Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. ~ Benjamin Franklin

 http://sharetv.org/images/libertys_kids-show.jpg

NOTE:  Students, if you did not take the exit survey for Digital Wish, please do so by Friday, May 18th. Here is the link again:  Student Post-deployment Survey 

Dear Families--

What follows is an animated series titled Liberty's Kids, which offers a fresh, kid-friendly (and historically accurate) perspective on events happening in Revolutionary War-era colonial America.  Told from the viewpoint of three young people and a former slave named Moses from the years 1773 to 1789, this series helps children to understand about how/why issues with Britain reached the breaking point in the years following the French and Indian War, leading to the promise of freedom from Britain.  Students will "witness" the chaos and confusion in the colonies as the Revolution unfolded, first dividing, then uniting a nation.

I have provided to each of your children an annotated list of episodes, which includes the historical context for each episode.  The amount of classwork is minimal; but the degree of participation is more necessary than ever as we explore "the rest of the story," which requires everyone to be active thinkers and problem-solvers.  

As always, please consider checking out the links and other activities I've taken the time to provide.  What a great opportunity to spend some additional quality time with your children!

#101 THE BOSTON TEA PARTY, PART 1 & PART 2

#102 THE INTOLERABLE ACTS, PART 1 & PART 2

#103 UNITED WE STAND, PART 1 & PART 2  

#104 “LIBERTY OR DEATH,” PART 1 & PART 2

#105 MIDNIGHT RIDE, PART 1 & PART 2

#106 THE SHOT HEARD ‘ROUND THE WORLD, PART 1 & PART 2

#107 GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS, PART 1 & PART 2

#108 THE SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, PART 1 & PART 2

#109 BUNKER HILL, PART 1 & PART 2 
#110 POSTMASTER GENERAL FRANKLIN, PART 1 & PART 2

#111 WASHINGTON TAKES COMMAND, PART 1 & PART 2

#112 COMMON SENSE, PART 1 & PART 2

#113 THE FIRST FOURTH OF JULY, PART 1 & PART 2

#114 NEW YORK, NEW YORK, PART 1 & PART 2

#115 THE TURTLE, PART 1 & PART 2

#116 ONE LIFE TO LOSE, PART 1 & PART 2 

#117 CAPTAIN MOLLY, PART 1 & PART 2 

#118 AMERICAN CRISIS, PART 1 & PART 2 

#119 ACROSS THE DELEWARE, PART 1 & PART 2 
#120 AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, PART 1 & PART 2 
#121 SYBIL LUDINGTON, PART 1 & PART 2 
#122 LAFAYETTE ARRIVES, PART 1 & PART 2 
#123 THE HESSIANS ARE COMING, PART 1 & PART 2 
#124 VALLEY FORGE, PART 1 & PART 2 
#125 ALLIES AT LAST, PART 1 & PART 2 
#126 HONOR AND COMPROMISE, PART 1 & PART 2 
#127 THE NEW FRONTIER, PART 1 & PART 2 
#128 NOT YET BEGUN TO FIGHT, PART 1 & PART 2 
#129 THE GREAT GALVEZ, PART 1 & PART 2 
#130 IN PRAISE OF BEN, PART 1 & PART 2 
#131 BOSTONIANS, PART 1 & PART 2 
#132 BENEDICT ARNOLD, PART 1 & PART 2 
#133 CONFLICT IN THE SOUTH, PART 1 & PART 2 
#134 DEBORAH SAMPSON: SOLDIER OF THE REVOLUTION, PART 1 & PART 2 
#135 JAMES ARMISTEAD, PART 1 & PART 2 
#136 YORKTOWN, PART 1 & PART 2 
#137 BORN FREE AND EQUAL, PART 1 & PART 2 
#138 THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING, PART 1 & PART 2 
#139 GOING HOME, PART 1 & PART 2 
#140 WE THE PEOPLE, PART 1 & PART 2

 

Check out these additional sites:

Chronicles of the Revolution

Read all about it! These newspaper Chronicles let you experience first-hand the excitement and uncertainty of the American Revolution as it happened. Click on a city to read about the riveting historical headlines that shaped the war and America.

Timeline of the Revolution

Explore the chronology of Revolutionary events

The Road to Revolution Game
Test your knowledge about the American Revolution, and see if you can navigate your way to independence. Every correct answer gets you closer to liberty!

