Grade 5 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 11, Lesson 2

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
America Will Be

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 11, Lesson 2: Fighting the War (pp. 268-274)

The Big Idea
Framework Concept: Conflict The Americans overcome many disadvantages to defeat the British.

Read aloud with students the description of Valley Forge on pages 269-270 of their text. Ask students to make a list on the board of hardships that the Continental Army faced during the winter at Valley Forge (inexperienced soldiers, worn-out clothing, poor food, sickness, no permanent buildings). Then make a list of strengths of the Continental Army (good leadership, belief in their cause, hit-and-run strategy, help from France). Discuss how their strengths could overcome some of their weaknesses and help them win the war.

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

Ask pairs of students to pick one of two important battles -- Saratoga or Yorktown -- and have one student act as an interviewer and the other student act as someone who was at the battle. Ask the pair to read the description of the battle in their text and then come up with five questions and answers about the battle that they can present as an interview in front of the class.
Groups of students can make a mural of the surrender of General Cornwallis to General Washington.

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