The Colonial Newsletter

An Interdisciplinary WebQuest for 7^th Grade

English and Social Studies Students

By Bernadette Bookmiller and

Elizabeth Brown
 

Introduction| Task| Process| Evaluation| Conclusion| Other Points to Ponder

Introduction

It is 1780, and the war between the new United States and Great Britain rages on. You are an apprentice to a printer. You have been chosen to write and design a special insert about the American Revolution for your weekly newspaper. If you do an outstanding job, you will be able to marry into the family and inherit this very profitable business!

The Task

Your task is to create a special edition newsletter that includes each of following pieces:

• A news article about the American OR British camps at Saratoga

• A feature article about the intriguing methods used by the American and British spy networks

• A biographical sketch about an American patriot

• An editorial about a major cause that contributed to the outbreak of the American Revolution

• A cartoon that illustrates your humorous point of view about the revolution 

• An opinion poll graph

The Process

Step 1|Step 2|Step 3|Step 4|Step 5|Step 6|
Step 7

Step 1: News Article. Visit either the American or British camps at Saratoga, and record observations of your experience.

Click here for Camp Visit

Step 2: Feature Article. Investigate the secret spy networks used by the American and British intelligence couriers.

Click here for Spy Information

Step 3: Biographical Sketch. Learn about the life of a patriot, and report on their contributions to the cause of American liberty.

Click here for Biographical Information

Step 4: Editorial. Strongly state your opinion about one of the major causes of the Revolution.

Click here for Editorial Information

Step 5: Political Cartoon. View historic illustrations about the American Revolution, then create your own political cartoon that illustrates your perspective.

Click here for Political Cartoon

Step 6: Opinion Poll. Query your colleagues about the origin of the Revolution, and graph the results.  

Click here for Opinion Poll

Step 7: The Newsletter Wizard. At last! You are ready to publish the articles you’ve worked so hard to create.

Click here for Newsletter Wizard instructions
 

Evaluation

Click here for English Grading Rubric

Click here for Social Studies Grading Rubric
 

Conclusion

As a result of this project and learning unit, you will have a better understanding of the causes, process, and controversy regarding the American Revolution. You will have had an opportunity to view and contemplate conflicting points of view. You also will have a better sense of the ways people of lived during this time period. Lastly, you will have experienced the process of composing a newsletter.

Other Points to Ponder

Do you think that a revolution of this magnitude would be possible today?

Compare the fighting methods and technology used during the Revolution to modern warfare techniques.

How has medical technology changed the physical impact of war?