Perspectives on Liberty

Get to know the people and times of the American Revolution by clicking on the activities below.

Liberty! The Series

Episode Descriptions

Famous People of the Revolution

Related PBS resources and websites (1 & 2):

What is Liberty?

"Poetry is all that is worth remembering in life." ~William Hazlitt

http://thewritesisters.blogspot.com/2012/04/mentor-monday-its-tax-time.html

Creating Poems Interactive

• Spine Poem
• Lantern (Shape) Poem
• “I Can’t Write a Poem” Poem
• Name Poem
• “Yes, That’s Me” Poem
• “5 W” Poem
• “Color My World” Poem
• “What If?” Poem
• “Once I Was…But Now I Am…” Poem
• “Once I Knew’ Poem
• “Love That” Poem
• Septet Poem
• “I Don’t Understand” Poem
• List Poem
• “Rhetorical Question” Poem
• “Wishes and Fears” Poem
• “Me & You Swithcheroo” Poem
• “If You Were One Inch Tall” Poem
• “Nature Personified” Poem
• “Louder Than” Poem
• “If [Emotion] Were A …” Poem
• “Hold On” Poem
• “I Am” Poem
• “I Like Animals Because” Poem
• I’m in Charge of the World” Poem
• “I Remember” Poem
• “This is the Poem That…” Poem
• “I Asked…” Poem

"True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else." ~ Clarence Darrow.

 http://www.totallypimpedout.net/Graphics/Cinco_de_Mayo/images/Have_A_Great_Cinco_De_Mayo.gif

Cinco de Mayo -- or the 5th of May --  is a special cultural holiday for the Mexican people.  Like American colonists' fight for independence against the British, Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico's unlikely victory over 8,000 highly skilled French forces in 1862.  It symbolizes love of country and the common man's triumph over foreign dominance.  

Hello everyone--

A short week is upon us.  Both classes are pushing forward with our study of the French and Indian War and it's aftermath.  Any work we do in Social Studies will be directly related to the information and links located here.

Grade 5: I'll continue to support your  work with PPPs.  Otherwise, we're exploring lots of cool sites on the blog and "doubling up" on Social Studies and its related Reading/Writing assignments.  It makes an engaging way to end the year!

Grade 6:  You and I know both how much we have to do to prepare for the end of the 2011-2012 school year. In addition to all of that, we are working on our Poetry Exhibition projects and, of course, our study of American History.  

Parents, ask to see your child's Poetry Project syllabus.  All work must (MUST!) be turned in by May 21 so that I can get projects assessed and back the students. They will make wonderful keepsakes when all is said and done. . .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please check out this wonderful site--maps and videos help to explain the war.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  

http://www.independencetrail.org/images/stories-abercrombie-vs-fort.jpg

 Battle of Fort Carillon, also known as the Battle of Ticonderoga
 

On July 8, 1758, the Battle of Carillon, also known as the Battle of Ticonderoga was fought near Fort Carillon on the shore of Lake Champlain. In the battle, which took place primarily on a rise about three-quarters of a mile from the fort itself, a French army of about 4,000 men under General Louis-Joseph de Montcalm and the Chevalier de Levis decisively defeated an overwhelmingly numerically superior force of British troops under General James Abercrombie, which frontally assaulted an entrenched French position without using field artillery. The battle was the bloodiest of the war, with over 2,500 casualties suffered, of which over 2,000 were British soldiers.  

Another interesting video about Fort Ticonderoga from havefunwithhistory.com.

 http://www.britishbattles.com/images/louisburg/battle-map-l.jpg

Battle of Louisbourg, July 26, 1758

The Siege of Louisbourg was a pivotal battle of the French and Indian War in 1758 and led directly to the loss of Quebec in 1759 and the remainder of French North America the following year. The British government realized that with the Fortress of Louisbourg under French control, there was no way that the Royal Navy could sail down the St. Lawrence River for an attack on Quebec. An Expedition against Louisbourg in 1757 led by Lord Loudon failed due to a strong French naval deployment.

