Inquiries Filed Under:

Heros of the American Revolution

About the inquiry

This inquiry leads 5th-grade students through an investigation of the American Revolution and the varying impacts of individuals who could be deemed heroes based on their impact. The compelling question, “What defines a hero?” allows students to consider all the actions of an individual and if they think that they are worthy of the title of hero. Students will review the featured sources and complete the formative performance tasks to gather evidence for analyzing and forming different points of view of varying humans during the American Revolution period, as well as contemporary sources to develop their own definition of what a hero is. Students interact with all the sources to develop their own understanding of heroism, as well as various perspectives of historical figures and individuals, specifically those from the American Revolution era.

Compelling Question

What defines a Hero?

Staging Question

Analyze a video, a comic book, or an image of a superhero students will recognize. After sharing, discuss the actions of superheroes in superhero movies and comics and what makes them heroic. Create a list of what makes a superhero a hero. Introduce the compelling question “What defines a hero?” and have students create a list of heroes from the Revolutionary War.

Supporting Question

What do heroes look like?

Formative Tasks

Draw what students think a hero looks like and discuss with the class the characteristics of a hero.

Sources

Source A (Task inspiration): What does a scientist look like? Source B: Pay it Forward from Fox 4 News Kansas City

Supporting Question

Do heroes only do good?

Formative Tasks

Complete a graphic organizer detailing the positive and negative impacts of varying famous individuals during the American Revolution.

Sources

Source A: Signers of the Declaration of Independence Source B (research): National Geographic Kids Source C (research): Britannica School

Supporting Question

Can there be everyday heroes?

Formative Tasks

Write a brief caption for a photo that would be seen in a newspaper describing the positive or negative impacts of an everyday person during the American Revolution.

Sources

Source A (optional): Heroes of Mauí Source B: Women of Revolution Source C: Declaration of Independence signers Source D: ReadWorks Non-Colonists in the American Revolution:

Summative Performance Task

No data found.

Taking Informed Action

No data found.

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