Revolutionary Ideas: John Locke and Thomas Jefferson

Today we will begin our study of the Declaration of Independence. First, we shall look at how Thomas Jefferson used many of the ideas of English philosopher John Locke (picture) to justify the Colonists' rebellion to the rest of the world.

Click on the title of today's blog to take the quiz.

Causes of the American Revolution Test

To take the test, click on the title of today's blog. The secret word is patriot (shhh!)
When finished with the test, read a book, or work on an assignment from another class.

Good Luck! If you studied, you will do well.

Test Review

Today we review for Monday's test over causes of the American Revolution.
A great way to practice for the test is to play the formative assessment games.
Items on the test:
proclamation of 1763
French and Indian War
Sugar Act
Stamp Act
Quartering Act
Navigation Acts
Boston Massacre
Tea Act
Sons of Liberty
Boston Tea Party
"No taxation without representation"
King George III
English Bill of Rights
Intolerable Acts
Battles of Lexington and Concord
boycott
import
export
writ of assistance
Thomas Gage
martial law
Samuel Adams
Paul Revere
minutemen
"Shot heard 'round the world"
patriot
loyalist
whig
tory

Letter for Reconciliation

Today, we finished the film April Morning. Now students will write a formal letter to
King George III with three goals in mind:

1. Explain how the Battle of Lexington and Concord happened.
2. Justify the actions of the Colonists (give 3 causes)
3. Ask that the Colonists not be punished for their actions.

The letter is due tomorrow at the beginning of the period, along with the movie journal.

April Morning

This week we will be watching the film April Morning. April Morning is an historical fiction novel by Howard Fast depicting the Battle of Lexington and Concord from the perspective of a fictional teenager, Adam Cooper. It takes place in the 27 hour period from April 18, 1775 to the aftermath of the battle. During that stretch, Adam comes of age and resolves his difficulties with his demanding father.
Students will journal each day about the film. When the film is finished, journals will be turned in and graded. If a student misses a day of school, he/she will need to watch the missed portion of the film before or after school.

The Intolerable Acts

Cause and Effect is a wonderful thing. It allows us to make something good happen, it also allows us to avoid something bad..., if we take the time to study it. Today, we study the Intolerable Acts. If you were in class yesterday, you know the Boston Tea Party was the cause. Now we will see the effects.
Click on the Liberty's Kids film below to learn about the Intolerable Acts. When you are finished, you can play the review games under Formative Assessment.

The Boston Tea Party

We will continue studying causes of the American Revolution today, with a PBS series called "Liberty's Kids". The 28 minute animated show depicts the events leading up to, and including, the Boston Tea Party. When you finish, you may go to Formative Assessments and play some review games.