 

http://www.military-art.com/mall/images/var606.jpg

The Battle of the Plains of Abraham

  Decisive battle that led to the fall of Quebec. The British, led by James Wolfe, had successfully crossed the St. Lawrence river above Quebec, where Louis de Montcalm, in charge of the French defenders of the city, had felt to be secure, protected by the Heights of Abraham, high cliffs that appeared to block any attack. However, Wolfe had scouted out a route up the cliffs, a narrow track that led to the top, where a weak French guard had been overwhelmed in their sleep. By dawn, Wolfe had 4,828 men on the cliff tops west of the city. When the British tents were seen, Montcalm himself went to scout out the situation, but even after seeing the British force in person, he refused to believe that anything more than a small raiding force had climbed the cliffs. Wolfe marched his force to within a mile of the city, and formed up ready for battle.

The French were divided. 3,000 of their best men were some way to the west under Bougainville, and although Montcalm had 10,000 men, over 7,000 of them were militia. Foolishly, Montcalm did not wait for Bougainville and his 3,000 men, and instead launched his attack at 10 in the morning. At this point the superior discipline of the British carried the day. The French advanced in some disorder, firing wildly and with little effect. In contrast, the first volley of British musket fire was devastating, and the French force fell back under the shock, at which point Wolfe ordered a bayonet charge, which he led himself. Within seconds, Wolfe took a bullet in the chest, which was eventually to kill him, but the charge itself was a success, turning the French retreat into a total rout. Montcalm also took a fatal wound while attempting to rally the troops. Wolfe survived long enough to know he had won the battle, and Montcalm only survived to the following day, while Quebec surrendered on 18 September.

Rickard, J (8 November 2000), Plains of Abraham, battle of, 13 September 1759, 
http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_abraham.html

 http://thehistorynetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/910_-_Battle_of_Quebec-300x180.jpg

British Invasion of Quebec—1759

The conquest of Quebec is more than just a single battle; it is the result of a long siege that lasts from June 26th to the 18th of September, 1759. During this interminable confrontation, Montcalm adopts a purely defensive strategy and chooses to take no initiative against the enemy. Wolfe attempts twice to take the city before September, but his troops are defeated and repelled on both occasions. Despite these failures, the English surround the city with their boats and bombard it day and night for weeks, reducing the once proud capital of New France to a desolate pile of smoking ruins. We estimate that about 15,000 bombs were thrown on Quebec that summer, and the fate of the surrounding villages is also far from lenient. Farms are pillaged and burnt, villages are ravaged and the inhabitants who did not join the militia (women, children, the elderly, and priests for the most part) are incarcerated in prisoner camps. The inhabitants are the ones who suffer the most from the British invasion.

http://www.iboston.org/assets/photos/masacare.jpg

"BOSTON MASSACRE" 

Look at two videos about the Boston Massacre (  1 & 2 ) then answer the following questions:

1. What do you think?  Was the "Boston Massacre" really a massacre or was it a riot?  Explain your answer. 
2. Why do you suppose Paul Revere drew the above picture as he did?

Read more about the Boston Massacre – including fascinating primary documents  –  
 here and here. 

http://www.mce.k12tn.net/revolutionary_war/spirit.jpg

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

The Revolution: can you think of a more unlikely war? Whatever possessed the 13 colonies (with little organization, no trained army, and no navy to speak of) think they could defeat the most powerful nation in the known world?? (Were they not watching what happened to the French and their allies during the LAST war??) Was the war won as a result of determination, support, weather, terrain, timing, or sheer luck? (The answer here is probably "yes...") An entire year would not give us enough time to explore the stories behind the story. We'll continue the conversation as circumstances following the French and Indian War ignite unrest in a country already feeling it's connections dissolving...

The American Revolution: The Conflict Ignites Part 1
The American Revolution: The Conflict Ignites Part 2

The American Revolution: The Conflict Ignites Part 3

The American Revolution: The Conflict Ignites Part 4

The American Revolution: The Conflict Ignites Part 5

Lots to think about. . .

Be well, 

Teri

P.S.  TRY THIS REALLY COOL ROAD TO REVOLUTION INTERACTIVE GAME!

Looking for more American Revolution games?  Sure! Click here and explore a bunch of them! 

