Mr Maher's List: 5th Grade Unit 3 - American Revolution

You may not believe that 5th graders can make it through the text of the Declaration of Independence. But this lesson, written for 4th grade students in Montgomery County Maryland, proves that it is possible.

In this lesson students will explore the Declaration of Independence. They will observe the primary source document and record observations. The students will also interpret the text of the Declaration of Independence.

This lesson includes teacher background and the text of questions that can be asked of students while interpreting the documents

This lesson is deceptively simple. Students compare the iconic painting and primary source record. Very important for visual literacy. If you have time, you can reference David Hacket Fischer's book. Be sure to image search to show the painting hanging in the MET. The size of painting must be considered. It's 21 feet long and 12 feet high!

Students are to compare two documents: A Primary source (News of the American Victory at Trenton) and a Secondary Source (Washington Crossing the Delaware, 1851). Students will examine both to see that the artistic representation is not accurate.

In this three-day lesson from Unveiling History, students analyze primary sources to show the different reactions colonists had to these new taxes and laws. Even if you can't dedicate three days to a lesson like this, you can use any one of the days and still provide students with a valuable experience in deciphering primary source documents.

Unlike many other lessons found on the web, this lesson has everything you need. There is an easy-to-follow step by step guide, hand-outs to guide students through historical analysis and even questions for you to ask in class.

How about viewing the Revolution from the eyes of African Americans who had to decide whether to support eh British or the Patriots?  At first brush this seems to be to advanced for 5th graders, but in look though the documents you'll see that it's possible.  Look at the exit card first, they can do this.


In this session students deepen their understandings of the growing tensions between the colonists and British government by comparing the views of a variety of enslaved African Americans on the conflict with Britain. They will learn about African Americans who fought for the Crown, as well as the Patriot cause. They will examine different reasons why an African American would choose either side and will consider the consequences for their choice.

The first game in a planned series, Mission 1: "For Crown or Colony?" explores the reasons for Revolution through the eyes of both Loyalists and Patriots in 1770 Boston.