American Revolution: Patriots vs. Loyalists

 

 

  

PRINT RESOURCES: NON-FICTION

 

10 EASY-TO-READ AMERICAN HISTORY PLAYS THAT REACH ALL KINDS OF READERS

http://tinyurl.com/d9a9hp

Plays for 3rd grade reading level that look like a fun way to liven up a history lesson.  Students might think about writing their own plays based on this style and play out the debate between Patriots and Loyalists.

 

A History of US

http://tinyurl.com/d9ggab

If a textbook was ever to seem a bit interesting, this would be the one.  Well written and lively, I think this would be a great classroom edition to have for all the students.  I found this paperback on Amazon, but a hardback version would be better.  This edition from the series specifically covers the formation of the United States and would help clarify basic democratic ideals on which the CBAs are focused. 

 

AMERICAN HISTORY ACTIVITIES: Hands-on History

http://tinyurl.com/d8rm85

Short 2-4 class period simulations that includes one on "Patriots and Redcoats." 

 

AMERICAN HISTORY ON FILE

http://tinyurl.com/cc83sk 

This is a collection of maps and articles that are collected in a 3-ring binder.  It covers a whole range of topics including one article that compares Patriots and Redcoats!  I think it would be great addition to your library as students and teachers alike could use it in history research.  There are no copyright issues, so you can reproduce the sheets as you need.

 

American Migrations, 1765-1799: the lives, times and families of colonial Americans who remained loyal to the British Crown before, during and after the Revolutionary War, as related in their own words and through their correspondence, by Peter Wilson Coldham.

http://tinyurl.com/canhk3

Although an adult book, it may have valuable excerpts that will help kids understand why some sided with England.  You might be able to glean some good quotes or excerpts from this.  

 

BRING HISTORY ALIVE! A Sourcebook for Teaching United States History

http://tinyurl.com/dlex7s 

I added this book because many History Teachers use it and has a broad base of good reviews.  It provides primary source documents and ideas to teaching using inquiry-based approach to 5th grade audience.

 

COLONIAL AND REVOLUTION SONGS

http://tinyurl.com/dlcskl 

Has songs of the era on CD as well as lyrics and notes on the song's meaning as a reflection of people's sentiments of the times.

 

Come all you brave soldiers: Blacks in the Revolutionary War. 1998.  by Clinton Cox.

http://tinyurl.com/cgoty3

If you are looking to expand the cast of who fought in the War and their personal experiences, this book gives insight into the Black experience. Tells the story of the thousands of black men who served as soldiers fighting for independence from England during the American Revolutionary War.  Good review from School Library Journal.

 

Countdown to Independence: a revolution of ideas in England and her American colonies:  1760-1776, by Natalie Bober.

http://tinyurl.com/clrq9m

Published by Atheneum Books for Young People, which generally relies on primary source documents.  Examines the people and events both in the American colonies and in Great Britain between 1760 and 1776 that led to the American Revolution. Has good reviews from Horn book among others.

 

Eyewitness Book: American Revolution, by Stuart Murray.

http://tinyurl.com/chhxcr

If you don't already have a copy, a good resource. Designed for grades 4-12.

      "This sumptuously illustrated book puts students on the front lines as it asks them to "witness" the thrilling events of the American war for independence and also meet the Revolution’s colorful cast of soldiers, heroes, scoundrels, and patriots. Extensive historical background, fascinating facts, colorful sidebars, excerpts from primary sources, and detailed illustrations, maps, and descriptions..."Social Studies Services catalogue.  

 

IF YOU...SERIES

http://tinyurl.com/dkl86f 

There is one book in the series on "If You Lived in Colonial Times."  3rd grade reading level that might help students envision life for Patriots and the choices they faced to side with the Revolution.

 

George vs. George: The Revolutionary War as Seen by Both Sides, by Rosalyn Schanzer  

http://tinyurl.com/cojhnm

Presents both sides' views on reasons for war including taxation.  First half seems to compare/contrast the monarch and the man, the second seems to go into more detail on the reasons for their views.  Looks like it is at a good reading level for your students. 

 

JEAN FRITZ'S AMERICAN HISTORY BOOKS

http://tinyurl.com/d82srt

Funny and accessible to kids, the Jean Fritz books on American history are a great resource.  You may want to look at specific titles such as "Can't You Make Them Behave, King George?" and "Then What Happened, Paul Revere?"  These are also available through the WCLS website.

 

KIDS DISCOVER MAGAZINE SETS: American History

http://tinyurl.com/dy672m

I know you have one copy of this already but thought you might like to have a classroom set.  Basic overview of American Revolution, but it may be a good starting resource for students and ELL students. 

 

King George: What was his problem? Everything your schoolbooks didn't tell you about the American Revolution, by Steve Sheinkin

http://tinyurl.com/ct5gkr

 

Liberty Tree: the beginning of the American Revolution, by Lucile Penner 

http://tinyurl.com/cbupat 

This book has a newer edition published in 2002 with the title of Liberty! How the Revolutionary War Began.  Copies were available through Amazon and other sources. I've heard good things about this book from other 5th grade teachers.

