The American Revolution: The Boston Massacre, “Yankee Doodle,” and the Declaration of Independence, 1770-1776

The American Revolution: The Boston Massacre, “Yankee Doodle,” and the Declaration of Independence, 1770–1776

Lesson by Tim Bailey, Steven Schwartz, and Sandra Trenholm
Essay by Denver Brunsman, George Washington University

Grade Levels: 3–5
Number of Class Periods: 4
Primary Era: The American Revolution, 1763–1783

About This Lesson Plan Unit

In the four lessons in this unit, students will explore the Revolutionary era through three primary sources: an image of the Boston Massacre, the song “Yankee Doodle,” and the preamble to the Declaration of Independence. These primary sources provide three ways to understand how patriots cultivated popular support for the American Revolution.

Lesson Plan Authors: Tim Bailey, Steven Schwartz, and Sandra Trenholm
Historical Background Scholar: Denver Brunsman, George Washington University

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Additional Information About This Unit

Common Core State Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.1 and RI.5.1: Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.2 and RI.5.2: Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.4 and RI.5.4: Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 or 5 topic or subject area.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.9: Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1D: Review the key ideas expressed and explain their own ideas and understanding in light of the discussion.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1.D: Review the key ideas expressed and draw conclusions in light of information and knowledge gained from the discussions.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.2: Summarize a written text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.5: Include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, sound) and visual displays in presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes.

Essential Questions

What themes and ideas did patriots hope would motivate fellow colonists to join the Revolution?

What methods did patriots use to try to convince other colonists to join the cause?

Documents

Paul Revere, The Bloody Massacre Perpetrated in King-Street Boston on March 5th 1770 by
a Party of the 29th Reg., 1770

The Preamble to the Declaration of Independence

“Yankee Doodle Dandy”