Lauren Tarshis writes the fifteenth book in her popular I Survived Series – I Survived the American Revolution. The series began with I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 in 2010. Since then, two books each year have been published. Readers can experience both natural and man-made disasters through this series. Fire, war, storms, and even shark attacks will keep the reader engaged.
The Story
Are you looking for a great book that will tie in with social studies? I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 is a great choice.
I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 tells the story of Nate. When three-year-old Theo accidentally hits Uncle Storch with a stick, Nate takes the blame. As his cruel uncle begins to choke him, Nate realizes he must run away from home in order to survive. Nate stows away on a ship. He winds up in New York City. The city is not the place Nate remembers. Boarded-up buildings line the street. Soldiers build large earthen barricades. Not knowing what to do, Nate just walks. He observes all the preparations for war. Nate soon runs into an old friend who gets him a job as the camp helper for the Connecticut 15th. Through a series of events, Nate ends up on the battlefield. The thrilling story of courage is a must-read.
I Survived the American Revolution, 1776
Teaching Activities
Book Unit Samples
If you would like to try out the I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 Book Unit before you buy it, this download contains free samples including:
- Vocabulary Practice for Chapters 1-2
- Comprehension Questions for Chapters 1-2
- Constructed Response Question for Setting
- Photos to Show What the Rest of the Unit Looks Like
Activity #1 – Revolutionary War Timeline
Check out the Revolutionary War Webpages on the Book Units Teacher website. Students can read the information in fifteen mini-lessons. Online quizzes test students understanding of the lessons.
Ask students to create a timeline of key events in the American Revolution. They can use the book as a reference.
This printable lists the main events of the war. Students can find the needed information to complete the organizer by going to the mini-lessons using the link above.
Activity #2 – Writing Activities
- Encourage students to write their own story set during the American Revolution. Students can use the book as inspiration. Stories can include real historical figures and events in their story.
- Have students create a newspaper from the time period. The newspaper can feature articles on the battles and events of the American Revolution. Students can also include advertisements, editorials, and cartoons.
- Assign students a research project on a historical figure or event related to the American Revolution. Some good choices might be George Washington or the Boston Tea Party. Students can present their findings to the class in a creative way. Making a PowerPoint presentation or a poster board project will turn the project into a fun activity.
Activity #3 – Online Activities
- Take students on a virtual field trip to historic sites related to the American Revolution. Some suggested sites include Independence Hall in Philadelphia or the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum.
- Create a scavenger hunt with clues related to the American Revolution. Students can work in teams to solve the clues and find the hidden items or locations.
Suggestions for an American Revolution Scavenger Hunt
- document, written in 1776, declared the thirteen colonies independent from Great Britain (Answer: Declaration of Independence)
- city was the site of the Boston Tea Party (Answer: Boston)
- American general famously crossed the Delaware River on December 25, 1776 (Answer: George Washington)
- battle, fought in 1777, was a turning point in the American Revolution (Answer: Battle of Saratoga)
- man, known for his famous midnight ride, warned the colonial militias that the British were coming (Answer: Paul Revere)
- battle, fought in 1781, was the last major battle of the American Revolution (Answer: Battle of Yorktown)
- American patriot is famous for his ‘Give me liberty or give me death’ speech (Answer: Patrick Henry)
- pamphlet, written by Thomas Paine in 1776, argued for American independence from Britain (Answer: Common Sense)
- man, a French military officer, played a crucial role in the American victory at the Battle of Yorktown (Answer: Marquis de Lafayette)
- group, formed in 1774, organized protests and boycotts against British goods in the lead-up to the American Revolution (Answer: Sons of Liberty)
Teachable Moments
The story is full of historical information including:
- important battles
- famous Revolutionary figures
- trivia such as where the song Yankee Doodle came from
Accessibility
Just about any place that sells books carries this popular series. Scholastic Book Clubs are usually the most economical place to purchase books. They run $3.00 a copy. If you buy the books in packs, the cost comes down even more.
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