 

Mud & guts: a look at the common soldier of the American Revolution, by Bill Mauldin.

http://tinyurl.com/chabbo

An adult book, and an older one, but may have some useful excerpts.  

 

Picture book of the Continental soldier, by Keith Wilbur

http://tinyurl.com/c4b83f

Listed as an adult book, so not all images may be appropriate, but could have some valuable visuals that students could see what life as a soldier was really like.  

 

The American Revolution, by Steve Sheinkin

http://tinyurl.com/ct5rgq

Presented in a fun way for kids and gives good information with more detail than most textbooks.  Good reviews from academics and teachers alike.

 

The American Revolution for Kids: A History with 21 Activities, by Janis Herbert.

http://tinyurl.com/dkmxbh

Chronologically highlights colonists' struggle for independence beginning with rebellions against taxation.   

The book also includes activities that can be done in a classroom setting that will give students broader understanding of the era.  Gr 5-8 

 

 

DVD/CD-ROM RESOURCES

 

The American Revolution for Students (DVD)

http://tinyurl.com/c6d52d 

One DVD is entitled "Causes of Revolution" and shows the evolution of the war.  Though it may be too much to watch all of it, there might be some good sections that bring to life some of the motivations of both sides for engaging in war.   

      "An artful mix of live-action reenactments, captioned images (photos, historical prints, documents,  maps) with camera movement, and brief commentary traces the struggle for power between Great  Britain and the American colonies."

 

Liberty! the American Revolution.  (VHS/DVD)

http://tinyurl.com/dzd8xy

A PBS documentary that chrornicles the events of the revolution uses dramatic reenactments to bring to life the story of the nation's founding. The Peabody award-winning series has lots of teacher resources designed for K-12 teachers.  http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty/teachers.html  Once again, definitely too much in its entirety but there are probably some good sections on the motivations of each side.  For example, the first lesson is called "Reluctant Revolutionaries" and "examine(s) why colonists, many of whom felt strong loyalties to the British Empire, decided to abandon their mother country and join the Revolution."   

The series can be purchased online from PBS, although there is a VHS copy available from WCLS. 

 

Multi-media Collections for US History

http://tinyurl.com/coqtyn 

CD-ROMs, designed for Grades 4-8.  The one on the "American  Revolution" might a useful resource for illustrations, video clips or documents on the causes of the war that are visual and accessible to students. No reviews but might be a nice addition for use by students on their final project.

 

Liberty's kids [videorecording] : the complete series / DIC Entertainment Corp. 2002

http://tinyurl.com/cwktcc

Though doesn't have specifically anything on the motivations for each side, I thought you might just want to be aware of this resource.  It is in the WCLS library. 

 

 

ONLINE RESOURCES

 

History Resource Center: database available on WCLS website.  

Loyalists

http://tinyurl.com/d3vw9l

There is tons of information on this database on the American Revolution.  However, most of the reading level is high school level.  I included this article because it was more simply written and discussed the Loyalist perspective in detail.  There are detailed bibliographies and links to other related resources at the end of each article.  

 

You Decide Lesson Plan  by Kathy Velasco

I found this lesson plan written by a teacher from New York which fits your topic exactly.  

 

An Old Scourge, Piracy, Is New Again

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103691069

NPR story about piracy in colonial times and today. 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL RESOURCES

 

National Council for Social Studies   

http://www.socialstudies.org

The mission of National Council for the Social Studies is to provide leadership, service, and support for all social studies educators.  They publish a quarterly magazine called "Social Studies for Young Learners" which targets elementary school teachers.  They have some fabulous publications and resources, all of which are well researched and reviewed.  Under "Classroom  Resources" there are tabs for "Teaching with Documents" , "Lessons" and "Notable Tradebooks for Young People".  Access to sites are for members, which is a fee of $59.00.  You might choose membership fee to be paid for through the grant money. 

 

Social Studies Services: a catalogue of Social Studies materials designed for classroom use.  http://www.socialstudies.com/

 

National Archives   

http://archives.gov/research/american-revolution/pictures/

 A great source for art from the era and primary documents. You may wish to look up other key documents by searching on the home page.   

 

Facing the Future        

http://www.facingthefuture.org

Gates Foundation funded curriculum "think tank" that designs curriculum for classroom use based on issues of sustainability.  May be good for use with other CBAs. 

 

History Link       

http://www.historylink.org/

A free on-line encyclopedia of Washington State History that is also accessible through the WCLS website.  Has a fantastic database of biographies, photos, slideshows, interactive "cybertours" and essays about the people and places in Washington's history.   

 

Not on the list but here is more if you are interested:

Discovery Channel has a number of videos including one that lists "causes" of the revolution on its site.  However, I previewed the video which seemed very generalized not very dynamically produced.  I also looked at the accompanying teacher resources which seemed thin and limited.  If you want to check it out see:  http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/revwar1/