Expanding the Nation

Upon completion of this lesson, the students will be able to:

1. Knowledge

• Describe some of George Washington’s military leadership moments, including Crossing the Delaware, Battle of Princeton, and Encampment at Valley Forge.
• Discuss people’s reactions to George Washington’s leadership during the Revolutionary War.

2.   Comprehension/Application/Analysis

• Read and chart about primary source documents, then write a letter based on findings.

3.   Evaluation

• Evaluate and discuss some of the difficult moments and victories of the Revolutionary War.

Check out the Lesson Plan Teaching Guide for more instructions on using the prepared Lesson Plan.

Lesson Plan Primary Source Activity

1. Use the Lesson’s PowerPoint to explore the context and history; the PowerPoint introduces Essential Questions and lays foundational knowledge about the conflict.
2. Watch these Videos
   • Washington’s Crossing In4
   • Princeton: Washington’s Key Victory
3. Distribute the primary source worksheets and have the students several of the provided primary sources for this lesson. 
4. Students will write a letter based on their findings from the primary sources and their worksheet notes.
   • 6 selected primary sources are available under the “Primary Source” section this lesson plan page.

OPTIONAL HOMEWORK/ASSESSMENT/ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES: 

Option 2: Winter at Valley Forge

Have the students watch “Valley Forge In4” and read this primary source. Have students write newspaper headlines as though they are reporting on the following topics/conditions for the Continental Army during their Winter at Valley Forge.

1. Food
2. Shelter
3. Weather
4. George Washington’s reactions
5. Learning military drill
6. Why a soldier says he will stay in the army

Common Core State Standards- ELA & History/Social Studies

Grades 6-8

• Key Ideas and Details:
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.2
    • Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
• Craft and Structure:
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.6
    • Identify aspects of a text that reveal an author's point of view or purpose (e.g., loaded language, inclusion or avoidance of particular facts).
• Integration of Knowledge and Ideas:
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.8
    • Distinguish among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment in a text.

Grades 9-10

• Key Ideas and Details:
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2
    • Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of how key events or ideas develop over the course of the text.
• Craft and Structure:
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.6
    • Compare the point of view of two or more authors for how they treat the same or similar topics, including which details they include and emphasize in their respective accounts.
• Integration of Knowledge and Ideas:
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.8
    • Assess the extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a text support the author's claims.

Grades 11-12

• Key Ideas and Details:
  • CSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.2
    • Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary that makes clear the relationships among the key details and ideas.
• Craft and Structure:
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.6
    • Evaluate authors' differing points of view on the same historical event or issue by assessing the authors' claims, reasoning, and evidence.
• Integration of Knowledge and Ideas:
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.8
    • Evaluate an author's premises, claims, and evidence by corroborating or challenging them with other information.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.9
    • Integrate information from diverse sources, both primary and secondary, into a coherent understanding of an idea or event, noting discrepancies among sources.

Social Studies - National Council for the Social Studies

• Theme 1: Culture
• Theme 2: Time, Continuity, and Change
• Theme 3: People, Places, and Environments
• Theme 4: Individual Development and Identity
• Theme 5: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions
• Theme 6: Power, Authority, and Governance