$5 - $10 8th Grade Informational Text Independent Work Packet (by date, oldest first)

Revolutionary Insights: Comprehension Bundle on the American Revolution

Dive Deep into America's Founding with our comprehensive reading comprehension bundle! 20 engaging articles explore the seeds of discontent, pivotal battles, inspiring leaders, and the birth of a new nation. Students grapple with primary sources, guided readings, and interactive exercises, fostering a deeper understanding of this transformative era. Explore taxation woes, the Boston Tea Party, the hardships of Valley Forge, and the challenges of forming a new government. Boost student comprehension and elevate classroom discussions with "Revolutionary Insights"!

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze key events and factors leading to the American Revolution.
• Evaluate the impact of taxation without representation on colonial resistance.
• Examine the significance of battles like Lexington & Concord and Saratoga.
• Understand the challenges faced by the Continental Army and early American government.
• Recognize the contributions of diverse groups, including women and Loyalists, to the Revolutionary cause.

Recommended Common Core Standards:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.2
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.9

Uncover the Revolutionary Journey (Articles 1-20):
1. Seeds of Revolution: Tensions Before the Fight: Explore the roots of discontent, focusing on taxation, representation, and ideological rifts with Britain. Students analyze primary sources to grasp the escalating tensions.

2. Taxation Without Representation: Sparks of Rebellion: Investigate the Stamp Act, the Boston Tea Party, and colonial resistance efforts. Students compare British taxation methods to understand colonial grievances.

3. Intolerable Acts: Tightening the Grip: Delve into the Coercive Acts' impact on colonial unity and resistance. Students analyze the Acts' provisions and effectiveness from multiple perspectives.

4. Lexington & Concord: The Shot Heard Round the World: Investigate the Battles of Lexington and Concord and their significance in igniting the Revolutionary War. Students trace military movements and strategies.

5. Washington Leads: Commander-in-Chief: Examine George Washington's leadership challenges as head of the Continental Army. Students compare his leadership style with other Revolutionary figures.

6. Saratoga's Turning Point: A Colonial Victory: Analyze the Battle of Saratoga and its role in securing foreign aid for the colonists. Students assess the strategies of key military figures.

7. Winter at Valley Forge: Testing Resolve: Explore the hardships faced by the Continental Army during the winter of 1777-1778. Students evaluate Washington's leadership strategies for maintaining morale.

8. Winning Freedom: The Treaty of Paris: Examine the Treaty's provisions and significance in ending the Revolutionary War. Students identify key terms and discuss its implications.

9. A New Nation: The Constitution's Birth: Investigate the challenges of forming a new government and the compromises of the Constitutional Convention. Students analyze different forms of government.

10. Challenges of Liberty: Building a Nation: Examine early challenges in establishing the United States, including governance and economic issues. Students discuss potential solutions.

11. Hidden Figures: Women of the Revolution: Recognize the contributions of women in various roles during the Revolution. Students explore biographies and present findings.

12. From Farmer to Soldier: Minutemen on the Move: Explore the role of Minutemen in early battles and their significance to the colonial cause. Students compare militia to standing armies.

13. Propaganda & Persuasion: Shaping Public Opinion: Investigate the use of propaganda by both sides during the Revolution. Students analyze persuasive techniques in primary sources.

14. Foreign Aid: France Joins the Fight: Examine France's motivations and contributions to the Revolutionary cause. Students analyze the complex Franco-British relationship.

15. Financing the Revolution: A Costly Struggle: Explore the financial challenges faced by the Continental Congress and the impact of war financing methods. Students assess effectiveness.

16. Loyalists: Divided Loyalties in a New Nation: Examine the experiences of Loyalists and their challenges post-war. Students analyze reasons for loyalty and its consequences.

17. Battlefield Medicine: Treating the Wounded: Explore the limited medical practices of the Revolutionary era and the challenges of battlefield medicine. Students compare to modern practices.

18. Prisoners of War: Captives and Controversy: Investigate the treatment of prisoners of war and the complexities of exchange. Students analyze experiences on both sides.

19. The Home Front: Daily Life During War: Explore the role of civilians in supporting the Revolutionary cause. Students assess contributions and impacts on daily life.

Revolutionary Insights: Comprehension Bundle on the American Revolution

20. Spies & Secrets: Espionage in the Revolution: Examine the role of espionage in gathering intelligence for both sides. Students discuss the dangers and importance of espionage.

Assessment & Differentiation:

• Each article includes multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer questions to assess comprehension and critical thinking.
• Answer keys are provided for efficient grading.
• The variety of question formats caters to diverse learning styles.

Bring History to Life!
"Revolutionary Insights" is designed to engage students in a meaningful exploration of the American Revolution. By grappling with primary sources, analyzing events from multiple perspectives, and considering the experiences of diverse groups, students develop a rich understanding of this pivotal period in history.

