OVERVIEW OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION ACADEMIC CLUB
The American Revolution Club is set in Colonial America, and the curriculum focuses on early American settlements, building chronologically to the War of 1812. Students become historical characters who represent the multiple experiences and perspectives of early American life during the founding of the United States. The views include Native Americans, European explorers, enslaved Africans, indentured servants, merchants, settlers, political figures, and soldiers. Hands-on multi-sensory projects support each child’s understanding of this dynamic part of American history.
FRAMEWORK OF THE YEAR IN AMERICAN REVOLUTION
After a long, arduous journey across the ocean, the class explores the first English settlements. Interactive discussion is critical to the lessons. Various techniques are used to study this period. Students build miniature models of Jamestown, learning how difficult it was to live during this period and in the years to come. Students must repay the Virginia London Company for sending them to the New World with items such as cotton, lumber, etc., which they had to find a way to trade with each other.
Students also learn about the Mayflower and the Pilgrims. They develop their own Mayflower Compact to keep order in the classroom. The students then studied the Salem Witch Trials and reenacted them. Students become very aware of how different life was back then compared to now. They advertised indentured servants and became familiar with the Atlantic slave trade. For students to learn about the 13 colonies, they must create and build their territory to include a governor, council, resources, laws, religion, etc.
The class emphasizes the experience of living in colonial times and what it was like for the various groups of people. The students have to engage in some of the typical work of that period, including candle making and weaving. There are also some colonial-themed games to supplement activities.
The class studies the American Revolutionary War and the events that led up to it. There are mini-reenactments of some of the significant, influential events from that period. Some considerable themes include The French and Indian War, The Stamp Act, The Sugar Act, The Intolerable Acts, The Townshend Act, the Quartering Act, the Boston Massacre, and The Boston Tea Party. They complete many projects and activities to help them retain this information. Some activities include making stamps to stamp on documents and charging teachers taxes. The class also discusses Patriots versus Loyalists, emphasizing Patrick Henry’s speech.
A significant part of the spring focuses on the war itself. Students experience the hardships of the Continental Army and the British Army. They start with a reenactment of Lexington and Concord and Paul Revere and Sybil Ludington’s famous rides. Following this, they reenact Valley Forge, Yorktown, etc. They explore the motivation for African Americans and the French to join the war. Many hands-on activities are also incorporated into the lessons, such as signing the Declaration of Independence, stitching Betsy Ross’s flag, and becoming spies for the Continental Army.
The last part of the curriculum focuses on westward expansion. Students learn about Thomas Jefferson, Sacagawea, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and The Louisiana Purchase. The year finishes with students learning about the War of 1812, including reenactments such as mock battles and Dolly Madison’s famous run from the White House.
