Process
1. RESEARCH & GROUP DECISION-MAKING
You and each member of your team will research one battle of the American Revolution. Then, you will share this important information with your group.
BATTLES:
- Lexington & Concord
- Bunker Hill
- Trenton
- Saratoga
- Yorktown
Use the websites listed under the name of the battle you are researching.
ROLES:
Each member will also be assigned one of the following roles to makes sure that the research is completed and to guide in the decision-making process.
- Decision Maker-chooses the battle for each member to research; must organize a vote for final choice of battle in the event of group indecision
- Task Master-makes sure research is completed on time and that each member's "Individual Battle Graphic Organizer" is completed carefully and thoroughly
The Task Master will keep the group on task by following
this "Project Schedule."
- Discussion Moderator- organizes group discussion and allows equal time for speakers; also responsible for pacing the group discussion.
- Recorder-completes the group Battle Comparison Graphic Organizer and turns in all required organizers and lists to the teacher
- Summarizer-sums up important points of each battle for group discussion
As you research, remember that you will need to share and discuss all of your information with your group so that a final decision can be made.
To help you with your research, each member will complete an"Individual Battle Graphic Organizer" which includes many categories of information about the battle. Do not be concerned if some of the categories do not apply to the specific battle you are researching. Be sure to hand in this organizer to your teacher.
WEBSITES:
The Battle of Lexington and Concord
British Battles-Lexington & Concord (includes map)
The Battle of Bunker Hill
British Battles-Bunker Hill (includes map)
The Battle of Saratoga
Patriot Resource-Battle of Saratoga
British Battles-Saratoga (includes map)
The Battle of Trenton
Patriot Resource-Battle at Trenton
British Battles-Trenton-(includes map)
The Battle of Yorktown
Patriot Resource-Battle of Yorktown
British Battles-Yorktown (includes map)
GROUP DECISION-MAKING: CHOOSING THE BATTLE
- Come together as a group and begin the decision-making process. Play the role you have been assigned to help make the process successful.
- Print out the "Battle Comparison Organizer". The student in the role of Recorder should fill in the information so that everyone in the group can compare all of the battles. Be sure this organizer is handed in to your teacher.
- Review and discuss each battle category shown on the organizer and allow the student in the role of Summarizer to highlight and clarify important points for discussion.
- Make a final decision. You and your group need to evaluate the information carefully and make an informed decision.
- You must also be able to list 5-7 valid reasons that support and explain why this is the most important battle of the Revolution. Please write these reasons on the Supporting Reasons List and hand this in to your teacher. Be sure your reasons are explained thoroughly and completely.
Now ....
..it is time to .....
.. travel back to the scene of the battle!
2. PRODUCE A TELEVISION PROGRAM
Now is the time to begin writing the script of your "live" at the scene of the battle television program. Remember your goal is to persuade the Historical Committee that this battle deserves recognition as the most important battle of the Revolution.
Your show should also inform and entertain your viewing audience, so be sure to include plenty of facts and statistics, but be creative and write a script that delivers this information with exciting battle scenes, and interesting interviews and conversations with people from that time. You want to amaze your audience and make the battle "come alive."
You may want to consider the following segments for your show:
-short re-enactments
-interviews with generals, soldiers, average citizens, famous political leaders
-a weather report
-a battle map with strategies, tactics, maneuvers
-a comparison of battle formation and/or uniforms
GUIDELINES FOR PRODUCTION
1. Your show should not be longer than 10 minutes in length.
2. Each of you will write and perform at least one segment of the show.
3. Your production must include:
_____Basic battle information as listed on the Individual Battle Graphic Organizer
_____a map of the battle
_____at least 2 famous people involved in the battle - either British or American
4. Each member will work cooperatively in the following assigned role:
ROLES
Producer: determines flow and sequence of show; assigns production tasks fairly and as needed; offers production assistance as needed
Director: cues and helps performers with script memorization; keeps performers on track of the time given for each segment.
Backgrounds and Set Design: helps assemble and design set; may display background scenery on SmartBoard;
Costumes: helps find or create simple costumes as needed
Props & Maps - finds or creates necessary props; displays battle map from website on Smartboard
3. CREATE A MURAL
At the end of your television production, you will display a magnificent mural of the battle for the Historical Committee's judgment.
You and your team members will decide which important aspects of the battle will be represented in the mural. You will need to include at least 5 representations and each team member will be responsible for drawing one of them. Make your drawings large so that they are clearly visible from a distance.
Overall, your mural should be neat, colorful, attractive, and well-designed. It should be dramatic and powerful, and communicate the bravery, determination, and spirit that the American soldiers demonstrated in this battle which played a major role in the overthrow of the mighty British Empire.