Fun American Revolution Lesson Plans for 5th Grade!

When it comes to well-curated and FUN American Revolution lesson plans for 5th graders there's a whole slew of important events, historical figures, and topics that should be covered.

From the tyranny of King George and the American Revolutionary War itself, to the causes of the American Revolution. For example, when it comes to teaching the American Revolution to fifth graders they seem to learn and retain their learnings best when I'm able to present and teach the subject matter in a way that challenges their critical thinking skills through historical analysis, makes excellent usage of primary sources and secondary sources of information, -AND- incorporates fun and engaging interactive activities such as a Jeopardy unit review game! 😁 

As part of my full year of social studies curriculum for 5th graders, is an entire American Revolution unit. Designed to last between two-to-three weeks, this unit takes students back to the time of the American Revolution by examining the idea of taxation in Colonial America, historical artifacts, and the life experiences of the colonists. Fifth grade students receive a comprehensive and thorough overview, that's appropriate for their grade level, of the revolutionary experience. It's been through my own numerous years of teaching that the content I've included in my American Revolution lesson plan unit helps students better absorb and grasp concepts in ensuing lessons and units such as the drafting and ratification of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, the causes of the War of 1812, Westward Expansion and "Manifest Destiny", and many other important topics. In addition to the aforementioned historical topics that come after the American Revolution, I've also deliberately designed my lessons and units to help students build a solid foundation of understanding and comprehension as they become middle school students and high school students. I've done this by organizing each of my history lessons into a thematic unit which guide students learnings around a main idea or concept and makes use informational texts, newspaper article, primary source documents, secondary source excerpts, and so much more! For example, students learn that Paul Revere, an integral figure of the American Revolution, actually wasn't all that famous until several decades after his death when in 1861 when Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the now famous poem Paul Revere's Midnight Ride, which students also conduct an analysis of by examining carefully selected words Wadsworth use in his poem!

To give a better idea of just what exactly is all included in my American Revolution unit for 5th graders, here's a high-level breakdown:

Chronological Order of the Major Events of the American Revolution

• Passage of the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Townshend Acts
• The Boston Massacre
• The Tea Act & Boston Tea Party
• The Coercive Acts (a.k.a. the "Intolerable Acts")
• Drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence
• Independence Day
• Battle of Lexington
• Battle of Concord
• Battle of Bunker Hill
• Washington's Crossing
• Battle of Saratoga
• Significance of Valley Forge
• Battle of Yorktown
• Signing of the Treaty of Paris

 Important People of the American Revolution

• Sons of Liberty
• Crispus Attucks
• Importance of King George III & British Parliament
• Paul Revere
• Thomas Jefferson
• Benjamin Franklin
• Patrick Henry
• John Adams
• Continental Congress (First & Second)
• Continental Army
• General George Washington
• And numerous others! 

Help make these lessons fun for your 5th graders through the use of one or more of these activities and ideas!

• Act out a historical events with students
• Add drama to your voice as you read through the presentations to your class
• Incorporate collaborative discussion strategies
• Go on a virtual field trip
• Play an interactive game
• Conduct a simulation activity and/or inquiry based project
• Role play activity
• Give students the choice of what assignments and/or projects they do  

These are just a handful of ideas and suggestions to help you make the American Revolution come alive in your classroom! I hope you've enjoyed this article and check out my YEAR-LONG curriculum bundle for 5th graders by clicking right HERE!! (I promise, you'll be glad you did!) 😉