Whether you’re teaching in the classroom or online, covering the American Revolution can be challenging. The themes are complex, the conflicts are bloody, and the history of the central figures themselves can be controversial. To help you bring this important moment in America’s story to life, here are 15 websites and activities to teach kids about the Revolutionary War.
1. Scholastic’s Revolutionary War Teaching Tools
Head back to the 1700s with these resources that help kids build important knowledge about the American Revolution.
2. PBS Liberty! Teacher Guide
The Liberty! Teacher’s Guide is designed to fully engage students in the six-part PBS series LIBERTY! THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
3. American Revolution Lesson Plans & Activities
Create a revolutionary experience in your classroom with these lesson plans and activities.
4. Join the Revolution!
Invite your students to follow the progress of the American Revolution—from that first battle to the final surrender—by participating in some Revolutionary War activities.
5. Revolutionary War Activities
The hands-on approach to learning through the components of this resource will surely help your students learn and understand the cause/effect relationships of events in this period of history!
6. Ansel and Clair Ride with Paul Revere
History lessons package content with style and interactivity to help kids connect with Paul Revere’s story.
7. Revolutionary War Timeline Posters
Timelines can be a confusing concept for younger students, but this resource includes 16 photo posters and timeline activities to help students visualize and connect to the events of the Revolutionary War.
8. American Revolution Institute Lesson Plans
The American Revolution Institute’s lesson plans align with Common Core and explore the importance of various people, events, and ideas of the American Revolution. It also emphasizes the use of primary sources to study history.
9. American Revolution Battles in the North
These hands-on activities teach students about the American Revolution Victory in Trenton, the Battle of Saratoga, the attempt to capture the American Capital, the Winter at Valley Forge, and France’s help to end the American Revolution.
10. American Revolution Battles in the South
These interactive activities teach kids about the Revolutionary War battles at Fort Moultrie, the Invasion of Charleston, the Battle of Camden, Rebels in the South, the Surrender at Yorktown, and the Treaty of Paris.
11. The American Revolution
These lecture notes, labs, and activities will help bring your Revolutionary War lessons to life.
12. Role Playing the American Revolution
This role-play activity will help students understand the idea of Taxation Without Representation and why the American colonists were upset with British tax laws.
13. Revolutionary War: A Dear America Activity
Scholastic’s thought-provoking activity offers students a fascinating look at how Americans lived during the Revolutionary War.
14. Tea, Taxes, and The American Revolution
Crash Course covers the issues and events that precipitated rebellion in Britain’s American colonies and also explores the ideas that laid the groundwork for the new American democracy.
15. American Revolution Bundle
This bundle highlights the causes, battles, important people, and results of the American Revolutionary War. Also includes a digital version for Google Classroom.
Plus check out 15 Activities & Websites to Teach Kids About Historical Timelines.
If these ideas inspired you, join our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group and come talk with the very teachers who suggested them!