Lesson Plan

Choosing Sides: Loyalist v. Patriot

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Grade Level:
Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Subject:
Social Studies
Lesson Duration:
30 Minutes
State Standards:
4.H.1.4 Analyze North Carolina’s role in major conflicts and wars from the Pre-colonial period through Reconstruction.

Essential Question

Why did colonists choose to side with the loyalists or patriots?

Objective

The student will know that various groups and individuals played in major conflicts and wars.

Background

Students are examining 2 groups of the colonists and their views leading into the American Revolution. The lesson allows for two student volunteers to participate in roles, while the remainder of the class will listen the volunteers’ reasons to side with them. The end of the lesson involves the entire class choosing a side they like and allows them to see the differences between a loyalist and a patriot. 

Preparation

Students will need prior knowledge of:

  • The view of English rule on the 13 Colonies divided Americans
  • The American Revolution caused Americans to fight against other Americans

Materials

This document contains important information for teachers before proceeding with the lesson

Download Background Document for Teachers

This document contains scripts for both colonist A and colonist B

Download Scripts

This document can be given to students to help them vote.

Download Student Handout

Procedure

  1. Teacher should assign/volunteer two students to portray Colonist A and Colonist B.
  2. Both students are given their script to practice and will perform a brief “campaign ad” in front of the entire class.
  3.  Both colonists will need to dress in character. Colonist A will wear the colonial wig and Colonist B the tricorn hat.
  4. When both students are ready pass out the document “Which will you choose?” to all students.
  5. Colonist A will read his/her script to the entire class.
  6. Colonist B will read his/her script to the entire class.
  7. Teacher will review what each student will gain or lose from each side when they join. (Refer to the student handout “Which will you choose?”). Also, the teacher can answer any clarifying questions for the students.
  8. Have all students to brief write down their answer in the column on their handout “Which side would you choose and why?”
  9. Option: Students can share their reasons out loud or share with a partner.
  10.  Teacher will conduct a vote on which colonist’s side they would most likely join.
  11. Teacher will reveal to the class the identity of Colonist A (Loyalist) and Colonist B (Patriot).
Teacher will share the information of who made up these two groups of people from the background document for teachers to the class.

Vocabulary

Loyalist- a colonist who supported the crown/king of England
Patriot- a colonist who rejected British rule over the colonies during the American Revolution

Additional Resources

Materials you will need:
 

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Tags: loyalist patriot american revolution

Last updated: September 22, 2023