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The Real Story of the American Revolution

Educational Themes on the American Revolution

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Latest Changes: 07May16 - Lawrence award / 07Sep06 - reorganized resources by grade level / 07Sep30 - put theme links first /

Discovering Liberty What does this word mean and why is it an issue in our lives from birth to death? How did the concept arise, how was it embedded in governance documents over the centuries, and why did it become such a critical issue for Americans in the mid-1700s?
Acquiring Liberty What was the experience of other groups that sought to move from tyranny to liberty during the century beginning in 1750? How did those conflicts develop; did they rely on outside assistance to achieve their goals? For those that succceeded -- how were the principles of liberty expressed in the resulting constitution, and how long did the new government persist. For those that failed -- what were the main causes of failure and how did those affect the next struggle for liberty in that nation?
Why can't we enjoy liberty without putting effort into defending it? Why would anyone want to deprive us of liberty? What are the safeguards that were placed in the Constitution to block their efforts? Have they been tested and found to work well?
Resources for Teachers
(and students)
Grades K-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Curricula and Lesson Plans Curricula, lesson plans, graphics (maps, drawings, portraits), on-line games, audio files of history presentations and colonial music, books and documents on-line, virtual tours and group trips to historic sites, multiple-choice quizzes, classroom projects, materials for self-study, video, CDs, DVDs, etc. The theme sections below may help you to understand the founding of our nation and to present the major themes with confidence and zest!
Welcome New Citizens
(and prospective citizens) To fully appreciate the privileges and responsibilities of this great nation an adult citizen should know the main features of the structure and operation of the government of the United States as well as something about the officials who represent him/her in the House, Senate, and the Executive Branch.
This Web site is concerned with the establishment of the U.S. Constitution -- why American colonists fought to be free from Great Britain and what they wrote into the Constitution to prevent the United States from slipping unto the unrestrained abuse of power that had caused the American Revolution. You should learn about this, also. So after reading the New Citizens page, please look at the three theme sections below.
Scholarships and Awards
for Teachers The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History provides
A -- History Teacher of the Year Award at the state and national levels for K-6 teachers who have responsibility for teaching American history.
B -- History Scholarships (15 are given annually) receive a stipend of $2,200, along with room, board, and travel expenses for a five-week program in New York City.
The Tom and Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award (through the Sons of the American Revolution) is a national contest for social studies teachers whose curriculum includes the Revolutionary War era (from 1750 to 1800). Applicants must teach at the middle or high school level at a recognized public, private, or parochial institution. The award consists of a transportation subsidy of up to $400.00 for a trip to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, to attend the Freedoms Foundation Summer Teacher Graduate Workshop -- which will provide tuition, room, and board. The workshop provides a professional educational experience and an opportunity to bring back to the classroom a heightened level of creativity and enthusiasm for the American Revolutionary era.
For details see www.sar.org/history/Lawrence.html

Questions? Contact

Discovering Liberty	What does this word mean and why is it an issue in our lives from birth to death? How did the concept arise, how was it embedded in governance documents over the centuries, and why did it become such a critical issue for Americans in the mid-1700s?
Acquiring Liberty	What was the experience of other groups that sought to move from tyranny to liberty during the century beginning in 1750? How did those conflicts develop; did they rely on outside assistance to achieve their goals? For those that succceeded -- how were the principles of liberty expressed in the resulting constitution, and how long did the new government persist. For those that failed -- what were the main causes of failure and how did those affect the next struggle for liberty in that nation?
	Why can't we enjoy liberty without putting effort into defending it? Why would anyone want to deprive us of liberty? What are the safeguards that were placed in the Constitution to block their efforts? Have they been tested and found to work well?
Resources for Teachers (and students) Grades K-5 Grades 6-8 Grades 9-12 Curricula and Lesson Plans	Curricula, lesson plans, graphics (maps, drawings, portraits), on-line games, audio files of history presentations and colonial music, books and documents on-line, virtual tours and group trips to historic sites, multiple-choice quizzes, classroom projects, materials for self-study, video, CDs, DVDs, etc. The theme sections below may help you to understand the founding of our nation and to present the major themes with confidence and zest!
Welcome New Citizens (and prospective citizens)	To fully appreciate the privileges and responsibilities of this great nation an adult citizen should know the main features of the structure and operation of the government of the United States as well as something about the officials who represent him/her in the House, Senate, and the Executive Branch. This Web site is concerned with the establishment of the U.S. Constitution -- why American colonists fought to be free from Great Britain and what they wrote into the Constitution to prevent the United States from slipping unto the unrestrained abuse of power that had caused the American Revolution. You should learn about this, also. So after reading the New Citizens page, please look at the three theme sections below.
Scholarships and Awards for Teachers	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History provides A -- History Teacher of the Year Award at the state and national levels for K-6 teachers who have responsibility for teaching American history. B -- History Scholarships (15 are given annually) receive a stipend of $2,200, along with room, board, and travel expenses for a five-week program in New York City. The Tom and Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award (through the Sons of the American Revolution) is a national contest for social studies teachers whose curriculum includes the Revolutionary War era (from 1750 to 1800). Applicants must teach at the middle or high school level at a recognized public, private, or parochial institution. The award consists of a transportation subsidy of up to $400.00 for a trip to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, to attend the Freedoms Foundation Summer Teacher Graduate Workshop -- which will provide tuition, room, and board. The workshop provides a professional educational experience and an opportunity to bring back to the classroom a heightened level of creativity and enthusiasm for the American Revolutionary era. For details see www.sar.org/history/Lawrence.html