Williams Design

American History: American Revolution (Lesson/ Cause and Effect)

Paradox
Seemingly Contradictory

What is freedom? Is it free?

Attribute Listing
Essential Question
Inherent/The Heart of an Issue

Is greed a necessary evil? Should bad speech be protected? Should we control this more?

Should it be tolerated Analogy
Symbolic Similarity

When describing liberty, why does Thomas Jefferson say; "Occasionally the tree of Liberty must be watered with the blood of Patriots and Tyrants". Whys does he liken "liberty" to a tree or blood to water? Provide a recent example where the tree of liberty has required watering.

Discrepancy
Knowledge Gaps

Was the American Revolution the only option? What other options were explored. Why was war the solution?

Provocative Question
Curiosity incites exploration

What makes someone a tyrant? Should patriots have tolerated tyranny rather than go to war?

Examples of Change
Dynamics and Modifications

Select a patriot or loyalist in the American Revolution. What were their views and interests? What motivated them to choose a side and fight?

Examples of Habit
Breaking habit bound thinking

What were some of the loyalists’ weaknesses and how did these shortcomings affect the outcome of the American Revolution?

Organized Random Search
Structured Case Study Redirected Course of Action

Select two figures, politicians, government officials or military; one from the American Revolution and one other (past or present), who experienced or is experiencing similar circumstances. Explain how each coped, and compare decisons made and related outcomes. Point out the lessons learned.

Skills of Search
Research something already done-
Test new ways of doing

Reconstruct the events leading up to the Boston massacre or Tea Party and conduct a mini-trial. Include the police, an arrest warrant, lawyers -judge - jury - witnesses - evidence and a verdict. How do your findings compare to what actually happened? Were citizens at that time provided the same rights they receive today in America?

Tolerance for Ambiguity
What if

What would America be like today if there were no patriots or revolution? What if the patriots decided to tolerate tyranny?

Intuitive Expression
Emotional, Sensory Expression-Role Playing

You are transported back in time to get advice from one of the founding fathers regarding an issue you are concerned about today. What would that issue be and what questions would you ask? Based on your research, how do you think the founding father would respond? Use historical information to help you understand their beliefs, and predict how they might advise you.

Adjustment to Development
Reflection/ Consider Alternatives

What influenced someone to become a patriot or a loyalist? Explain both positions and circumstances. How did these circumstances influence decision making. Do personal circumstances affect decisions and political choices people make today?

Study creative Development Consider
Creative Persons,Processes and Products

Select a prominent revolutionary character, and consider how his or her talents contributed to the war effort and/or the development of the Declaration of Independence

Evaluate Situations
Extrapolate - Implications Consequences

Read a biography or autobiography of one of the founding fathers and describe what guided their beliefs and the decisions they made. How did their beliefs affect their accomplishments?

Creative Reading Skills
Develop New Ideas by Reading

How well does the book "My Brother Sam is Dead" or the movie "The Patriot" portray the life and times of the average person during the revolutionary war. What other reading supports these depictions. Do your sources support or provides a contrary view.

Creative Listening
Develop New Ideas by Listening

Listen to Martin Luther King Jr.s, August 28, 1963 speech, "I have a dream". How does it reveal the power of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.

Creative Writing Skills
Develop New Ideas by Writing

Select a human rights topic relating to current world affairs; then write and deliver a speech using either a persuasive or extemporaneous written format.

Visualization
Develop new ideas through
Three Dimensional Expression

Design a monument that has never been created; one that represents a real event, current or past, directly or indirectly related to the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence or the US constitution.

Eight Behaviors that demonstrate Positive Achievement Outcomes

Description

Description

Risk Taking

Curiosity