Review for the test

Tomorrow we will have a test over the American Revolution. The following formative assessment games should help you be successful. Spend some time today making sure you are familiar with the people, places, events and ideas of the time period.
If you need a textbook to study at home, check one out before class is over!

Java Games: http://www.quia.com/jg/2161412.html

Rags to Riches: http://www.quia.com/rr/756885.html

Battleship: http://www.quia.com/ba/468730.html

Challenge Board: http://www.quia.com/cb/723315.html

Pop-up: http://www.quia.com/pop/482685.html

Winter at Valley Forge

Today we look at the terrible winter at Valley Forge. While the British Army relaxed in the comfortable atmosphere of Philadelphia, among loyalists who threw parties, held ballroom dances and catered to their needs, Washington and his men camped in Valley Forge, overlooking Philadelphia. The lack of food, clothing, and other basic supplies would be appalling by today's standards. Many of the men died from the cold and lack of nourishing food. Frostbite and sickness were the norm. I'm not sure George Washington can be considered among the great tactical generals of history, but no one could have held those men together the way that he did. Not only did he keep the army together, they would be trained by Prussian drill master Friedrich von Steuben.
This training from von Steuben would help to form the army into a real fighting force.
Watch below to see what happens:

Welcome back!

Welcome back! I hope you had a great Christmas break. This week we will finish our study of the American Revolution and test on Thursday.

Below, you will find a few vocabulary activities- copy and paste each url address:

http://www.quia.com/jg/2161412.html

http://www.quia.com/rr/756885.html

http://www.quia.com/ba/468730.html

http://www.quia.com/cb/723315.html

Crossing the Delaware!

Today, George Washington makes a sneak attack on Hessian soldiers in Trenton, New Jersey. Harassed and battle weary, Washington's Continental Army has been chased through 3 colonies. Now, with the new year about to begin on January 1st, most of the soldiers will have to make a decision to re-enlist... or go home. Desperate to keep his men in the fight, Washington finds himself making an unusual move that pays off! Watch below as Washington makes his famous crossing of the Delaware:

Power of the Individual in History

The Big Idea for the day: Impact of Individuals

Enduring Understanding: Decisions and actions of individuals can influence the outcome of an event.

As we study the Revolutionary War, it is important that we recognize the contributions of individuals in winning American independence. Your assignment today should help you take a step in that direction! Read the task and follow the procedure below. You may type your assignment, or write on a piece of lined notebook paper.

Task:
Find 5 people you believe had an effect on the outcome of the American Revolution.
If you are at home today, you should pick just one person and be prepared to hand in your work tomorrow.

Procedure:
Using a textbook or computer, find 5 individuals who may have influenced the outcome of the American Revolution.
For each individual, write a description of the person, what he/she did that was important, and why you believe their action or actions made a difference.
Write a "what if this person had never lived" scenario for each individual.

Example:
Thomas Gage- Governor/General of Massachusetts. He was sent to place Massachusetts and Boston under martial law after the Boston Tea Party. Parliament instructed him to put down the growing rebellion, but his actions (attempt to capture guns at Concord) led to the death of 8, and many more wounded Colonists at the Battle of Lexington. The Battle of Lexington helped to unite Colonists against England. More than ever, they would view the British Army as an invading force.
Thomas Gage's decision to make a frontal assault at the Battle of Bunker Hill led to yet another British military disaster. Over 1,000 Redcoats were killed or wounded, convincing Americans that it was possible to successfully fight against the more experienced, better trained British soldiers.
Scenario:
If Thomas Gage had never lived, perhaps the Governor/General of Massachusetts would not have attempted to capture the guns at Concord, and the Battle of Lexington might not have happened. If the Battle of Lexington had not occurred, the Battle of Bunker Hill would not have happened, and the Colonists may have continued to believe that it was impossible to stand up against the powerful British Army.

Washington takes charge!

Today we will finish up with the Battle of Bunker Hill, then watch a video of General George Washington as he takes charge of a non-existent Continental Army!

To watch the video we are watching in class today, look below:

The Revolutionary War begins

Today we will study the first major battle of the American Revolution... Bunker Hill.

You will have an opportunity to place yourselves in the shoes of British General Thomas Gage.

If you found yourself in charge of an army surrounded by rebels, what would you do?