“We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.” ~Ben Franklin

http://independencetrail.org/images/stories-Surrender-of-Fort-W.jpg

THE MASSACRE OF FORT WILLIAM HENRY

The attack on Fort William Henry might well be called a siege, because it went on for days.  In late July, 1757 the French under the Marquis de Montcalm assembled a force of 3,081 regular troops, 2,946 Canadian militia, 188 artillery men and 1,806 Indians for an attack on Fort William Henry. This massive French force moved in on the fort from every direction. As they approached the fort, damage increased until finally the they were close enough to fire mortars directly into the fort.  Unable to hold the fort, the British admitted defeat, and Montcalm drew up what appeared to be generous terms of surrender. The chilling aftermath of the surrender came to be known as the Massacre of Fort William Henry.

http://llamabutchers.mu.nu/LakeGeorge.jpg

THE BATTLE OF LAKE GEORGE

The Battle of Lake George was fought on September 8, 1755. The first engagement, which came to be called "The Bloody Morning Scout," occurred when the British headed south down the Fort Edward road in an attempt to cut off French supplies.  French scouts heard about the British advance and hurried north to ambush them. The French commander ordered his men to form a hook shape on both sides of the road, and almost immediately, the British found themselves in a trap. Military leaders on both sides were killed. Read here for more information (including pictures) about the Battle of Lake George.

 The remaining British panicked, wildly retreating north to a small pond where they barricaded themselves behind stumps and logs and made another brief stand before continuing their retreat. Other British forces were immediately sent to assist. Preparations were hastily made against the approaching French--several cannon and other field pieces were put in position. 

The French regulars arrived around noon and marched directly into the center of the British position, and were mowed down. Some British soldiers from the morning battle attempted once again to retreat, causing confusion in the ranks. William Johnson, in rallying them, took a musket ball in the leg. 

 Later that day, with most of the fighting over, some 300 New Hampshire and New York Colonials who on their way to reinforce the British garrison ambushed a group of French and Natives encamped for the night near a pond. After a desperate struggle, the French force was almost wiped out. Over 200 bodies rolled into the pond, staining the water red. That's how it got its name, "Bloody Pond". In this conflict Rogers, the famous Ranger made his debut as a soldier.Information from the above article can be found here.

http://www.military-history.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Warrior-Rogers-Rangers-1small.jpg


THE AMAZING STORY OF ROGERS' RANGERS

The life story of Major Robert Rogers, the New England frontiersman who recruited companies of colonial soldiers, known as Rogers' Rangers, to fight for the British in the French and Indian War, is a compelling mix of military intrigue and national identity. This feisty major codified colonial military strategies into a document, known as Standing Orders and put these principles to practice in many battles, campaigns, and scouting expeditions. Check it out:

  http://www.tallcomanche.org/Comanche_Rogers_Rangers_Orders_from_Henzi_02.jpg

For an easier-to-read copy of Rogers Rangers' Standing Orders, click here.

What follows is a five-part episode By Ray Mears who allows you follow in the footsteps of Rogers' Rangers as they withdrew through New England, fighting off both the approaching enemy and starvation as fall turned into winter. This is part of BBC's third series of "Ray Mears Extreme Survival". It's a fascinating episode, and knowing how much we all love the outdoors, it provides great lessons for surviving in the woods! Enjoy!

Ray Mears:  Rogers’ Rangers—Part 1

Ray Mears:  Rogers’ Rangers—Part 2

Ray Mears:  Rogers’ Rangers—Part 3

 Ray Mears:  Rogers’ Rangers—Part 4 

 Ray Mears:  Rogers’ Rangers—Part 5 

Here's something else really worth watching if you're interested in Robert Rogers. This is called, "Rogers' Rangers, Ranging Way of War." (I find this stuff fascinating!)

~and~

an excellent primary document:


Reminiscences of the French war; containing Roger's expeditions with the New-England rangers under his command, as published in London in 1765

So much to learn, so much...

Be well,

Teri

"There was never a good war, or a bad peace.

There was never a good war, or a bad peace.

Cherokee Scouting Fort Duquesne

http://www.oldgloryprints.com/Scouting_for_the_English.jpg

Dear families-
I will be posting a series of videos that support our learning about the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War. By doing so, students can readily access key information for review or just a second look -- and all of you can continue to check out the kinds of things we're talking about. I'll post assignments at the bottom of each blog.

