Johnny Tremain: The Revolutionary War

Introduction

Now that you have read JOHNNY TREMAIN, let's explore the causes, conduct, and participants that brought about the American Revolution.

The Task

The members of your group will gather information on the topics assigned in the "Process." You will use this information to make comparisons and gain insights. Each group member will focus on one particular area and add this information to the final project/activity. Eventually, your group will produce a written and oral report to present the combined details of your research to the class.

Resources

• Tea Tax
• Stamp Act /Sugar Act
• Stamp Act #2
• Tea Party
• Townshend Act
• Townshend Repealed
• Coercive Act
• Causes:Revolutionary War
• Sons of Liberty
• American Revolution Kid Sites

American Revolution Newspapers

Ben Franklin's Pennsylvania Gazette January 2, 1750	The Boston Gazette Monday, October 7, 1776	Massachusetts Centinel Saturday, April 24,1790

The Process

1. Design a front page for a newspaper which Johnny might have delivered describing the events, causes, and issues of the day using the following TOPICS:
   • STAMP ACT
   • BOSTON TEA PARTY
   • DECLARATORY ACT
   • TOWNSHEND ACT
   • COERCIVE ACT
2. You will be assigned a TOPIC to research and be divided into small groups for this activity.
3. Your group will do research on how newspapers looked during the Revolution and how they would have been printed.
4. The following should be included in your "newspaper front page article:"

• CAUSES
• CONDUCT
• PARTICIPANTS
• DATES

Learning Advice

Your sources of information will be on the INTERNET. Start with the sites listed in the "Resources" section and then use various resources available in the Media Center such as books, encyclopedias, magazines, maps and other reference materials. Remember, the more sources you use, the more likely you are to gather accurate and complete information. Take good notes with your group and try to be as accurate as possible.

REMEMBER: Use the Back Button Arrow on the Menu Bar to return to your Webquest Page after looking at each site listed in the "Resource" section.

Conclusion

There are several benefits that you will achieve from this Activity.

• You will do your own research with the INTERNET -a tool that provides vast and immediate resources.
• You will practice the skills of observation, analysis, and interpretation.
• You will gain an understanding of how decisions regarding the American Revolution were made, the causes , the ideas and interests involved in shaping the revolutionary movement, and reasons for the American victory.
• As you work in small, cooperative groups, you will realize the value of working together to solve problems.

Notable Books on The American Revolution

• THE BLOODY COUNTRY, by Christopher Collier
• 1787, by Joan Anderson
• APRIL MORNING, by Howard Fast
• SARAH BISHOP, by Scott O'Dell
• THE TREE OF LIBERTY, by Elizabeth Page
• RABBLE IN ARMS, by Kenneth Roberts
• BURR, by Gore Vidal
• SON OF AN EARL...SOLD FOR A SLAVE, by D. Weems

Ms. Denice Nowak, Media Specialist
Warren Woods Middle School, Warren, Michigan

8/21/97

This page was adapted from Bernie Dodge 's WebQuest_Template1.html by Tom March