American Revolution

Activities, Lesson Plans, and More

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• Activities, Lesson Plans, and More
• General American Revolution Resources
• Boston Massacre
• Declaration of Independence
• Treaty of Paris
• Historic Places

General American Revolution Resources

The Museum of the American Revolution  (Y,M,O,T)
The Museum of the American Revolution, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, hosts a large online collection of artifacts, documents, digital exhibitions, interactive educational materials, virtual tours, lessons, and other resources for learning about the American Revolution.

Concord Museum  (Y,M,O,T)
The Concord Museum in Concord, Massachusetts, is home to a large collection of artifacts, digital exhibitions, and educational resources related to the history of the town, the American Revolution, and colonial America. Some of the digital resources you can explore include a virtual tour of Paul Revere's ride, a virtual exhibition on April 19, 1775, photographs of Paul Revere's lantern, and more.

April 19, 1775: Lexington, Concord, and Beyond  (M,O,T)
A resource guide form the Boston Public Library that includes primary resources related to the events leading up to, during, and after the battles of Lexington and Concord. Inside, you can find maps, letters, military correspondence, and other resources.

The Coming of the American Revolution: 1764 to 1776  (M,O,T)
This resource guide from the Massachusetts Historical Society includes explainer articles of events leading to the American Revolution, including the Sugar Act, the Stamp Act, the Formation of the Sons of Liberty, the Townshend Act, and more. Also included are lesson plans, activities, worksheets, and links to other online resources.

The American Revolution Institute  (Y,M,O,T)
The American Revolution Institute in Washington, D.C., has a massive online collection of artifacts and primary source documents, educational videos, lesson plans, and other educational resources.

Williamsburg Special Events for Homeschoolers  (Y,M,O,T)
Visit the historic sites of the American Revolution in Williamsburg on special homeschool days. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation website also has numerous educational resources, including virtual tours, an online museum collection, digital exhibits, interactives, and more.

Interactive Timeline: The American Revolution  (Y,M,O,T)
This interactive timeline by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History starts with the Treaty of Paris in 1763 and ends in 1783. The timeline includes numerous primary source documents, photos, videos, and other resources to explore along the way.

American Battlefield Trust: Revolutionary War Resources  (M,O,T)
American Battlefield Trust is a great resource for learning about the American Revolution. In addition to hundreds of articles, you can find overviews of specific battles, a large database of primary source documents, biographies of Revolutionary War figures, interactive maps, videos, and other resources.

Mapping Boston and the American Revolution  (M,O,T)
A map-based activity from the Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library that has students evaluate historic maps of Boston and identify how the city’s geography contributed to the American Revolution. For grades 4-8.

Complete Unit Guide: 30 Days of Revolutionary Lesson Plans  (M,T)
This unit study from Mr. Roughton’s Teach with Magic website includes 30 days worth of lessons and activities for learning about everything from the Boston Massacre and Battles of Lexington and Concord to the responsibilities of citizenship and the purpose of government. For grade 8.

Valley Forge and George Washington  (M,O,T)
Learn the story of Valley Forge and about George Washington's unmatched leadership abilities in this collection of articles and transcripts from USHistory.org.

History Place: American Revolution  (Y,M,O,T)
The History Place has a detailed timeline of events leading up to, during, and following the American Revolutionary War. Timelines are divided into the following subtopics: Explorations and Early Colonial Era, the English Colonial Era, Prelude to the American Revolution, the American War for Independence, and a New Nation is Born.

1756-1776: The Seven Years War to the American Revolution  (M,O)
Tax History Museum provides a detailed overview of major events from 1756 – 1776, leading up to the Revolutionary War.

Voices of the American Revolution  (O,T)
Students use primary sources to learn about how a variety of people viewed the politics leading up to the American Revolution. From EDSITEment (National Endowment for the Humanities) for grades 9-12.

Appleseed Project  (M,O,T)
The Appleseed Project is a one of a kind, national program, that teaches traditional rifle marksmanship skills as well as sharing history of the people and events that surround April 19th, 1775, the day the shot was heard around the world in Lexington and Concord.

The Revolutionary War and Children's Literature  (Y,M,T)
This activity from CarolHurst.com has students explore events to understand the feelings between the American Colonists and Britain. For grades 3-8.

George Washington Resources  (Y,M,O,T)
A teacher resource guide from the Smithsonian Institute for studying George Washington and his impact on the formation of the United States.

Boston Massacre

History.com: Boston Massacre  (Y,M,O)
Discover articles and videos dissecting the Boston Massacre's causes, consequences, and its significance as a catalyst for the American Revolution.