Ready to unlock your students' critical thinking potential? Explore my store, More Lessons, Less Planning, for a treasure trove of reading comprehensions that tackle diverse themes and inspire insightful discussions. From historical mysteries to scientific explorations, there's something for every classroom!

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Do you want to help your students learn about African American history? Do you want to support diversity and an inclusive classroom? Then download this no prep Black History Month Activity a Research WebQuest resource! This no-prep, editable, in-class, and digital activity is an online scavenger hunt of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture!

This activity allows students to learn about the museum's collection in a fun and engaging manner. Played individually or in small groups, this WebQuest includes items to find, stories to read, and reflection questions.

Students will explore the museum (either virtually or in person!) to further their understanding of the following:

• Frederick Douglass
• Harriet Tubman
• The Tulsa Race Riot
• Emmett Till
• Emancipation Proclamation
• Buffalo Soldiers
• Significance of August 28
• Black Panthers
• Million Man March
• Little Rock
• Music, sports, and much more!

➟ How you can use this resource:

• This can be completed in one full 45-minute class
• Great for meaningful homework OR extra credit
• Makes for a great sub plan

➟ This resource includes:

• WebQuest/scavenger hunt (The URLs provided in this WebQuest are not 'live.' They are kept very simple so that students can easily type the URLs in the search bar to hunt for their answers). Text boxes are all set, ready to go!
• Editable copy of the same WebQuest
• Instructions, reflection questions, and an answer key
• Live links are provided on the last page of the resource
• Website evaluation form
• Terms of Use

✈️ Click here to follow A World to Explore Store and be the first to know about brand new games and activities!

❤ Other Resources You'll LOVE:

• Black History Month Activity WebQuest of Achievements
• Black History Month WebQuest BUNDLE
• Black History Month Activity People in STEM

Additional WebQuests:

• Hispanic Heritage Month Activity WebQuest
• Hispanic-Heritage-Month-Bulletin-Board-Classroom-Decor
• Persian New Year "Nowruz" Activity WebQuest
• Ramadan WebQuest
• Arab American Heritage Activity WebQuest
• Asian American and Pacific Islander Activity WEBQUEST
• Juneteenth Activity
• Hispanic Flag Posters
• Natural Disasters Activity a no prep WEBQUEST
• Natural Disasters Trivia for Middle and High School
• Natural Disasters Activity Bundle WebQuest & 3 Trivia Games
• Endangered Animal WebQuest

Are you looking for an engaging way to learn about African American history and culture? Are you struggling to motivate your students to learn? Then download this no prep and editable BUNDLE Black History Month Research Activity! Included is a WebQuest of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture and WebQuest of African American Achievements! This research activity is perfect for Black History Month, small group instruction, substitute plans, homework, and more!

When you purchase this resource, you'll receive the activities in both print and digital formats. The research questions provided allow for scaffolded instruction that can be completed individually, in pairs, or in small groups. You can even use this lesson as a fun team-building or gamified activity. Your students are guaranteed to learn more about winter holidays with this high-quality, no-prep resource! Please re-download this resource every year to ensure you are receiving the most updated copy.

WebQuest of African American Achievements

Students will learn about some of the achievements of African Americans engaged in politics, medicine, STEM, the arts, sports, business, and more.

WebQuest of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture

This engaging WebQuest scavenger hunt will take you on an exploration of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture. Played individually or in small groups, this WebQuest includes items to find, stories to read, and reflection questions.

Students will explore the museum (either virtually or in person!) to further their understanding of the following:

• Frederick Douglass
• Harriet Tubman
• The Tulsa Race Riot
• Emmett Till
• Emancipation Proclamation
• Buffalo Soldiers
• Significance of August 28
• Black Panthers
• Million Man March
• Little Rock
• Music, sports, and much more!

➟ Ways to Use This Resource:

• Full Class Activity
• Small Group Instruction
• Homework
• Extra Credit
• Substitute Plan
• ... and more!

➟ This Resource Includes:

• 2 WebQuests (Print, Digital, and Editable Formats)
• Instructions, Reflection Questions, Answer Key
• Live links are provided on the last page of the resource
• Website evaluation form
• Terms of Use

✈️ Click here to follow A World to Explore Store and be the first to know about brand new games and activities!

❤ Other Resources You'll LOVE:

• Black History Month Activity WebQuest of Achievements
• Black History Month WebQuest BUNDLE
• Black History Month Activity People in STEM

Additional WebQuests:

• Hispanic Heritage Month Activity WebQuest
• Hispanic-Heritage-Month-Bulletin-Board-Classroom-Decor
• Persian New Year "Nowruz" Activity WebQuest
• Ramadan WebQuest
• Arab American Heritage Activity WebQuest
• Asian American and Pacific Islander Activity WEBQUEST
• Juneteenth Activity
• Hispanic Flag Posters
• Natural Disasters Activity a no prep WEBQUEST
• Natural Disasters Trivia for Middle and High School
• Natural Disasters Activity Bundle WebQuest & 3 Trivia Games
• Endangered Animal WebQuest