American Revolution and Colonial Life

American Revolution:

American Revolution – Information in timeline form of the events of the Revolutionary War, including descriptions.

Beyond the Battlefield – A virtual field trip to the Museum of the American Revolution, hosted by “I Survived” author Lauren Tarshis.

Boston Massacre Historical Society – The fascinating overview covers the most interesting aspects of the two landmark trials for the Captain and for the eight soldiers, the longest in Colonial history. It was the first time a judge used the phrase “reasonable doubt.” And a Medieval relic, the Benefit of Clergy, was used by two soldiers to escape the death penalty. The site includes a summary, witness testimony, John Adams’ trial speech, and the results of the trial.

LIBERTY! The American Revolution – Lesson plans, online quizzes, and materials to accompany PBS Online’s series about the American Revolution.

LIBERTY! The Road to Revolution – Online game about the path to Revolution.


Colonial Life:

Video: John Branyan – The Three Little Pigs (Shakespeare-style) – I use this video at the beginning of my 13 Colonies unit so that students can see how things may be the same topic, but language may be different. (Video – approx. 9 min.)

13 Colonies PowerPoint and Unit – A PowerPoint with Unit plan and rubrics related to the 13 Colonies.

Chart of the Original 13 Colonies – The 13 colonies can be divided into three regions: New England, Middle, and Southern colonies. The chart below provides additional information including the years of settlement and founders of each.

Classroom-Tested Lesson Plans – Interdisciplinary lesson plans for the Colonial period.

Fetch – 1627 Colonial Challenge – An animated dog sends children back in time. Dressed as colonists, the cast members abandoned their videogames and cell phones for log sawing, oven starting, jaw harping, goat tending, and lessons in colonial life. (Video – approx. 27 min.)

Mayflower Compact – A copy of the text from the Mayflower Compact.

Overview of Colonial America 1607 – 1754: The New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies – Discusses the three geographic areas: New England, Middle, and Southern, and the specific economic, social, and political developments that were unique to the regions.

Rare Maps of Colonial America – A listing of rare maps of Colonial America.

Virtual Jamestown – A digital archive of images, artifacts, maps, rare documents, censuses, and other data for teachers, researchers, genealogists, students, and the general public who want to explore the meaning of Jamestown in the American experience.


Revolutionary War Music:

18th century Music – performed at Fort Frederick, MD at the Market Fair April 29, 2011.

British Grenadiers song – with lyric annotations.

Colonial Dance – Colonial Day Performance – Collegiate School 3rd Grade – May 1st, 2009.

Fife and Drum Music of the American Revolution – produced by the Company of Military Collectors & Historians, Washington, D.C. with George P. Carroll, Director of Music — from about 1976.

Music of the American Revolution – a variety of music from the American Revolutionary War.

Old Guard Fife and Drum Corp – performing on November 11, 2010.

US Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corp – performing at Colonial Williamsburg in 2009.

Yankee Doodle – the original lyrics.