Activities, Lesson Plans, and More
- Y—Young (PreK-3rd)
- M—Middle (4th-6th)
- O—Older (7th-12th)
- T—Teacher Resources
General American Revolution Resources
The Museum of the American Revolution
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Tax History Museum provides a detailed overview of major events from 1756 – 1776, leading up to the Revolutionary War.
Voices of the American Revolution
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.
The American War for Independence
In these lessons from EDSITEment, students will use primary documents and an interactive map to learn about the diplomatic and military aspects of the American War for Independence. For grades 9-12.
Appleseed Project
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
This activity from CarolHurst.com has students explore events to understand the feelings between the American Colonists and Britain. For grades 3-8.
Liberty: The American Revolution
Liberty: The American Revolution is an educational website from PBS designed to accompany the TV series of the same name. Includes a timeline, lessons, teacher resource guides, and more.
The Road to Revolution Game
An online game about the American Revolution from PBS that quizzes students on important American Revolution events and facts. Every correct answer moves you further along the timeline to Revolution.
George Washington Resources
A teacher resource guide from the Smithsonian Institute for studying George Washington and his impact on the formation of the United States.
Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence
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
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
A digital exhibition by the Library of Congress that takes look at the drafting documents to the Declaration of Independence.
Declaration of Independence
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
A full-text transcript of the Declaration of Independence from HistoryPlace.com
Historic Places
The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail
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
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
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.