Virginia SOL 2.7

2.7 is a Standards of Learning history and social science standard. These are the skills expectations under it.

• 2.7.a

  John Adams

• 2.7.b

  Benjamin Franklin

• 2.7.c

  Alexander Hamilton

• 2.7.d

  Patrick Henry

• 2.7.e

  Thomas Jefferson

• 2.7.f

  James Madison (known as the “Father of the Constitution”)

• 2.7.g

  Paul Revere

• 2.7.h

  George Washington (known as the “Father of our Country”).

01

What Students Need to Do

Students identify key revolutionaries and describe how each helped the colonies seek freedom. They sort contributions into roles such as military leadership, writing, speeches, warnings, diplomacy, and government leadership.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

Students can match each person to a specific action or role. They can explain that people supported independence in different ways, not only by fighting as soldiers.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may think every revolutionary was a soldier or served as president during the war. They often confuse Revere’s warning ride, Henry’s speech, Jefferson’s writing, Franklin’s diplomacy, and Washington’s military leadership. They may also treat honorary titles as official jobs.

04

How to Assess It

Give an exit ticket with Washington, Jefferson, Revere, and Franklin beside four contribution statements. Students match them, then explain how one person helped America gain freedom.

1. 01

   Have pairs match portrait cards to action cards, then sort the people by military leadership, writing, speeches, warnings, diplomacy, or government leadership.

2. 02

   Ask, “Did only soldiers help America gain freedom?” Students name Washington and two nonmilitary revolutionaries in a three-sentence response.

3. 03

   Play Who Am I using clue cards about each person’s actions, with students naming the revolutionary and explaining the clue.

4. 04

   Compare Revere’s warning system with a school emergency alert, then discuss how fast communication helps groups respond to danger.

• USI.5

  The student will apply history and social science skills to explain the social, political, religious, economic, and geographic factors that shaped colonial Amer...

• USI.6

  The student will apply history and social science skills to explain the American Revolution by

• VS.5

  The student will apply history and social science skills to explain Virginia and Virginians’ role during the American Revolution by

• 2.8

  The student will apply history and social science skills to understand the principles of American democracy and relate them to the founding of the nation by