Subscribe

5th grade · Social Studies · Unit 4 of 6

The American Revolution

Independence and the war

What your child practices

The Declaration of Independence and its ideals, key battles from Lexington to Yorktown, help from France and others, and the people of many backgrounds who shaped the war.

Alaska content standards learning standard: SS.5.2.21.1; SS.5.1.24.1 · the American Revolution and the perspectives of people in the colonies

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. The Declaration of Independence was adopted July 4, 1776. It says governments get power from the consent of the governed.
  2. George Washington led the army; Franklin won France as an ally. Bunker Hill showed colonists could stand up to the British.
  3. Women ran farms and businesses and made supplies.

Example: Where does the Declaration say governments get their power? It says the people choose to be governed. That agreement is called consent. Answer: from the consent of the governed

The American Revolution in Alaska

In the Alaska content standards, this is unit 4 of 6 in 5th grade Social Studies, after Road to Revolution and before Building a Government.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Alaska Department of Education and Early Development

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Bernardo de Gálvez helped the Americans by…

    • Writing the Declaration
    • Leading Spanish forces against the British in the South
    • Leading the Boston Tea Party
    • Ruling Virginia

  2. Question 2

    Who was chosen to lead the Continental Army?

    • King George III
    • Benjamin Franklin
    • Thomas Jefferson
    • George Washington

  3. Question 3

    Why did the Second Continental Congress try to send the Olive Branch Petition in 1775?

    • To elect a president
    • To raise the tea tax
    • To declare war on France
    • To ask the king for peace before declaring independence

  4. Question 4

    How did the Revolution affect many Loyalists?

    • Many left for Britain or other British lands
    • They became the new government
    • Nothing changed for them
    • They all became generals

  5. Question 5

    What did many women do during the Revolution?

    • Only lived in England
    • Nothing at all
    • Ran farms and businesses, made supplies and some served near the battlefields
    • Ruled the British army

  6. Question 6

    Which country became an important ally of the Americans in the Revolution?

    • France
    • Russia
    • Britain
    • China

More 5th grade