Lesson Ideas

Inquiry Tasks

• Ask students to examine the meaning of an historical "turning point" by analyzing three accounts of the Battle of Saratoga, written by Washington, Adams, and Burgoyne. Encourage students groups to create a three-way Venn diagram, noting the important similarities and differences on these accounts of the battle. What is the value of exploring different perspectives toward the same event in order to evaluate turning points? How would the outcome of the war have been different if not for the American victory at Saratoga?

• Challenge students to compare different accounts by soldiers at Valley Forge, using a SOAPS template to compare similarities of eyewitness accounts. Ask students how viewing an historic event through the eyes of someone who experienced it can help us better understand the sacrifices of patriots who fought for independence. 

• Ask students to brainstorming words and phrases associated with the concept of sacrifice. What do they think the term "sunshine patriot" might mean? Ask students to preview excerpts from Thomas Paine's The Crisis, using an Anticipation Guide provided by O.C.S.S. Why does Paine depict the war as being a time of crises? Encourage students to cite specific evidence from Paine's pamphlet that describe the sacrifices colonists were making and why such sacrifices were necessary.

• Provide students with an overview of the major military engagements of the war, using the presentation Battles and Turning Points of the American Revolution, from O.C.S.S.  Provide time for students to create an illustrated timeline of key military events (print or digital format). Ask students to explain the significance of each event and why they should be remembered. Encourage students to create historical markers to be placed at one of the battlefields, commemorating events that took place there. 

• Ask students to compare the images of continental soldiers and an illustrated book of the revolutionary hero Peter Salem. To what extent did the continental army represent a cross-section of colonial society? Encourage students to read about Black Heroes of the American Revolution and to create a Heroes Cereal box design to commemorate the contributions of African Americans in the Revolutionary War. 

• Soldiers and Civilians, an extended inquiry from the Huntington Library, challenges students to analyze a set of primary sources which reflect the contributions of everyday citizens and soldiers to the colonists' victory. Ask students to engage in major decision-playing exercises in order to fully understand the strengths and value of individuals and groups to the patriot cause. 

Primary Sources 

Secondary Sources 

• Report of Major-General Sir John Burgoyne on Bunker Hill (1775).

• Battle of Bunker Hill (1775) letter from a British marine to his brother reporting the events and impression of colonial commitment. 

• General George Washington's Report on Trenton (1776).

• Report from Major-General Burgoyne on Saratoga (1777) .

• General Washington's Letter to Congress on conditions at Valley Forge (1778). 

• Surgeon's Diary, Valley Forge (1778) provides insight into the physical health and living conditions of troops during winter encampment.

• Treaty of Alliance with France (excerpts) outlines the commitment of French military support to the Patriot cause.  

• Yorktown Surrender News Account (1781) reports details of the surrender and the celebratory sentiment of colonists. 

• Paris Peace Treaty (1783) edited version. 

• Map of Yorktown offers students a mental map of key events and forces contributing to American victory. 

• Facts About George Washington and the Revolutionary War Mount Vernon Foundation.

• History: American Revolutionary War Timeline from Duckster Education.

• The Revolutionary War, from Digital History, provides an overview of military strategies for teacher reference. 

• Yorktown Campaign, narrative for teacher reference from The American Revolution, Colonial Williamsburg. 

• Yorktown, 25-minute documentary from the Mount Vernon Foundation,