Examining Our History: American Revolution

Lesson 1
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ELA

Unit 4

4th Grade

Lesson 1 of 24

Objective


Defend if the actions of the French and Indian War support the idea that America was the land of liberty.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Liberty! How the Revolutionary War Began by Lucille Recht Penner  pp. 1 – 5

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

On page 3, the author says, “America was the land of liberty.” Do the actions of the French and Indian War on pages 4 and 5 support this statement? Why or why not?

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • Why did people leave England? 

  • Explain the significance of the Liberty Tree. How does the illustration help a reader better understand the importance of the Liberty Tree?

  • Why did the author title the section "Help!"? Who needed help?

  • The author states, "Finally, the Indians struck back." Were their actions justifiable? Why or why not? 

  • How did the English colonists get the help they needed? Why?

  • How did the colonists feel at the end of the French and Indian War? Why?

Exit Ticket

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Vocabulary


allies

n.

(p. 4)

countries, groups, or people that support one another

possessions

n.

(p. 4)

the things that you own

liberty

n.

(p. 3)

freedom

Notes


Liberty! How the Revolutionary War Began consistently refers to the colonies as "America" long before "America" was declared a nation by the Continental Congress in 1776. Explain this inconsistency to students. Tell students that they should refer to "the colonies" in discussion and written answers since the unit focuses on the events leading up to the war when America was not yet a nation.

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Common Core Standards


  • RI.4.3 — Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.

Supporting Standards

L.4.4
RF.4.3
RF.4.4
RI.4.1
RI.4.4
RI.4.10
SL.4.1
W.4.10
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Lesson 2

Lesson Map

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