Grade 8 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 2, Lesson 3

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
A More Perfect Union

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 2, Lesson 3: Fighting the American Revolution (pp. 62-70)

The Big Idea
Framework Concept: Conflict After many hard battles, and with the help of France, the colonists won the war for independence.

Review the key battles of the Revolutionary War. Point out how winning these battles changed the outcome of the war. Be sure students understand the role of the French in the United States victory.

Discuss with students the problems the Continental Army faced: better trained and better equipped British forces, little or no money for supplies, etc. Ask students what they think kept the army going through such difficulties.

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

Have students write a letter home as a soldier spending the winter in Valley Forge in 1777-1778.
Have students draw a picture depicting the reasons Benjamin Franklin would have given the French for joining the war on the colonists' side.

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