Causes of the Revolutionary War

Introduction

 

This is a link to a BlendSpace presentation with videos.  The videos are embedded with questions. The students can view before begining the webquest.  These videos can only be viewed in Firefox.

To access other EdPuzzle Videos go here: https://www.tes.com/lessons/QjBQjEjXJ6pINg/

Your students can view the following videos in the BlendSpace Presentation"

Events Leading Up to the War

What's the Big Idea Ben Franklin

Shhhhh We're Writing a Consitution

Please go to the Evaluation tab on the sidebar to learn how the information from this webquest can be utilized to fulfill the requirements of the Union City Grade 5 Benchmarks.

Assistive Technology/Modifications

There are several ways to ensure students who need help with reading and comprehension can complete these WebQuest.

  1. Text-to-Speech:
    • Highlight the text in the websites.
    • Go to Edit on the Safari toolbar.
    • Scroll down to Speech.
    • Click on Start Speaking.
  • 2. Rewordify.com:  Rewordify.com is a website that simplifies text by using synonyms for difficult words.
    •  Go to rewordify.com.
    • Highlight and copy the information from your website.
    • Paste the information into rewordify.com
    • Click rewordify text. (This text can also be read to the student using the same process as above.
  • 3.Blendspace.com Multimedia Presentation:  This presentation was created for students who have difficulty focusing on a particular when a lot of information is presented.
    • Go to this link: http://blnds.co/1zmu8XV
    • Press "Play" on the tool bar.
    • The same websites and questions are in this presentation except that each slide only contains the information for one event.
Task

This webquest focuses on the events that preceded America declaring independence from Great Britain.

Each event consists of a few websites and guiding questions. The guiding questions help students identify important information.  When answering these questions students are challenged to reflect on the information to determine what constitutes a thorough answer.

 

Process

Websites and Questions

The French and Indian War

    1. Why was the French and Indian War fought?
    2. How did the aftermath of the war affect the colonists?

Taxation Without Representation

  1. What were 3 acts the British passed?  What did they require from the colonists?
  2. What angered the citizens of the colonies most?  How do these feelings relate to the phrase, "No Taxation With Representation"?
  3. Why does Great Britain believe their use of "virtual representation" should quell colonial opposition?

The Quartering Act of 1765 and the Boston Massacre

    1. What were the provisions of the Quartering Act of 1765 and why was it instituted?
    2. How did the Quartering Act of 1765 influence the events of the Boston Massacre?
    3. Who was involved in the Boston Massacre?
    4. Describe the Boston Massacre and what Great Britain did as a result.

The Committee of Correspondence

    1. Where and why was the Committee of Correspondence created?
    2. Why were their activities illegal?  What were the reasons Great Britain did not enforce the law?
    3. How did the importance of the Committee evolve over time? (1763-1775)
    4. How did this Committee help with revolutionary activities?

The Boston Tea Party

  1. Describe the events of the Boston Tea Party.
  2. What events lead to the  "Party"? 
  3. Why did the colonists choose that particular ship and cargo?

                             The Intolerable Acts

    1. Why were the Intolerable Acts instituted?
    2. Who was affected?
    3. Describe the acts.
    4. Did they achieve their purpose of stopping opposition to the British government?  Why or why not?

The Battle of Lexington and Concord

  1. What were the impetuses (reasons) for the battles?
  2. Who participated in the battles?  Please identify specific colonial groups.
  3. What was the significance of the battle?
Evaluation

Bench Marks

  • Research coducted during this webquest fulfills the Research Component of the Union City Grade 5 Benchmark.
  • The same information can be utilized to fulfill the 3 Writing Benchmarks.
    • For Example;
      • Writing Task 2A (Narrative Prompt):  The students can write a narrative about standing up for what one believes or how one deals with times of adversity (Felicity Learns a Lesson).
      • Writing Task 2B (Opinion Essay):  Do you think the American Colonists had valid reasons for revolting against English rule?
      • Writing Task 2C (Information/ Explanatory):  What were the causes of the American Revolution?

Speaking and Listening

Utilize the information gathered during this webquest and have students break into groups or pairs and create a newscast about one of the events that lead to the Revolutionary War.  

This can include:

  • Having students dress up as colonists.
  • Creating a backdrop (poster) that depicts the event.
  • Increase the assignment's rigor by having more advanced students deliver the same news story from the English/Loyalists point of view.
    • Dress up as English citizens
    • Create a backdrop with pro-English spin

 

Assistive Technology 

    • Use iMovie to pre-record presentations of students with speech impairments, difficulty reading, or difficulty with public speaking.
    • iMovie can also be utilized to record and have students self-correct and improve their presentations.
      • Simple Use of iMovie:    
        • Click on the Movie Star on the tool bar
        • At the top of screen click Create.
        • ChooseNo Theme and click onCreate.
          • Name Project.
          • Click OK.
          • Go the top of the screen and clickImport.
            • Click Built-in iSight.
            • Click on the red record button to start and stop recording
            • To finish click Close.
            • The video is now on the main page.
            • Click on the video and press the space bar to review your video.
            • Click on the plus (+) to add the whole video or highlight the portion of the video you wish to add and click the plus (+) sign.
            • To publish your work follows steps 28-30 in the tutorial below.
  • iMovie Newscast Theme: How to Tutorial