Bensalem Township School District
6 Grade SS Curriculum
Chapter 11 and 12
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Standards Link:
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8.1.6.A: Explain continuity and change over time using sequential order and context of events.
8.1.6.B: Differentiate between fact and opinion, multiple points of view, and primary and
secondary sources to explain historical events.
8.1.6.C: Identify a thesis statement using appropriate primary and secondary sources. (Reference
RWSL Standard 1.8.5 Research)
8.3.5.D Examine patterns of conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations that
impacted the history and development of the United States. Ethnicity and race Working conditions
Immigration Military conflict Economic stability
5.1.5.D Interpret key ideas about government found in significant documents: Declaration of
Independence United States Constitution Bill of Rights Pennsylvania Constitution.
5.1.5.F Explain the significance of state symbols, national symbols, and national holidays.
6.1.5.C Explain how people’s choices have different economic consequences.
Big Idea:
Enduring Understanding(s):
Declaring Independence
1.) Ideas have power
2.) New ideas change culture and tradition
3.) Freedom and democracy depend on each other
4.) Rights and responsibilities of citizens define
their national identity
Essential Question(s):
• Do citizens have the right to rebel against an unjust government?
• What were the main ideas stated in the Declaration of Independence?
• What would have happened if the Declaration of Independence was never signed?
• How do governments balance the rights of individuals?
• Why is it important to choose words carefully?
Essential Question for Guided Reading:
• How does the author's use of setting affect the plot of a story?
Knowledge:
Skill(s):
Bensalem Township School District
6 Grade SS Curriculum
Chapter 11 and 12
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Divided Colonists
• Loyalists
• Patriots
• Neutralists
Prominent individuals
• Thomas Hutchinson
• Jonathan Boucher
• Lord Dunmore
• Benjamin Franklin
• Mercy Otis Warren
• Samuel Adams
Major Events
• Formation of the Second
Continental Congress
• Common Sense By Thomas Paine
• Declaration of Independence is
written.
• Signing of the Declaration of
Independence
Assessment/Evidence of Learning:
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Identify three prominent colonists who were
Loyalists. Explain what their role was in their
colony.
Identify three prominent colonists who were
Patriots. Explain what these three individuals
did to further the cause for separation from
Britain.
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Compare and Contrast the individuals that were
read in chapter eleven.
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Analyze arguments both for and against
declaring independence as told from Loyalist
and patriot perspectives in chapter 11.
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List the three tasks that needed to be
accomplished during the Second Continental
Congress.
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Explain why Thomas Paine’s booklet Common
Sense became so popular in 1776.
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On July 4, 1776, Congress approved the
Declaration of Independence. Describe how
colonists reacted to this new document. How
do Americans still celebrate this day?
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Summarize in your own words, key passages
from the Declaration of Independence. Explain
what each passage means and its purpose.
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Create short skits that capture important ideas
from the Declaration of Independence.
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Bensalem Township School District
6 Grade SS Curriculum
Chapter 11 and 12
th
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Chapter 11 test including the Multiple Intelligences questions
Student Journals
Loyalists and Patriots debate
History Alive online chapter questions
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Chapter 12 test including the Multiple Intelligences questions
Student Journals
History Alive online chapter questions
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Complete an Alpha Box after reading both chapters 11 & 12. The alpha box may be used
as a formative assessment.
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Analyze arguments both for and against declaring independence using primary sources
from Loyalist and patriot perspectives.
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Enrichment essay found at: http://info.teachtci.com/resources/ha/haap/
Learning Activities:
Resources:
Chapter 11 – The debate between the
Loyalists and the Patriots.
http://www.historyalive.com
Chapter 12 – skits for the Declaration for
Independence
**Under resources, are lesson plans and
additional resources for this chapter.
My Brother Sam is Dead by: James Lincoln Collier
and Christopher Collier
For this particular novel, it is important to have the
necessary background knowledge of what a Loyalist,
Patriot, and a Tory were. This book is rich with
vocabulary. I would suggest an activity that would be
a word challenge. Students can use highlighter tape to
mark what they think is the most important word
designated in that particular chapter. Students will
meet to discuss the vocabulary terms selected.
Social Studies Alive Engaging Diverse Learners
in the Elementary Classroom By Bert Bower and
Jim Lobdell
www.socialstudiesalive.net
Literature Connections
Chapter 11
• Can’t You Make them Behave, King
George? by Jean Fritz
• Katie’s Trunk by Ann Turner
• The Liberty Tree by Lucille Recht Penner
Chapter 12
• The Declaration of Independence by R.
Conrad Stein
• The Declaration of Independence by
Patricia Ryon Quiri
• Thomas Jefferson by Arthur M.
Schlesinger, Jr.
Phoebe the Spy by Judith Berry Griffin
Based on an actual historical event, reading
groups will work on the following activities for this
novel:
Websites to use with chapters:
• Using word, the teacher will create a
graphic organizer with four main boxes in • The Charters of Freedom
Students can sign the Declaration and learn
which students will write on sticky notes
about its creation and its signers.
to retell the key ideas in the text. Based
on what students believe is the most
• Liberty! The American Revolution
important parts. As students read
The Road to Revolution is an interactive site
through the novel, sticky notes can be
from PBS.
stacked one on top of one another.
Bensalem Township School District
6 Grade SS Curriculum
Chapter 11 and 12
th
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Students will work on finding quotes to
make a map of who, what, when, where,
why and how questions to monitor their
understanding. (see attached organizer
under social studies pintables).
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Rebelling for Freedom
A webquest where students research the
results of the King’s taxes on citizens of the
colonies.
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America’s Story from America’s Library
A brief description of the Boston Massacre
for fifth graders.
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The Declaration of Independence
Links to all aspects of the Declaration of
Independence, including signers,
explanations, and the scanned document.
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White House 101
Click on fun quiz on the Declaration – also
great quizzes on other historical documents
and topics.
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Liberty! The American Revolution
PBS timeline of the American Revolution (site
also has great resources for all aspects of the
War.
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I Can Be a Patriot!
A webquest where students research Thomas
Jefferson, George Washington, and Patrick
Henry by reading a letter to their wives and
researching events in which they
participated. They then write a newspaper article and
complete a timeline.
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George Washington, a National Treasure
Lesson plans to teach about George Washington, his life, and
his impact on the founding of our country.