Using a T-Chart to compare and contrast two opposing sides or viewpoints is a useful tool to enhance students' understanding. Going further and including visuals helps students to better understand and remember the details of the opposing perspectives. In this activity, students will create a t-chart that compares and contrasts the viewpoints of the Patriots and Loyalists.
Teachers may wish for students to work together on this lesson which is possible with Storyboard That's Real Time Collaboration feature! With Real Time Collaboration, students can work on the same storyboard at the same time which is perfect for this lesson! As teachers know, collaborating on assignments allows students to think on a deeper level while increasing their communication and problem-solving skills. Collaboration can also help cut down on the time it takes to complete a storyboard. While there is no set limit to the number of users who can work on a storyboard at once, we recommend five users or fewer for optimal performance. All of our assignments default to individual. To make this lesson collaborative, teachers must enable collaboration for the assignment within the "Edit Assignment" tab.
When learning about the American Revolution, students may need teachers to provide a variety of resources. The use of diverse resources such as primary sources, videos, readings from textbooks, encyclopedias and literature can be helpful for students to gain an accurate and complete picture of the time period. Students can use graphic organizers with columns to write notes about the Loyalists and the Patriots differing viewpoints, logic, rationale, and perspectives as well as famous or notable people for each category.
A worthwhile extension is for students to use these as a guide to hold their own Patriots v. Loyalists classroom debate. Students can be divided into two equal groups. They can have time in advance to share and discuss their arguments. Students can then take turns speaking and voicing their arguments during the debate. The side with the most original arguments wins!
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a T-Chart of opposing viewpoints during the American Revolution. Include at least 5 arguments for EACH side, the Patriots and the Loyalists.
Student Instructions:
Requirements:
Capture students’ interest by starting your unit with a lively introduction. Set the stage for comparing Patriots and Loyalists by presenting a short video, reading a dramatic excerpt, or displaying an intriguing artifact. This approach sparks curiosity and builds background knowledge before diving into deeper analysis.
Activate prior knowledge by asking students to share what they think they know about the Patriots and Loyalists. Record their ideas on the board or on sticky notes. This helps you gauge understanding and address misconceptions early.
Encourage collaboration by dividing students into small groups and giving them open-ended questions about the motivations and beliefs of each side. Support deeper thinking as students discuss and record their ideas, preparing them to compare viewpoints more effectively.
Help students organize information by distributing simple T-charts or Venn diagrams. Guide students to jot down key facts, arguments, and notable figures for the Patriots and Loyalists as they learn. This structure makes comparisons clearer and supports all learners.
Check for understanding at the end of the lesson by asking each student to write one new thing they learned about each side. Use their responses to inform your next lesson and celebrate their discoveries!
A T-chart is a simple graphic organizer with two columns used to compare and contrast two topics. In this lesson, it helps students clearly see the differing viewpoints, logic, and key figures of Patriots and Loyalists during the American Revolution.
Students can use Storyboard That's Real Time Collaboration feature to work together on the same T-chart. Teachers just need to enable collaboration in the 'Edit Assignment' tab, allowing students to share ideas and create the T-chart as a team.
Patriots supported independence from Britain, while Loyalists wanted to remain under British rule. They had different reasons, values, and notable supporters, which students can organize and analyze with a T-chart.
Helpful resources include primary sources, videos, textbooks, encyclopedias, and literature. Using a variety of materials gives students a balanced view of both Patriots and Loyalists.
Teachers can encourage collaboration, use visuals in T-charts, and organize classroom debates. These strategies boost understanding, critical thinking, and engagement with the topic.