Oklahoma Social Studies 8.C.1.4.A
The Standard
- 8.C.1
- Analyze the foundations of the United States of America by examining the causes, events, and ideologies which led to the American Revolution.
- 8.C.1.4
- Analyze how the Second Continental Congress functioned as the de facto national government, uniting colonial response.
Describe how the congress successfully formed the Continental Army, directed military strategy, established a national currency, and negotiated a foreign alliance with France.
Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies (2026) · 8.C.1.4
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students explain how the Continental Congress built an army, made war plans, printed money, and gained French support. They connect each decision to a need during the war.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students can name Washington's appointment, the approved invasion of Canada, Continental currency, and the 1778 alliance with France. They can explain how French money, troops, and ships helped the war effort.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think Washington created the army on his own or that Congress commanded troops in battle. They may assume Continental money held its value or that France joined the war from the start.
How to Assess It
- On an exit ticket, give four headings: army, strategy, money, and France. Under each, students write one congressional action and how it helped the war effort.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Pairs sort cards labeled Washington's appointment, Canada invasion, Continental dollar, and 1778 French treaty under army, strategy, currency, and alliance.
Ask: Which congressional decision most changed the war? Use the Saratoga and French alliance timeline to support your answer.
Label four corners army, strategy, currency, and alliance; read action cards aloud and have students move to the matching corner.
Compare a Continental dollar image with a current dollar; ask why an army needs money and what happens when currency loses value.
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Related Standards
- 8.C.2.3.A
Compare military strength and available resources, including financial support from private individuals and allied nations, as well as French support negotiated...
- 8.C.2
Examine key military and diplomatic events of the Revolutionary War that resulted in an independent nation.
- 5.C.4.4.B
Describe the Continental Army’s victory at Trenton, exemplified by Washington’s military leadership against professional British and Hessian troops.
- 8.C.1.4
Analyze how the Second Continental Congress functioned as the de facto national government, uniting colonial response.
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