Objectives
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-To have the students learn about the Revolutionary War through literature.
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-To provide students with reading and research materials on the Revolutionary War and the role that women played during that time period.
Revolutionary Women of Interest
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Abigail Adams (1744-1818): Abigail Adams played an important role in the idea of women’s rights and roles in our country.
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Eliza Lucas Pinckney (1722-1793): Agriculturist and progressive leader in childhood education.
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Deborah Sampson (1760-1827): The first known American women to impersonate a man in order join the army and participate in combat.
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Phyllis Wheatly (1753-1784 ): A slave whose poetry became widespread, hence becoming America’s first Black poet.
Have the students create a timeline depicting when these women appeared in Revolutionary War times.
Have the students write a brief biographical sketch on each of the women previously listed.
Historical Novels on the Revolutionary War
Duey, Kathleen.
Mary Alice Peale Philadelphia,1977
American Diaries. This is the story of a young girl who helps her wounded brother who has joined General Washington’s Continental Army.
Gregory, Kristina.
The Winter of Red Snow , The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart. Valley Forge, Pennsylvania,1977
. Dear America. This is the story of a young girl living in Valley Forge, while General Washington was there.
Related Questions and Evaluation of Novels
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What were some of the changes that Abigail and Mary felt during the Revolutionary War?
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How did the war affect their families?
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What were some of the activities that the girls did during the war?
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What were the beliefs of the Loyalists?
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What were the beliefs of the Continental Army?
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Where did the two stories take place?
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What similarities did the girls lives have?
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What were some of the differences in their lives?
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How were their lives similar to yours?
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What did you learn about the Revolutionary War by reading these books?
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Would you recommend either of these books to a friend and why?
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Have the students answer and discuss the above questions.
Writing Prompt
Describe a day in the life of Deborah Sampson.
Additional Suggested Reading
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Collier, James Lincoln, and Collier, Christopher .
War Comes to Willy Freeman
. The story of a 13 year black girl in Connecticut during the Revolutionary War.
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Brady, Ester Wood.
Toliver’s Secret
. A young girl acts as a patriot spy after her grandfather is injured.
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O’Dell, Scott.
Sarah Bishop
. The story of a young girl whose father and brother are killed during the Revolutionary War.
Made in America
During the Revolutionary war many of the colonists boycotted items made in England. Have the students create a graph depicting where a variety of items they use everyday are made. What effect would a boycott of these goods have on our lives today?
Field Trip
The New Haven Colony Historical Society
The Pardee-Morris House
325 Light House Road
New Haven, CT. (203) 562-4103
The Pardee-Morris house was built in 1685 and was burned down during the British Invasion of New Haven in 1779. The house a been restored to represent that time period. Classes can be taken to the Pardee-Morris house by contacting the Educational programmer at the New Haven Colonial Historical Society.
The Historical Society also offers a slide presentation on the Revolutionary War.