About this book
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
Spread the Word
Ask students to become modern-day Paul Reveres. How would they quickly spread an urgent message throughout the entire community? What form of media and/or transportation would they use? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the students' proposals. Then, as a class, decide which method would be the most effective in spreading the word.
Map a Mystery
Pair students for this activity. Have them work together to draw two identical maps of the Boston areaincluding Charlestown, Cambridge, Lexington, and Concord and natural landmarks such as the Charles River and manmade ones such as Old North Churchas it was in 1775 when the minutemen made their famous midnight rides. Tell one of the partners to trace the route of the minuteman on his or her map. That partner then writes clues about the route. The other partner must use the clues to draw the minutemen's routes on his or her map.
Child's Play
What kinds of games did children play in colonial America? What songs did they sing during the American Revolution? Besides samplers, what types of arts and crafts did children do? Send students to the library to research American games, songs, and arts and crafts of the 1700s. Let them use their research to plan and hold a Revolutionary Days Fair. Invite other classes to join you and see what children did for fun long ago.
- Subjects:Colonial and Revolutionary America, American Revolutionary War, Content Area Reading, Literature, Reading Comprehension, Research Skills, Maps and Globes
- Skills:Reading Comprehension, Maps, Social Studies, Research Skills
