Revolutionary War Differentiated Lesson Plan

By: Mandy Adkins

Title: The Road to the Revolution Project
Subject: Social Studies
Grade: 4th
Learning Goals / Objectives:
TSW identify the causes of the Revolutionary War
TSW discover how the colonists felt as a result of the causes
State Standards:
4.23 Explain how political, religious, and economic ideas and interests brought
about the Revolution.
4.24 Explain the different forms of protests Americans used to try to change
British policies including the Boston Tea Party, tarring and feathering, letter
writing, and boycotts.
Essential Questions:
1. What were the major causes of the Revolutionary War?
2. How did certain individuals influence and affect the war?
3. What does the slogan No Taxation without Representation mean?
4. How did the Stamp Act contribute to the war?
5. How did the French and Indian War influence the Revolutionary War?
Project Details:
TSW detail causes of the Revolutionary War and the impact it had on the colonists.
TSW create two activities based on the causes and their ability level. Rubrics will be
provided to each group for each activity.
Procedure Whole Group:
TTW quickly review the causes of the Revolutionary War using a BrainPop video that
identifies each cause. After reviewing the causes, TTW divide the class into five
different groups to discuss how they would react to the British if they were a
colonist. The groups will be based on a certain cause of the war, i.e. The Stamp Act,
The Boston Massacre, Taxation without Representation, The Townshend Acts, etc
After about 10 minutes or so, the groups will rejoin as a class and discuss their
reactions.
TTW introduce the activities the students will be completing individually, however
they will be placed in groups based on ability to review the choices. Each group will
have 6 choices to choose from and they must complete 2 out of the five items. This
will be completed over several days. Each group will have time to review the five
choices before making a final decision.
Red Group: Low Ability
These students will need to choose two out of the five activities provided to create.
1. Write a letter to King George detailing why you are upset with him and the
taxes and actions he has created.
2. Create a song or poem about the causes of the Revolutionary War

3. Create a timeline of the events that led to the Revolutionary War

4. Create a cartoon that illustrates a cause of the war and how it made the
colonist feel
5. Create an informational poster about a cause of the war
Blue Group: Medium Ability
These students will need to choose two out of the five activities provided to create.
1. Create and type a newspaper article about a cause of the Revolutionary War
2. Write a persuasive letter to General George Washington to convince him to
lead the colonists into battle against the British
3. Create and perform a short skit about the Sons of Liberty and their role in the
war
4. Illustrate and describe who you thought fired the first shot at the Boston
Massacre
5. Create a fictional store and impose your own tax on whatever you are selling.
Explain why this would upset the colonists
Orange Group: High Ability
These students will need to choose two out of the five activities provided to create.
1. Create and act out an interview you would have with King George
2. Create a prezi that would inspire people to join the Sons of Liberty
3. Write a speech to inspire the colonists to stand up for their rights and join
Washington in battle
4. Rewrite the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere using modern language
5. Create an iMovie about the Boston Tea Party
Materials:
website: www.brainpop.com
rubrics
choice descriptions for each group based on their ability
computers / iPads
poster board, pencils, markers, paper, colored pencils, crayons
Assessment:
TTW give a post test at the end of the unit to determine if the students understood
the causes of the Revolutionary War and how it changed the United States forever.
The assessment will consist of multiple choice and short answers to check for
understanding. Both activities chosen by the students will also play apart of the
students understanding.
Reflection:
TTW review if the activities provided were ability level appropriate and attainable by
the students. Revisions may need to be made if assignments are not challenging
enough or they are too challenging. TTW consider the enjoyment level of the
students while completely the activities and if the activities reached all student
learning styles of the class.