Lesson Plan- Spirit of '76

TEACHING MATERIALS:
Lesson from the Patriots: Teacher’s Guide
THE CRUCIAL YEAR, 1776- class set
THE SPIRIT OF ‘ 76- class set

INSTURCTIONAL MATERIALS
15. Decide how to present background information on the colonies
16. THE SPIRIT OF ‘ 76 provides a brief sketch of life and culture in the colonies.
a. Distribute the essay and read aloud as a class, in Tavern Groups or as individuals.
b. Conduct a class discussion of information in the essay:
i. What was life like for the colonists
ii. How colonists reacted to events
iii. How colonists reacted to the Spirit of ‘76
iv. How students feel about life during such turbulent times
17. THE CRUCIAL YEAR, 1776 is the form of a letter, a refreshing change of format for the presentation of factual material. This fictional letter summarizes the political and military events immediately preceding the convening of the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia
a. Select four or five students to read the letter aloud, taking turns with each paragraph.
b. Conduct a class discussion of information in the letter. Include to following points, plus any others that you or your students believe are important:
i. How Abel felt being an eyewitness to such momentous events
ii. How the Grant family reacted when the returned to the tremendous changes in attitudes among other colonists
iii. Do students think the events described in the letter are more exciting or more frightening?

EVALUATION:
Can the students recall the events and the lifestyle of the year 1776.
Are the students able to examine the political and military events immediately preceding the convening of the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia.

Teacher: Are the directions clear? How much time is this taking? Are the student just sitting there and not getting? How could this be taught differently? Is there anything I need to change?