ditties, including such songs as No More Kings, Fireworks, The Shot Heard Round the World, and The Preamble. The songs might seem silly, but they manage to convey historical events in a fun fashion that's sure to appeal to students of all ages.
    13. Liberty! The American Revolution 

    14. http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty 
      This companion to the PBS special on the American Revolution has a great set of resources for classroom use. Note especially Chronicle of the Revolution and the game The Road to Revolution, both designed to stimulate student interest and make learning fun. Interactive quizzes and fictional newspaper accounts add to the excitement of experiencing history right in the classroom!
    15. Independence Day on the Net 

    16. http://www.holidays.net/independence
      This is a comprehensive celebration of the history, legends, and traditions of this most American of holidays. John Adams originally conceived of the idea as a day for fireworks and great public rejoicing [set dash] and how right he was! This site is the next best thing to the actual holiday, replete with music, fireworks, and lots of information. Independence Day on the Net allows you to culminate your study of the American Revolution with all kinds of elementary-level activities, such as a recipe for old-fashioned apple pie and an Uncle Sam folk art activity.
    17. Little Known Facts about the American Revolutionary War 

    18. http://www.state.de.us/facts/ushist/revfacts.htm
      Did you know that women fought in the Continental Army that there were two Boston Tea Parties? If not, this is the site for you! These and ten additional little-known facts are for those who thought they knew everything there is to know about the Revolutionary War. 

      Article by Walter McKenzie 
      Education World¬
      Copyright © 2000 Education World

     


     

    "When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
     

    - Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776 The Declaration of Independence has become one of history's most famous symbols of liberty and freedom. By putting their signatures to these unforgettable words, a group of men risked their lives and fortunes, demanded independence for thirteen loosely-connected colonies and established a great new nation founded on the emerging notions of equality and individual rights. The same month the Declaration was signed, King George III of England issued a royal proclamation declaring that his American subjects were "engaged in open and avowed rebellion." Within days, a large British reinforcement arrived in New York and the conflict that would become the American Revolution had begun. 

    The year 2000 marks the 225th Anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolution. The revolution is the implausible story of small civilian militias which defeated one of the world's greatest military powers. This time period offers a great learning opportunity based on historical accounts of great thinkers, military adventures and legendary heroism. To assist educators explain and express the significance of this incredible time in history, Education Planet has searched the web to provide you with the best online resources available, including links, activities, famous documents, speeches and writings, lesson plans, and other educational resources. 

    Note: Educators and parents should be aware that, due to the nature of this topic, some information contained in these online resources may not be appropriate for younger children and discretion is required. 
     
     
     


     

    Links

    The Declaration of Independence - A History - A great history of the Declaration of Independence from the events leading up to the drafting of the document to the signing to the ways it has been protected since it was written. A very good resource. Grades 4-12 

    The American Revolution - a Complete Timeline - A great timeline and overview of the Revolutionary War with lots of facts, photographs and information. This is the place to start for information on this period. Grades 4-12 

    Causes of the American Revolution - At this site you find a vast amount of information, arranged in an easy to use fashion, about the individual causes of the American Revolution, from the French and Indian War in 1754 to the first Continental Congress in 1774. This is a very good resource. Grades 5-12 

    Liberty! The American Revolution - This is a great site by PBS on all of the aspects of the "two and a half decades of debate and rebellion, war and peace" that was the Revolutionary War. The site includes headlines, timelines, resource material, and lots of information on daily Life in the Colonies. Grades 6-12 

    American Revolution - This is a wonderful resource which will help kids appreciate the American Revolutionary period. The text begins, "It is nearly night when you arrive at your destination: Boston, Mass., 1775. Citizens have closed and shuttered their windows, and you notice a tenseness in the air. One rowdy fellow emerges from a nearby tavern, talking angrily about the British and Boston Harborƒ" Here you will find some different resources presented in a very entertaining manner. Grades 5-12 

    Revolutionary War - An easy to use site which includes information about "the ships and naval equipment, battles, weapons, flags, and famous people involved in the war". A great place to find information and illustrations. Grades 4-12 

    Explore the Amazing World of Early America - This site offers the opportunity to learn about life in this time period from the media of the day - its newspapers, maps, magazines and writings. The wealth of documents include Ben Franklin's "Philadelphia Gazette" and a map printed in an English magazine showing Washington's defeats. This site offers a different and very interesting perspective on this period. Grades 5-12

    The Life of George Washington - This is a fascinating resource about George Washington, published eight years his death by David Ramsay, a "contemporary of Washington, historian Ramsay writes with the knowledge and insights one acquires only by being on the scene. Actually, Ramsay was an active player in the momentous events of America's unfolding drama". It covers Washington's life from his early years until his death in 1799. Grades 4-12 

    History at Valley Forge - A great resource for this period of history. You will find information about the history, the people, a special section about George Washington and more. A great place to find information on this time period. Grades 4-12 

    Thomas Jefferson Online - Did you know that Thomas Jefferson's epitaph describes him as "Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom and Father of the University of Virginia. This is a wonderful website full of information about this great thinker, prepared, appropriately by the University of Virginia. Grades 4-12 