Boston Massacre Historical Society Resources  (M,O,T)
The Boston Massacre was the killing of five colonists by British regulars on March 5, 1770. It was the culmination of tensions in the American colonies that had been growing since Royal troops first appeared in Massachusetts in October 1768 to enforce the heavy tax burden imposed by the Townshend Acts.

Boston Massacre Trials  (M,O,T)
A large collection of primary sources and accounts detailing the events of the Boston Massacre trial on Famous-Trials.com, the Web's largest and most visited collection of original essays, trial transcripts and exhibits, maps, images, and other materials relating to the greatest trials in world history.

John Adams and the Boston Massacre Trial of 1770  (M,O)
Before he was President, John Adams served as legal counsel for the defense in the trial of eight British soldiers accused of murder during the Boston Massacre. This collection of primary sources from the Library of Congress includes reports and transcripts of the court proceedings.

Perspectives on the Boston Massacre  (M,O,T)
Perspectives on the Boston Massacre is a digital feature by the Massachusetts Historical Society that illustrates the public perception and various perspectives on the Boston Massacre using primary sources, including newspaper accounts, broadsides, letters, diary entries, pamphlets, printed depositions, orations, trial notes, and even bullets.

Lesson: Comparing Depictions of the Boston Massacre  (Y,M,T)
In this lesson plan from Docs Teach, students will analyze artwork portraying the Boston Massacre, exploring how different depictions can shape historical perspectives and narratives. For grades 4-8.

Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence  (Y,M,O,T)
Two printed copies of the Declaration of Independence and Thomas Jefferson’s rough draft on the Library of Congress. Also included are links to related external websites, and a print bibliography.

Charters of Freedom  (Y,M,O,T)
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are collectively known as the Charters of Freedom. You can learn more about each document and find a full-transcript online on the National Archives website.

Declaring Independence: Drafting the Documents  (Y,M,O,T)
A digital exhibition by the Library of Congress that takes look at the drafting documents to the Declaration of Independence.

Declaration of Independence  (Y,M,O,T)
From USHistory.org. This site showcases information about the signers of the Declaration, its history, and an online version of the Declaration for students to read.

The Declaration of Independence  (Y,M,O,T)
A full-text transcript of the Declaration of Independence from HistoryPlace.com

Treaty of Paris

History.com: Treaty of Paris (1783)  (Y,M,O)
History.com has an in-depth overview of the Treaty that ended the American Revolution. It reviews the peace negotiations, terms of the Treaty, and the Northwest Territory. Includes videos and links to related topics.

Treaty of Paris: Primary Documents in American History  (M,O,T)
“Treaty of Paris: Primary Documents in American History” is a digital collection of primary sources from the Library of Congress that includes the Treaty, drafts, and related documents. It also includes numerous links to additional resources, including primary sources, learning guides, digital exhibitions, and articles.

Treaty of Paris (1783)  (M,O)
The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, between the American colonies and Great Britain, ended the American Revolution and formally recognized the United States as an independent nation. A photo of the document and a full-text transcript are available on the National Archives.

Video History Brief: The Treaty of Paris 1783  (Y,M,O)
This video, from Reading Through History on YouTube, provides a brief explanation of the Treaty and the terms of its agreement.

Lesson: 1783 Treaty of Paris  (M,O,T)
In this video lesson from C-Span, “students will view videos to hear the various proposals that were presented to resolve issues surrounding the conflict and learn the provisions that were included in the final agreement that was signed between Britain and the United States.” For middle school and high school students.

Lesson: The Original 13 Colonies & All the Rest of That Land  (Y,M,T)
In addition to ending the American Revolution, the Treaty of Paris 1783 also created boundaries in North America between British North America, which would later become Canada, and the US. In this lesson plan from Kentucky YMCA Youth Association, students will learn about the distribution of land and how it led to the creation of new states.

Historic Places

The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail  (Y,M,O,T)
It recognizes the Revolutionary War Overmountain Men, Patriots from what is now East Tennessee who crossed the Great Smoky Mountains and then fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain in South Carolina. The National Parks Service website offers historical information and educational resources for those who cannot visit in person.

Independence National Historical Park  (Y,M,O,T)
Independence Hall is the assembly hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The Liberty Bell is located there as well. The National Parks Service website offers historical information and educational resources for those who cannot visit in person.

Longfellow National Historic Site  (Y,M,O,T)
Longfellow National Historic Site is the home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, one of the world's foremost 19th century poets. The house also served as headquarters for General George Washington during the Siege of Boston, July 1775 - April 1776. The National Parks Service website offers historical information and educational resources for those who cannot visit in person.