Activity Overview
To provide better context of bigger thematic ideas like patriotism, nationalism, and the Americans’ belief in the preservation of civil liberties and human rights, look at the people who made it happen. A great way to track key influential people of the American Revolution is through the use of a storyboard that details and explains the major figures that took part in the war.
Students will explain and analyze who they were, their roles, and the significance of their actions. This activity will also enable students to research initial American founding fathers and expand on ones they may have already seen in the events leading up to the American Revolution itself.
Key Figures of the American Revolution
- George Washington
- Thomas Paine
- Nathanael Greene
- Benedict Arnold
- Horatio Gates
- Marquis de Lafayette
For an alternative to this activity, students can go more in depth on one or two of these figures by creating a biography poster describing the person, their ideologies, and their contributions to the Revolution. More than one template can be added to an assignment to provide students with different options, and you can adjust the instructions accordingly!
Extended Activity
Students can research present-day leaders, including military leaders, the President of the United States, and other leaders in the government. Students should try to look for connections between actions, beliefs, and how current American leaders embody (or do not embody) ideas and ideologies such as independence, patriotism, and the founding ideas of democracy.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that introduces the major figures of the American Revolution and details their beliefs and actions.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In each title, identify a different key figure.
- Describe their ideologies and actions.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
How to Assess Biographical Profiles for Historical Understanding
American Revolution - Key Figures of the American Revolution
Begin the lesson by introducing students to the assessment criteria for evaluating biographical profiles for historical understanding. Explain that they will be learning how to assess the completeness, accuracy, and depth of biographical profiles.
American Revolution - Key Figures of the American Revolution
Guide students in a discussion and analysis of the assessment criteria: Completeness: Discuss what makes a biographical profile complete, including the inclusion of key life events, contributions, and historical context. Provide examples of thorough and incomplete profiles. Accuracy: Emphasize the importance of accurate historical facts and details. Discuss how students can verify the accuracy of their sources and information. Depth: Explore the concept of depth in biographical profiles, including the depth of analysis, insights, and connections made to the historical context. Show examples of profiles with varying levels of depth.
Applying Assessment Criteria
Engage students in applying the assessment criteria to evaluate sample biographical profiles: Provide Sample Profiles: Distribute or display sample biographical profiles of historical figures, some meeting the criteria effectively and others with room for improvement. Group Assessment: Divide students into small groups and assign each group a sample profile to evaluate using the assessment criteria. Group Discussion: Encourage group discussions where students share their evaluations and discuss what aspects of the profiles met the criteria and what could be enhanced.
Self-Assessment and Peer Review
Conclude the lesson by having students engage in self-assessment and peer review: Self-Assessment: Ask students to revisit their own biographical profiles of historical figures and use the assessment criteria to evaluate their work objectively. Peer Review: Pair students to exchange their profiles and provide constructive feedback to each other based on the assessment criteria. Reflection: Facilitate a class discussion where students reflect on the assessment process, share insights gained, and discuss how they can apply the criteria to improve their future biographical profiles.
Frequently Asked Questions about Key Figures of the American Revolution
How can storyboards be effectively used to visually depict the lives and contributions of key figures of the American Revolution in a way that engages students and enhances their understanding?
Storyboards are powerful tools for engaging students and conveying the lives and contributions of key figures of the American Revolution. They can be used to create visual narratives that showcase the pivotal moments and achievements of these figures. By combining images, captions, and dialogue boxes, storyboards provide a dynamic and visually stimulating way to present historical information. Moreover, they encourage students to actively engage with the material, fostering a deeper understanding of the figures' roles in the Revolution. Storyboards can be used to depict key speeches, events, and personal anecdotes, allowing students to connect on a more personal level with historical figures. This visual storytelling approach helps students retain information and appreciate the significance of these key figures in shaping American history.
What types of historical sources and materials can be incorporated into worksheets to help students gain deeper insights into the lives and legacies of key figures from the American Revolution?
Worksheets can be enriched by incorporating a variety of historical sources and materials to provide students with a comprehensive view of key figures from the American Revolution. Primary sources such as letters, diaries, speeches, and documents penned by the figures themselves offer authentic glimpses into their thoughts and motivations. Visual materials like portraits, maps, and period illustrations can provide context and help students visualize the era. Biographical accounts and secondary sources written by historians can offer deeper insights into the figures' lives and legacies. Additionally, multimedia resources like audio recordings of speeches or video reenactments can make the learning experience more immersive and engaging. By combining these diverse sources and materials, worksheets can offer students a multifaceted understanding of the key figures and their historical significance.
What impact did the writings and speeches of key figures such as Patrick Henry have on the mobilization of public support for the American Revolutionary cause?
The writings and speeches of key figures like Patrick Henry played a pivotal role in mobilizing public support for the American Revolutionary cause. Patrick Henry's famous speech with the phrase "Give me liberty or give me death!" is a prime example. Such speeches were not only powerful expressions of fervent patriotism but also persuasive arguments that galvanized public sentiment against British rule. They conveyed the urgency of the revolutionary struggle and ignited a spirit of defiance and determination among the American colonists. The impact of these writings and speeches extended beyond their immediate audiences, as they were often published and widely circulated, inspiring others to join the cause. They served as rallying cries that helped unite disparate groups in the colonies and contributed significantly to the momentum of the American Revolution, ultimately leading to independence from British rule.
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American Revolution
This Activity is Part of Many Teacher Guides
- Map of North America by George Willdey , 1715 • National Library of Scotland • License No known copyright restrictions (http://flickr.com/commons/usage/)
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