Overview & Descriptions of Unit
The final product of this unit will be a timeline showing the events leading up to the Revolutionary War, as well as the battles and major events of the war.
Lesson 1 will introduce the students to the unit and paint a picture of the development of Early America. Students will learn about why settlers left England to go to America and list each of the 13 colonies, divided into each area of the country (North, Middle, South). Lesson 2 will discuss the French and Indian War and some of the Acts that the British imposed on the colonists. This lesson is important in introducing why the turmoil began and how the tone of the colonists changed from when they first settled in America. It will lead into the next lesson which will continue from the French and Indian War. Lesson 3 will require students to analyze why the French and Indian War led to turmoil. They will complete a cause and effect chart that shows major events that happened to lead to the Revolutionary War. Lesson 4 will relate the Revolutionary War to current events. The current event that students will discuss related to the was is ISIS and the war on terrorism that has been part of our current life for the past 13 years. Lesson 5 will teach all of the major battles of the Revolutionary War and the outcomes of each. Students will create a timeline as a final product of the unit. North Carolina Social Studies Essential Standards addressed by this unit: 5.H.1 Analyze the chronology of key events in the United States. 5.H.1.1 Evaluate the relationships between European explorers (French, Spanish and English) and American Indian groups, based on accuracy of historical information (beliefs, fears and leadership). 5.H.1.2 Summarize the political, economic and social aspects of colonial life in the thirteen colonies. 5.H.1.3 Analyze the impact of major conflicts, battles and wars on the development of our nation through Reconstruction. 5.H.2 Understand the role of prominent figures in shaping the United States. 5.H.2.1 Summarize the contributions of the “Founding Fathers” to the development of our country. 5.H.2.2 Explain how key historical figures have exemplified values and principles of American democracy. 5.G.1 Understand how human activity has and continues to shape the United States. 5.G.1.1 Explain the impact of the physical environment on early settlements in the New World. 5.C&G.1.3 Analyze historical documents that shaped the foundation of the United States government. 5.C.1 Understand how increased diversity resulted from migration, settlement patterns and economic development in the United States. 5.C.1.1 Analyze the change in leadership, cultures and everyday life of American Indian groups before and after European exploration. Justification for Topic
War has been a means to resolving conflict throughout the existence of humans. War is a social justice issue that dates back way before the 1700's and is still very much so present in our world today. This Social Studies unit is based on the American Revolutionary War and its fight for independence from Britain. Wars are begun for many different reasons, but all wars include causalities and different points of view. In this unit, one lesson will cover the relationship between the Revolutionary War, that occurred over 200 years ago, and a major war that is happening today. War is a social justice issue because it is a difficult part of our lives and while nobody wants to be at war, we will use it centuries later as a means of resolving conflicts and getting something monumental to change such as laws, politics, religious beliefs, and land disputes. Through this unit, I will teach students the social justice issue of war then and now.
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Connection to Citizenship Development
Through learning about crucial historical events, students will become better American citizens in this social studies class. This unit includes some of the aspects that Parker (Social Studies in Elementary Education) describes are crucial to citizen development in elementary students. This unit provides:
Deliberation: Discussion and Decision Making
Citizenship Knowledge
Citizenship Values
Students will learn to discuss what happened in the past and make decisions on how to avoid the same problems in the future. They will discuss what is currently happening with wars in today's society and make decisions on how to change this.
Students will absorb important knowledge of American history and learn how our country came to be where it is today, starting from the beginning of our country's story.
Students will learn about the values of the first American citizens and relate them to their own values. They will understand the basis of our country and the right for freedom and personal values.
Deliberation: Discussion and Decision Making
Citizenship Knowledge
Citizenship Values
Students will learn to discuss what happened in the past and make decisions on how to avoid the same problems in the future. They will discuss what is currently happening with wars in today's society and make decisions on how to change this.
Students will absorb important knowledge of American history and learn how our country came to be where it is today, starting from the beginning of our country's story.
Students will learn about the values of the first American citizens and relate them to their own values. They will understand the basis of our country and the right for freedom and personal values.