American Revolution | Small Group
In this small-group lesson, Grade 1 students will learn that the American Revolution was a time when people in America wanted change and worked together to become independent. Students will explore a few important people, places, and ideas in simple, age-appropriate terms.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Revolution | A big change that people worked for. |
| Colonies | Places in America that were ruled by England. |
| King | A ruler of a country. |
| Independence | Being able to make your own choices and govern yourself. |
| Soldier | A person who helps in a war. |
Show a picture of a colonist and ask, 'What do you notice?' Explain that long ago, people in America lived in colonies and wanted some changes.
Look at the picture, share observations, and answer simple questions.
Use picture cards to tell a short story: America was made of colonies, people did not like all the rules from the king, and they worked together for independence. Point to the map and show that the colonies were in North America.
Listen, point to the map, and repeat key words with the teacher.
Ask students to sort picture cards into 'people' and 'places' or match a picture to a word. Support students as they explain one card in their own words.
Match cards, say the vocabulary words, and answer yes/no or either/or questions.
Give each student a drawing paper and ask them to draw one thing from the lesson, such as a colonist, a soldier, the king, or a colony.
Draw and label or dictate one word about their picture.
Invite each student to share their drawing. Restate the main idea: people in the American colonies wanted change and independence.
Share their work and listen to classmates.
Review the lesson with three quick questions: 'What was the time period called?', 'Who ruled the colonies?', and 'What did people want?'. End by saying that the American Revolution was a time when people worked for change and independence.
Students will be assessed through observation during sorting, oral responses during discussion, and their drawing/share-out for understanding of the main idea and vocabulary.
Ask students to teach a family member one vocabulary word from the lesson and draw a picture of it at home.