Grade 5 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 11, Lesson 1

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
America Will Be

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 11, Lesson 1: Forming a New Government (pp. 260-265)

The Big Idea
Framework Concept: Change and Conflict The American colonies form their own government and declare independence from Britain.

Ask students to discuss reasons why a country needs government. Then ask them why they think the colonists had to form a new government when they went to war with Great Britain. Have them mention specific tasks the government would have in a new country that is fighting against a well-established country (issue money, raise an army, get supplies for soldiers).

Lesson Outline
Use the Lesson Outline to preview the content of the lesson. You may wish to print it for your students as a guide during reading.

Check for Understanding

Remind students Thomas Jefferson attended the Second Continental Congress. Ask them to compose a letter he would write home explaining what he is doing in Philadelphia.
Have students look at the paper money issued by Congress on p. 263 then ask them to design their own money for the new American government. Have them use symbols that represent the land, people, or hopes of the American colonies.

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