Academic Vocabulary—Social Studies, 5-8
Provide a student-friendly
description, explanation, or
example of the term.
(adapted from Building Academic Vocabulary by Robert Marzano.)
Students restate in their own
words in writing.
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION:
12 Key People
John Adams
A prominent Boston lawyer &
delegate (from MA) to the
Continental Congresses, where he
rejected proposals for
reconciliation with Britain. He
served as V.P. to George Washington
and was president of the United
States from 1797 to 1801.
Samuel Adams
a political activist who organized the
first Committee of Correspondence
of Boston, which communicated with
other similar organizations across
the colonies. He was a delegate to
both Continental Congresses.
Joseph Bryant
A Mohawk chief and leader of the
Iroquois tribes. Brant was one of
the many Native American leaders
who advocated an alliance with
Britain against the Americans. He
and other tribal leaders hoped an
alliance with the British might stop
settlers from taking Indian land.
Students construct a picture,
symbol, or graphic representation
of the term.
Students discuss terms with one
another-comparing pictures,
descriptions and make additions
revisions to notebook entries.
V.P. to Geo. Washington & 2nd
president—delegate to both
continental congresses
(opposed reconciliation…)
Students discuss, analyze,
compare… add, revise
notebook entries as
necessary.
Delegate to both continental
congresses—activist/
organizer who worked for
independence through
“committees of
correspondence”
Students discuss, analyze,
compare… add, revise
notebook entries as
necessary.
Mohawk chief & leader of
Iroquois--sided with British
to try to keep American
settlers off Indian lands…
Students discuss, analyze,
compare… add, revise
notebook entries as
necessary.
Benjamin Franklin
A Philadelphia printer, inventor, and
patriot. He was a delegate to the
Second Continental Congress and a
member of the committee
responsible for helping to draft the
Declaration of Independence in
1776.
King George III
King of Great Britain during the
American Revolution.
George Grenville
Prime minister of British Parliament
at the close of the French and
Indian War. Grenville was
responsible for enforcing the
Navigation Act and for passing the
Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Currency
Act, and Quartering Act in the mid1760s. He assumed, incorrectly,
that colonists would be willing to
bear a greater tax burden after
Britain had invested so much in
protecting them from the French
and Native Americans.
Helped draft the Declaration
of Independence (2nd
continental congress) -inventor/patriot
Students discuss, analyze,
compare… add, revise
notebook entries as
necessary.
King of Great Britain during
the American Revolution…
Students discuss, analyze,
compare… add, revise
notebook entries as
necessary.
Prime Minister of Gr. Britain
who enforced unpopular tax
acts on Amer. Colonists…
(Stamp Act, Sugar Act,
Navigation Act, etc…)
Students discuss, analyze,
compare… add, revise
notebook entries as
necessary.
Patrick Henry
A radical colonist famous for his
“Give me liberty or give me death”
speech. Henry advocated rebellion
against the Crown in the years
before the Revolutionary War.
Thomas Hutchinson
Royal governor of Massachusetts
(1760s and early 1770s). Hutchinson
forbade the British East India
Company’s tea ships from leaving
Boston Harbor until they had
unloaded their cargo, prompting
disguised colonists to destroy the
tea in the Boston Tea Party.
Thomas Jefferson
Virginian planter/ lawyer who
eventually became president of the
United States. In 1776, he drafted
the Declaration of Independence,
which justified American
independence from Britain. Later,
he served as the first secretary of
state under Pres. George
Washington and as V.P. to John
Adams. Jefferson was elected
president in 1800 and 1804.
Give me Liberty… speech
(advocated rebellion that led
to the Revolutionary War)
Students discuss, analyze,
compare… add, revise
notebook entries as
necessary.
Brit. governor of MA
responsible for Boston Tea
Party…
Students discuss, analyze,
compare… add, revise
notebook entries as
necessary.
Drafted Declaration of
Independence… 1st Sec. of
State (under Washington),
V.P. to John Adams, President
(1800 & 1804)
Students discuss, analyze,
compare… add, revise
notebook entries as
necessary.
Thomas Paine
A radical philosopher/ pamphleteer
who strongly supported
republicanism and civic virtue (&
condemned monarachy). Paine’s 1776
pamphlet Common Sense was a
bestselling phenomenon in the
American colonies and convinced
thousands to rebel against King
George III..
William Pitt
British statesman who provided
crucial leadership during the latter
half of the French and Indian War.
Pitt focused British war efforts so
that Britain could defeat the
French in Canada. Many have argued
that without his leadership, Britain
would have lost the war to the
French and their allies.
George Washington
A Virginia planter and militia officer
who eventually became the first
president of the United States
(1789). Washington was commanderin- chief of the American forces
during the Revolutionary War. His
leadership skills were unparalleled
and were integral to the creation of
the United States.
Radical pamphleteer-- wrote
Common Sense—convinced
many colonists to support
rebellion/ independence
Students discuss, analyze,
compare… add, revise
notebook entries as
necessary.
British statesman who was
instrumental to Britain’s
victory in the Fr & Indian
War
Students discuss, analyze,
compare… add, revise
notebook entries as
necessary.
1st President of the U.S. and
commander-in-chief of the
American forces during the
Revolutionary War
Students discuss, analyze,
compare… add, revise
notebook entries as
necessary.
Engage students periodically in games and activities that help them add to their knowledge of the terms. Many examples can
be found in chapter 4 of Building Academic Vocabulary by Robert Marzano.