The French and Indian War -- 1754 and 1763

The first major event of the war was in 1754, when a Virginia major named George Washington, was sent to negotiate boundaries with the French. Washington stumbled upon the French about 40 miles before reaching Fort Duquesne. In the ensuing skirmish, an officer named Joseph Coulon de Jumonville was among French casualties, news of which would have certainly provoked a strong French response. Washington pulled back several miles and established Fort Necessity. The French attacked this position on July 4, forcing Washington to negotiate a withdrawal under arms.

FORT NECESSITY

Muskets fired at a recreation of the Fort Necessity Stockade for the documentary "George Washington Remembers." George Washington defended the makeshift fort against a French-allied Native American attack.

http://cdn.dipity.com/uploads/events/7f35b5b6285f192a36d498e8ab725270_1M.png

BATTLE OF THE MONONGAHELA, AKA BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS -- July 9, 1755

Soon after the defeat at Fort Necessity, Britain learned that 78 French troops had been deployed to attack the British fort Oswego, in Canada. The British Parliament responded by providing more money to the colonies to fund an expanded militia. They also sent British regiments to the colonies. In February 1755, the first British general to ever set foot in the colonies, Edward Braddock, arrived in Virginia to take charge. Braddock had had 45 years of experience in European style warfare, but was completely ignorant of how to fight in the North American wilderness. Here, “Indian fighting” took the place of formal, face-to-face combat. 

Upon his arrival, Braddock developed a three-part strategy for defeating the French. (1) The Massachusetts regiments were sent to reinforce the defenses at Oswego, and to capture Fort Niagara on the south shore of Lake Erie. (2) Colonel William Johnson was assigned to capture Fort Frederick at Crown Point, on the banks of Lake Champlain. (30 Braddock himself was to take Fort Duquesne in Pennsylvania.

 

On July 9, 1755, Braddock's men crossed the Monongahela without opposition, about ten miles south of Fort Duquesne. The advance guard of 300 Grenadiers and colonials with two cannon under Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Gage began to move ahead, and unexpectedly came upon the French and Indians, who were hurrying to the river. The Battle of the Monongahela, or the Battle of the Wilderness, was officially begun.

 http://www.themoralliberal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/washington-praying11.jpg

The battle for Fort Duquesne was the first significant battle of 1755. Although the British outnumbered the French by more than two to one (2,200 men to 1,000 men), they were easily defeated.  British soldiers under Braddock were marching in formal columns toward the Monongahela River when they were ambushed by the French and their Indian allies, attacking them under cover of trees and rocks.  Braddock would not allow his men to break ranks and seek cover as they were fired upon by this invisible enemy.  977 British soldiers were killed that day, while only 9 French soldiers lost their lives. Braddock was mortally wounded.

 http://groupebelisaire.free.fr/images/grandderangement%20.jpg

THE ACADIANS' DEPORTATION -- 1754 

 

The Acadians are the descendants of the French who settled in Acadia located in the Canadian Maritime provinces Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and in the US state of Maine. Acadia was founded in a region geographically separate from Quebec, Québecers and Acadians have different culture. But during the deportation many refugees move in Québec, today almost all Québecers can say they have a Acadian ancestor. In the Great Expulsion of 1755-1763, mostly during the Seven Years' War, British colonial officers, New England legislators and militia deported more than 14,000 Acadians from the maritime region.

 

Many later settled in Louisiana, where they became known as Cajuns. University of Maine at Fort Kent history professor Roger Paradis said that this was a clear case of ethnic cleansing and genocide because, an attempt was made to make French Acadians disappear by scattering them throughout the 13 colonies. It was unnecessarily cruel in the sense that ships were overloaded, which resulted in disease, death, and the sinking of vessels. Families were broken up and the Acadians were sent to an alien and unfriendly land of exile.

~

ASSIGNMENTS:


 Social Studies, Grades 5 & 6 -- Introduction to the French and Indian War

• Fort Necessity Cloze, due tomorrow (May 2)

Language Arts, Grade 6 -- POETRY EXHIBITION PROJECT --

• Vocabulary words/definitions/examples (due Friday, May 4)
• Find poem to read aloud. Practice, practice so that you read it well.
• Independent Poetry packet (also due Friday, May 4)

Language Arts, Grade 5 -- Tying up loose ends

• Finish List Poem (It was due yesterday!)
• Complete Fort Necessity Cloze (due Tuesday, May 2)
• Work on PPPs