    Benjamin Franklin - An Enlightened American - This is an excellent site which includes the biography, writings, inventions, quotations, wit, humor and more about this incredible person. This is a fascinating place to learn about the events and people of this historic events. Grades 4-12 

    Thomas Paine National Historical Association - This is a great site dedicated to the life of "America's greatest revolutionary and journalist". Here you can learn more about a less well-known figure of the American Revolution. Grades 4-12 

    Alexander Hamilton - This is an excellent site covering the biography of this historical figure, including a collection of his fascinating writings. This was a person born to fight the American Revolution. Grades 4-12 

    The Birth of a Nation - This is a great site developed by sixth graders which provides information about the people, places, events and a timeline of this period. Grades 6-12 

    Loyalist and British Songs and Poetry - There was another side to this conflict after all! Here you can get a feeling for the beliefs of those who chose to fight against the revolutionary army. Grades 5-12 

    Monticello - A fact filled resource about Thomas Jefferson, his life and times. You will find great photographs and information about everyday life during this period. Grades 4-12 

    Women Were There - The American Revolutionary War - An interesting site about the role of women in this period. Stating, that "although the call to arms was for men, several women donned the uniform of a Revolutionary soldier and fought against the British". This site covers the fascinating but true stories of the women who fought "undercover" during the U.S. war for independence. Grades 5-12 

    The Shot Heard Around the World - Go online and hear the song and watch the video of the America Rock site about the American Revolution. Grades 1-6 

    The Boston Tea Party - A good site about this dramatic event, with links to related events and more about the people involved. Grades 5-12 

    Patrick Henry - Here you will find a straightforward site dedicated to " Patrick Henry, lawyer, patriot, and orator, was a living symbol of the American struggle for liberty and self-government". Grades 6-12 

    Betsy Ross Homepage - This is a great site dedicated to the idea that one person's actions can make a difference. Here you can learn about this historical figure and go on a virtual tour of her house. As the introduction beautifully states, "Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag. When we view the flag, we think of liberty, freedom, pride, and Betsy Ross. The American flag flies on the moon, sits atop Mount Everest, is hurtling out in space. The flag is how America signs her name." Grades 4-12 

    The Paul Revere House - Here is a fact-filled, entertaining site dedicated to Paul Revere and the "Midnight Ride". You will also find pages for teachers and kids and more. Grades 3-12 

    The Sons of Liberty - This is a simple site produced by elementary school students. Great for younger kids, especially the poems about the "Sons of Liberty". Grades 1-3 

    The Loyal American Regiment - Learn more about a group of colonists who chose to fight on the side of England and who were "shunned by former friends and neighbors and forced from their homesƒSome just wanted to escape the rebels. Some wanted to fight them. There is always two sides to every conflict and here you can learn more about the other side in the Revolutionary War. Grades 6-12 

    King George, III - A concise biography of the British monarch whose "commitment to taxing the American colonies to pay for his military protection" led to the American Revolution. Did you know the colonists proclaimed independence in 1776, but King George stubbornly continued the war until 1781! Grades 6-12 
     
     

    Activities and Games

    Clickable Maps of the Revolutionary War - Here you will find a map of all of the battle locations of the Revolutionary War which you can click on to learn more about individual events of this period. Grades 5-12 

    Kids Page at Valley Forge - Here you will find some excellent resources for kids to understand this time period including Valley Forge, Benjamin Franklin and other interesting and fun items such as "Spy System 1777". Play some online games about the Revolutionary War, including "Match the Georges" and "What Are They Saying". 

    The Road to Revolution - This is an online game prepared by PBS to test your Revolutionary War knowledge. 

    Archeology at Colonial Williamsburg - This is a wonderful site about the study of life during this time period. Here you will find quizzes, puzzles, games and more about life in Colonial Williamsburg. Grades 1-6 

    Revolutionary War Inquiry Web - This is a successful project developed in a fifth grade class studying the American Revolution which uses the "collaborative group inquiry approach". The class started by creating and discussing two "Inquiry Webs" of well-known figures and major events in the American Revolution. 

    Historic Mile Tour Virtual Tour - This is the place to go to tour the historic points in Philadelphia which relate to this time period, including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Old City Hall, Congress Hall, Franklin Court, the Betsy Ross House, Old St. Augustine's Church, the City Tavern and more! Great photos and information accompany you on this virtual tour.
     

    Documents, Writings and Speeches

    Virginia Stamp Act Resolutions - Patrick Henry (1765)

    The Natural Rights of Colonists - Samuel Adams (1772)

    Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of taking up Arms - (1775)

    Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death - Patrick Henry (1775)

    Jefferson's Draft of the Declaration of Independence - (1776)

    Final Text of the Declaration of Independence - (1776)

    Articles of Confederation - (1778)

    The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1863)

    The Constitution of the United States, and Amendments

    George Washington's First Inaugural Address - (1789)

    Bill of Rights - (1789)
     
     

    Lesson Plans

    Looking for Revolutionary War related lesson plans? Through Education Planet you can find twenty-five different lesson plans about the causes of the war, the people involved and more, for all grade levels.
     

    Books and Other Educational Resources

    Need books, videos, software, posters, and other educational resources? The Education Planet Store offers more than 62 resources about all aspects of the American Revolutionary War.

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