Lammas: The American Revolution
The birth of a nation! As we celebrate the first harvest, we explore how colonists harvested Enlightenment ideas to create a new form of government.
UU Principle Focus
7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part
🎯 Learning Goals
- • Understand the causes and key events of the American Revolution
- • Analyze the Declaration of Independence and its ideals
- • Explore diverse perspectives including women, Black soldiers, and Native Americans
- • Master algebraic expressions and one/two-step equations
- • Learn the skeletal, muscular, circulatory, and respiratory systems
- • Connect themes of liberty and harvest abundance
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: Seeds of Revolution
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The colonists felt unheard by their government. Have you ever felt like your voice wasn't being heard? How did you respond?
📚 Language Arts
Introduction to colonial America. Read about life in the 13 colonies. Begin Johnny Tremain. Write about what 'liberty' means to you.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Review order of operations. Introduction to variables. Writing algebraic expressions from word problems.
🫀 Science: Human Anatomy
Introduction to the skeletal system. Bones, joints, and cartilage. How the skeleton protects and supports.
✏️ Form Drawing
Colonial-era typography and lettering styles
🧶 Handwork
Begin wheat weaving for Lammas; sketch colonial designs
📖 Story
The Boston Massacre: Multiple Perspectives
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Liberty's Kids Episode 1
- Colonial America Overview
Shows:
- America: The Story of Us - Rebels
Audio:
- Johnny Tremain audiobook
Week 2: The Shot Heard Round the World
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The colonists had to decide: stay loyal or fight for change. When is it right to stand up against authority? How do we know?
📚 Language Arts
Study the events at Lexington and Concord. Read Paul Revere's Ride by Longfellow. Continue Johnny Tremain. Write a newspaper account.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Evaluating algebraic expressions. Substituting values. Combining like terms.
🫀 Science: Human Anatomy
The muscular system. Types of muscles: skeletal, smooth, cardiac. How muscles and bones work together.
✏️ Form Drawing
Movement and action drawings—figures in motion
🧶 Handwork
Continue Lammas crafts; create a colonial-era pamphlet
📖 Story
Paul Revere's Midnight Ride: Fact vs. Legend
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Paul Revere's Ride Animated
- Muscular System for Teens
Shows:
- The Revolution - PBS
Audio:
- Give Me Liberty audiobook
Week 3: Declaring Independence
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Jefferson wrote that all men are created equal—yet he enslaved people. How do we hold both truths? What does this teach us about human complexity?
📚 Language Arts
Study the Declaration of Independence. Analyze its structure and language. Read about Thomas Jefferson. Write your own declaration.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Introduction to equations. What is an equation? Using inverse operations. One-step equations.
🫀 Science: Human Anatomy
The circulatory system. Heart structure and function. Blood vessels and blood flow. Taking pulse measurements.
✏️ Form Drawing
Symmetry and balance—designing official documents
🧶 Handwork
Create an illuminated copy of a Declaration excerpt; bread baking
📖 Story
Thomas Jefferson: Enlightenment Thinker and Slaveholder
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Declaration of Independence Explained
- Circulatory System
Shows:
- Jefferson documentary
Audio:
- 1776 by David McCullough
Week 4: The War for Independence
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Many different people fought in the Revolution—including women, Black soldiers, and Native Americans. Whose stories do we remember? Whose do we forget?
📚 Language Arts
Study key battles: Bunker Hill, Saratoga, Valley Forge. Read diverse perspectives. Continue Johnny Tremain. Write from a soldier's viewpoint.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Solving two-step equations. Equations with variables on both sides. Writing equations from word problems.
🫀 Science: Human Anatomy
The respiratory system. Lungs, breathing mechanics, gas exchange. How circulatory and respiratory systems connect.
✏️ Form Drawing
Battle maps and strategic drawings
🧶 Handwork
Create a Lammas altar; sew a simple colonial-style item
📖 Story
Forgotten Heroes: James Armistead, Deborah Sampson, and Others
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Valley Forge Documentary
- Respiratory System
Shows:
- The Crossing
Audio:
- Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
Week 5: A New Nation & Lammas Celebration
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The Revolution planted seeds of freedom that are still growing today. What seeds of change would you like to plant for the future?
📚 Language Arts
Study the Constitution's creation. Discuss the compromises made. Finish Johnny Tremain. Write a reflection on freedom and responsibility.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Review equations. Real-world applications: calculating costs, distances, and unknowns.
🫀 Science: Human Anatomy
Review body systems. Create a final project showing how systems work together.
✏️ Form Drawing
Create a patriotic border for Lammas celebration page
🧶 Handwork
Complete Lammas crafts; prepare celebration feast
📖 Story
The Constitution: A Living Document
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Constitution for Kids
- Body Systems Review
Shows:
- A More Perfect Union
Audio:
- We the People audiobook
🌾 Lammas Celebration
- 🟡 Host a colonial-themed feast with period foods
- 🟡 Present research on a Revolutionary figure
- 🟡 Display body systems projects and art
- 🟡 Bake bread and share the harvest abundance
- 🟡 Create a harvest altar celebrating freedom
- 🟡 Reflect on liberty and the seeds of change
📚 Recommended Resources
Literature
- • Johnny Tremain (Esther Forbes)
- • Chains (Laurie Halse Anderson)
- • 1776 (David McCullough) - excerpts
Reference
- • DK Eyewitness: American Revolution
- • The Human Body (DK)
- • Declaration of Independence (primary source)