Welcome teachers!

Below you will see a lesson plan that corresponds with this website.
We have also included a list of resources for further learning about the Freedom Trail.

Lesson Plan

Unit/Topic: The American Revolution

Grade Level: 5^th Grade

Lesson Topic: The Freedom Trail

Lesson Objectives:

The students will be able to:

• Correctly locate various historical locations from The American Revolution located along The Freedom Trail 85% of the time
• Correctly match corresponding information with given topic related to the American Revolution 90% of the time
• Students will present information they learned to the class in a group discussion, sharing at least five facts they learned during the unit on the American Revolution

Instructional Technique:

    Students will work individually on the designed website based upon important sites from the American Revolution along the Freedom Trail. This is an introductory activity for the American Revolution. It is our goal that students will be able to explore this TravelQuest of the Freedom Trail to begin to get a general understanding of the material that we will soon be covering in depth.

Instructional Material:

• TravelQuest- question and answer website on the Freedom Trail
• Guiding sheet when they are on the TravelQuest- question and answer website
• Computer for every individual student

Theoretical Perspective:

    This information on the American Revolution is important for students to learn because it is the early beginnings of the history to our country. By learning about the American Revolution, students will be able to identify various individuals, battles, as well as locations that are significant to the United States of America. By having students explore the Freedom Trail online they are able to see the historical sights without actually being there. Therefore they may feel more connected to the material and be able to better visualize and relate to the subject matter.

Procedure:

A. Introduction Activity:

    The teacher will introduce the TravelQuest, and explain the general concept of the American Revolution, so that students will have a general sense of what they are going to be learning about in the upcoming week. Students will then go to computers and work independently exploring the TravelQuest and various points along the Freedom Trail. Students will be getting a feel for the website and practicing their basic computer skills while learning about a part of history.

B. Step-by-Step

• Students will be introduced to the topic of the American Revolution through teacher instruction.
• As a class, a KWL chart will be generated. If the teacher feels that students do not have a good foundation of the basic concepts of the material than s/he can assign a general overview reading material.
• Students will all be sitting at their own computers and the teacher will introduce the TravelQuest to the class. S/he will go over proper computer use guidelines, and explain their expectations for the assignment.
• Students will be learning the same material but as individuals and at their own pace.
• Following the explanation, the teacher will distribute an “assessment” worksheet. Students will be required to complete this worksheet and turn it in after the completion of the TravelQuest.
• Students will then begin working on the TravelQuest and the worksheet.
• Once students have completed the TravelQuest, regroup as a class for a discussion/closure to the assignment.

C. Closure

    Once students have completed the TravelQuest and their worksheets, have everyone gather together. As a class, have students share new things that they have learned about the American Revolution through their exploration on the Freedom Trail. Add this to your KWL chart. Also, have students discuss their feelings on the TravelQuest. What was their favorite site? Was there a fact about the American Revolution that they found to be extremely exciting and interesting?  Did they enjoy the TravelQuest? Did they feel it was a good introduction assignment, or was it too easy or too hard?

D. Adaptations for Different Learners

    Students who have focusing issues will be seated away from distractions and seated near students who stay on task. The noise level of the room will be monitored to try to help limit distractions. The assignment will be presented orally, and if students need it can be written on the board as well. The teacher will be constantly walking around the room checking in on students.

E. Homework

    Students will be assigned reading out of their textbook on the American Revolution and will be required to complete the section review questions at the end of the section.

Evaluation:

A. How/when will you determine if you have met your objectives?

Once students have completed the unit on the American Revolution, they will be given a unit test. To know if the objectives have been met, students must be able to correctly locate various historical locations from The American Revolution located along the Freedom Trail 85% of the time. They must also have the ability to correctly match corresponding information with a given topic (i.e. battles, people, etc) related to the American Revolution 90% of the time.

B. Concerns or questions that are present in regards to teaching this lesson:

• The computers will not be running properly.
• The internet will be down.
• The images or links on the site will not come up.
• Students will just click, and not actually read the questions and think about their answers.
• We will not be able to reach our objectives.