American+Revolution-+8th+Grade

Bret McGraw 8th Grade U.S. History

American Revolution Project

The nonfiction books and the websites that I chose for the American Revolution Unit for my 8th graders will be used for a research project. Students will need to use a combination of print and online resources as they conduct their research project. As a class we will talk about the major pieces of the Revolutionary timeline (people, events, etc.) but the students will independently seek out more in depth knowledge about their topic.

The books that have been chosen to cover a variety of reading levels ensuring that all students will be able to be matched with a book/topic that matches their reading level. The goal of the project is to become more familiar with a particular aspect of the Revolution and share that new knowledge with the rest of the class. This can be done a variety of ways like a short skit where they might recreate a scene from an event they read about. Students are encouraged to choose a book/topic of interest but try and venture out to a topic they have not already learned a lot about.

__Books__ 1. //Paul Revere and Minutemen of the American Revolution// (2002). A color-illustrated look at the life of Paul Revere, describing his childhood in Boston, his career as a silversmith, his midnight ride, and his years as a businessman after the Revolutionary War. AR Reading level: 8.6.

2. //Key Battles of the American Revolution, 1776-1778.// (2006). Presents an examination of the important battles of the American Revolutionary War, from 1776-1778, covering the victories and defeats of the Continental Army through these years of struggle for independence. AR Reading level: 7.8.

3. //Come All You Brave Soldiers: Blacks in the Revolutionary War.// (1999). Tells the story of the thousands of African-American men who served as soldiers fighting for independence from England during the American Revolutionary War. AR Reading level: 8.9.

4. //Traitor, the Case of Benedict Arnold.// (1981). A study of the life and character of the brilliant Revolutionary War general who deserted to the British for money. AR book level: 7.5.

5. //Molly Pitcher: Young American Patriot.// (2006). Presents the legend of Revolutionary War heroine Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley, better known as Molly Pitcher, in graphic novel format, describing her bravery in the Battle of Monmouth. AR Reading Level: 3.7.

6. Life of a Soldier in Washington's Army. (2003). Discusses the training, organization, diversity, fighting and survival skills, daily routine, diseases, fears, and morale of the first army of the United States. AR Reading level: 9.1.

7. //George Washington, Spymaster: How the Americans Outspied the British and Won the Revolutionary War. (2004).// Examines how George Washington used espionage during the American Revolutionary War, discussing the Culper Ring, the Sons of Liberty, codes, ciphers, and more. Includes illustrations. AR Reading Level: 7.9.

8. //Benjamin Franklin: Scientist, Inventor, Printer, Statesman.// (2006). Tells the life story of American statesman, inventor, and author Benjamin Franklin, describing his youth in Boston; his accomplishments in many fields, from science to journalism to politics; and his significance in U.S. history. AR Reading Level: 6.5.

9. //John Paul Jones and the American Navy.//(2002). Examines the life and times of American patriot John Paul Jones, and discusses his role as a Navy captain during the Revolutionary War. Reading Level: 8.6.

10. //George vs. George: the American Revolution as Seen From Both Sides//. (2004). Explores how the characters and lives of King George III of England and George Washington affected the progress and outcome of the American Revolution. Reading Level: 7.5.

11. Fradin, D. B., & McCurdy, M. (2002). // The signers: The 56 stories behind the Declaration of Independence //. New York: Walker & Co. This book gives the stories of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence and what brought them together. Lexile: 1010.

__Websites __ 1. http://research.history.org/pf/ At this website students will learn more about the history of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution.

2. http://www.kidinfo.com/American_History/American_Revolution.html Students will learn about the History of the American Revolutionary War, American Revolutionary War Trivia, Revolutionary War Battle Facts, and the Key People, Places and Documents Important to the American Revolutionary War on KidInfo.com's History of the American Revolutionary War Resource Page.

3. http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty/chronicle.html These newspaper Chronicles let you experience first-hand the excitement and uncertainty of the American Revolution as it happened.

4, http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/revolut/jb_revolut_subj.html This website gives information about the most important events of the American Revolution.

5, http://web.b.ebscohost.com/src/search?sid=c18f5c86-138d-4419-bf2b-4a6fb00ab66f%40sessionmgr114&vid=0&hid=109 <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">History Reference Center is a great resource for a project like this. Students can access a wide variety of resources, including primary documents.