Revolutionary War Fireworks

• Create a "dictionary of independence" by defining words that are important to good citizenship. Using these words, write one or two paragraphs about our nation's history.

• Write a diary as if you were living at the time of the Revolutionary War. Begin your diary before the war and show how events shape your feelings and opinions.

• Explore the Revolutionary War with PBS: http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty/

• Take a Revolutionary War quiz: http://www.softschools.com/quizzes/social_studies/revolutionary_war/quiz414.html

• Do some Revolutionary War school projects: http://www.ehow.com/info_7883428_revolutionary-war-school-projects.html

• Make a standing star: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/stars/3dstar2/

• Make a flag from craft sticks: http://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-for-kids/popsicle-stick-american-flags/

• Collect some facts about the Revolutionary War:

http://www.landofthebrave.info/facts-about-revolutionary-war.htm

http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0769969.html

• Using the provided pictures and descriptions, print pictures of weapons and write interesting things about each weapon on the back of their picture. Turn this into a mobile: http://www.history-of-american-wars.com/revolutionary-war-weapons.html

• Create a three-dimensional map showing Boston as it was during the siege of Boston. Show British ships in the harbor and the position of American troops in Cambridge.

• Play the War card game - http://www.pagat.com/war/war.html

• Who is your favorite hero of the American Revolution? Why is this person your favorite? Write about what make this person a hero. Here's a list of heroes that may help you: http://americanhistory.mrdonn.org/revolution-lesson12.html

• As there was no established American army there were very few uniforms available for the American Revolutionary Soldiers. Many of the soldiers wore civilian clothes or hunting jackets. You are commissioned to design the uniform for the soldiers. You may draw the uniform on blank paper or use the blank printable template found here: http://www.dltk-kids.com/usa/mpaperdoll-washington.htm

• Only a few of the early colonists were proficient in sugar work and were able to provide the sugary treats for the very wealthy. Rock candy, made from crystallized sugar, was the simplest form of candy, but even this basic form of sugar was considered a luxury and was only attainable by the rich. Make your own rock candy.

• Reenact the story of John Paul Jones' famous sea battle.

• Do some of the activities that children might have participated in during the Revolutionary War. Consider how they are similar or different from the activities children engage in today. Here are some ideas:

Marbles

Pick up Sticks

Dance (Virginia Reel)

Singing

Drums/Fifes

Cooking

• Read Paul Revere's Ride by Longfellow. Read a true account of Paul Revere's ride. What parts of Longfellow's popular poem are not entirely accurate?

• Discover the many uniforms of the Revolutionary War. Create and play a matching game to match the soldier to the correct military group. Here are some resources:

http://www.heritagecostumes.com/Revolutionary-War-Uniforms-c125/

http://www.ducksters.com/history/american_revolution/soldiers_uniforms_and_gear.php

• Identify the parts of speech in paragraphs about various Revolutionary War heroes.

• Play this Revolutionary-era throwing game that reinforces math facts: http://inquiryunlimited.org/ss_1700s/rev/rocks.html

• Make a Betsy Ross flag.