American Revolution Newspaper

Task

The American Revolution was a difficult time in American history.  Colonists fought against their own government to secure independence in order to create the United States of America.  Your task will be to design a newspaper that highlights several important aspects of the American Revolution.  Your stories should be based on facts from researching this time period.

Process

Review the criteria for each section below and write a story for your newspaper after researching the various topics.  Your stories will be entered into the newspaper template provided.

Revolutionary War Battle Story
Choose one of the major battles of the Revolutionary War and write a summary that includes:
  • answers to the 5 "W" questions (who, what, why, when, where)
  • a description of the action
  • key participants from the American and British side
  • date and specific location of the battle
  • which side won the battle
Locate a photo and write a caption that will describe the battle.
 

Suggested battles:
Lexington   Concord Fort Ticonderoga Bunker Hill
Long Island Trenton Princeton Brandywine
Saratoga Monmouth Savannah  Yorktown

Revolutionary War Leader Story
Choose one of the leaders of the Revolutionary War and write a summary that includes:
  • which side the leader supported
  • a summary of their major accomplishments
  • a description of how their life ended
    •
    Locate a photo and write a caption that will describe the leader.

    Suggested Leaders:
    George Washington Joseph Martin John Burgoyne Edward Braddock
    Benedict Arnold Charles Cornwallis King George III Samuel Adams
    Nathaniel Greene Ethan Allen Thomas Jefferson John Paul Jones

    Unsung Hero Story
    Choose a group or an individual that played a key role during the American Revolution that may not have received the attention they deserved. Describe the key people that were involved and any accomplishments they are remembered for.

    Suggested topics:
    Women Native Americans African Americans

    Revolutionary War Facts
    Based on your research, choose ten facts about the war that you think others may learn from and find very interesting. Your facts should be written in complete sentences and provide specific details that carefully describe your selection.

    Revolutionary War Quotations
    Choose two quotations and their authors that will be remembered during the American Revolution.

    Free Choice Option
    Choose one topic of your choice to research. You may choose to write a summary of your topic or include a photo with a caption to describe your topic.
     

    Suggested topics:
    music uniforms flags weapons

    Resources

    The following links are only suggested as a starting point for your research.  You are not required to select your information from one of the links below.  You are welcome to do an Internet search for your topic, consult the resources in our library, and/or utilize your social studies textbook.
    Yahooligans American Revolution The History Place American Revolution
    Timeline of the American Revolution Little Known Facts About the American Revolutionary War
    Deborah Sampson: Revolutionary War Soldier Spy Letters of the American Revolution
    Women's Military History The Price They Paid
    American Revolution Collection Music of the Revolutionary War
    Chronicle of the Revolution

    Weapons of the American Revolution

    Loyalist and British Songs and Poetry American Revolution Pictures

    Uniforms of the American Revolution

    		Famous Obituaries of Revolutionary War People
    Weapons Used During the American Revolution Voices of the American Revolution
    Virtual Marching Tour of the American Revolution Quotes of Our Founding Fathers

    American Revolution Newspaper Evaluation
    Revolutionary War Battle Story /20 points
    • answers the 5 "W" questions
      (who, what, why, when, where)
    • includes a description of the action
    • includes key participants from the American and British side
    • includes date and specific location of the battle
    • includes which side won the battle
    • uses correct grammar and spelling
      •
    		 
    Revolutionary War Leader Story  /20 points
  • includes which side the leader supported
  • includes a summary of their major accomplishments
  • describes how their life ended
  • uses correct grammar and spelling
    •      		 
    Revolutionary War Unsung Hero Story /20 points
    • includes a description of the accomplishments of an individual or a group that did not have a major role during the war
    • uses correct grammar and spelling
    		  
    Revolutionary War Facts /20 points
    • includes ten complete sentences that provide specific details about events that happened during this time period
    • uses correct grammar and spelling
    		  
    Revolutionary War Quotations /5 points
    • includes two appropriate quotations and their authors
    • uses correct grammar and spelling
    		  
    Photos and Captions /5 points
    • photos and captions enhance the news story
    • uses correct grammar and spelling
    		  
    Free Choice Option /10 points
    • includes a summary of a topic or a photo with a caption describing the topic
    • uses correct grammar and spelling
    		  
    Total Score /100 points
    MS Word American Revolution Newspaper Evaluation Form  

    Conclusion
    Congratulations, your published newspaper has provided the colonists information about a variety of events that occurred during the American Revolution.  The events you detailed provide the highlights of a very important time in American history.  In addition, you have strengthened your research, writing,  and technology skills.