Lots of Learning

     Teaching about the American Revolution isn't necessarily in the fourth grade MA frameworks, so I decided to focus on the standards of historical empathy and perspective.  We are working toward our culminating activity which includes a re-enactment of what happened at the Battles of Lexington and Concord, as well as writing a letter from the perspective of a British Regular.
     To provide students with an introduction to the American Revolution, we began with a simple brainstorm chart, much like a K-W-L chart.  We started writing things down that related to this time period and then categorized them into People, Places, and Things.  Students debated with each other the accuracy of some statements, so we worked together to find the "truths." 
     I just finished reading My Brother Sam is Dead to my class. They loved it and couldn't wait to continue each day. Throughout the story, we reviewed the different perspectives of characters and discussed reasons why each character felt they way they did.  In addition, we completed journal entries answering the question, "If you lived in 1775, would you consider yourself a Loyalist or a Patriot?  Why?" 
     I found a great cartoon series from PBS called Liberty's Kids.  There is a website, but I found the series on Netflix and could watch it instantly in my classroom on our projector.  We watched the first episode on Friday-The Boston Tea Party.  Although time doesn't allow for us to watch the entire series in school, we'll watch "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" and "The Battle of Lexington and Concord" next week.
    On Monday, students are looking forward to a re-enactor visiting our class to talk about life in 1775.