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Teaching Strategy: Native Americans, the British,
and American Colonists During the Revolutionary War

Introduction

When studying the American Revolution, the focus is usually placed on the British army and the American colonists. Another too-often overlooked group in the conflict was American Indians. Throughout the war, both the British and the Americans worked to form alliances with the Indians, or at least convince them to remain neutral. In this activity, students will use primary source quotes to role-play interactions between Native Americans, the British, and colonial Americans during the Revolutionary War.

Materials

Strategy

1. Divide students into six groups. Give each group one of the Situation Cards.

2. Have each group read the assigned quote and the task instructions. Clarify understanding as needed. For older students, consider giving each group a copy of all of the Situation Cards.

3. As a group, have students create a 1–2 minute skit in which they role-play a scenario based on their Situation Card quote. Remind students to think from the perspectives of their characters and to consider the questions on the situation card as they prepare their presentations. Students may choose to incorporate the primary source quote in their presentations. They may also use the Negotiation Cards to further develop these interactions.

4. Give each student a copy of the Decisions Matrix. Provide time for student groups to make their presentations. After each group presents its skit, have all students complete the appropriate row of boxes on the Decisions Matrix, focusing on the actions and reactions of others.

5. Facilitate a class discussion in which the importance of decision-making and the plight of the Native Americans throughout the Revolutionary War are highlighted.

 

This lesson was written by Dee Albrinck, elementary school teacher, Hebron, Kentucky, and Ted Green, assistant professor, Multidisciplinary Studies, Webster University School of Education, St. Louis, Missouri.