Independent Dames by Laurie Halse Anderson; Matt Faulkner, ill. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young  Readers, 2008. ISBN: 978-0-689-85808-6

 

This appealing and informative picture book highlights the contributions of women in America’s struggle for independence from Britain.

 

Media: pen and ink, watercolor

 

Rating: 4Q/2P

 

Literary device utilized: sophisticated language

 

Example: “Deborah was discharged when a doctor discovered she was a woman, but she received a military pension.”

 

Curricular connection: U.S. History, upper elementary school level

 

Lesson plan:

1. The teacher will introduce this book to the class during the period when they are studying the American Revolution.
2. Using a PowerPoint slideshow, the teacher will conduct an overview of the book, discussing with the class the important contributions that women and girls made in the struggle for American independence.
3. For homework, the students will be assigned to choose one of the women from the book and write a half-page biographical summary about that woman using at least one print source other than Independent Dames.
4. The assignment will be due one week later, and will be graded on grammar, spelling, the student’s utilization of at least one other print source, and the accuracy of the information contained in their report.

 

submitted July 2009 by Josh Mitchell  

 

 

 

 

Anderson, L. (2008). Independent dames: What you never knew about the women and girls of the American Revolution, Faulkner, M. (ill). New York: Simon and Schuster.

 

ISBN: 978-0689858086

Anderson and Faulker's historical account of the women of the American Revolution is full of anecdotes and wit. Students and teachers will be asking, "Why didn't they teach me this before?"

Media: Watercolor, Pen and Ink

 

Curricular Connections: American Revolution, Women's History

 

Grades: 5/6   

Subject: U.S. History

Length: Two class periods/one homework assignment.

1. Topic-

The Women of the American Revolution

 

2. Content-

a) American Revolution

b) Women’s History

c) Boycott

d) Tory

e) Abigail Adams

 

3. Goals: Aims/Outcomes-

a. Students should demonstrate an understanding of key events in the American Revolution.

b. Students should understand the roles women played during this time.

c. Students should understand some of the challenges facing women during the time of the American Revolution and how they reacted to these challenges.

History Content Standards for Grade 5:

Students explain the causes of the American Revolution.

 

4. Objectives-

a. Students will be able to recognize and discuss key events of the American Revolution.

b. Students will be able to analyze cultural factors facing women during this time period.

c. Students will be able to relate these concepts to larger issues of equal rights, Women's rights/history.

 

5. Materials and Aids-

a) Anderson, L.H. (2008). Independent Dames: What you Never Knew About the Women and Girls of the American Revolution, Matt Faulkner, ill. New York: Simon and Schuster.

b) U.S. History Textbook.

 

6. Procedures/Methods-

A. Introduction-

1. Students will have read Independent dames: What you never knew about the women and girls of the American Revolution, as well as background materials in their textbook about the American Revolution.

2. Begin with a class discussion comparing and contrasting what they learned from their textbook and what they learned from Anderson's book.

3. Continue the discussion, focusing on what they found most interesting in Anderson's book as well as why they think it was left out of their History textbook.

 

B. Development-

1. The teacher hands out copies of the book and asks them to turn to a page that describes an event/person that the teacher finds interesting.

2. The teacher explains why he/she finds this particular event/person of interest.

3. The teacher takes out encyclopedias and other reference materials and shows the students how to look in the index for the person/event. Internet resources should be available to students as well and the teacher should discuss how to find legitimate sources on the Internet.

 

C. Practice-

1. Ask each student to do the same: pick a person or event noted in Anderson's book and conduct research on the person/event.

2. The teacher should walk around the classroom and aid with research when necessary.

3. The students should take notes on their findings.

 

D. Independent Practice-

For Homework:

1. Each student should go home and re-read their notes. They are welcome to do additional research on the topic, but it is not mandatory.

2. Using the information they gathered about the person/event, each student should write a fictional letter or diary entry of the person they studied. If they chose an event, they should write the letter/diary entry from the point of view of a person who was involved in the event.

3. Each student must also write a short paragraph explaining how he or she used his or her research to create his or her letter/diary entry.

 

E. Accommodations (Differentiated Instruction)-

1. Students who have difficulty writing have the option to record their homework assignment.

2. Students who have difficulty with research may have extra time to work with a tutor or homework help through the school.

 

F.  Checking for understanding/Assessment

1. The teacher should assess how the degree to which students reflected on their research and incorporated it into their assignment. 65%

2. The teacher should assess the degree of creativity in each assignment. 25%

3. The student will be assessed on the amount of factual information, either from the student's independent research or from previous class discussion. 10%

 

G. Closure-

1. Why is it important to tell the story of the women of the American Revolution?

2. What kind of insight can we gain from hearing the accomplishments and challenges less prominent figures in the American Revolution faced?

3. Are there other historical events where you might want to research different groups of people and their experiences in that event?

Content Standards Retrieved July 15, 2009 from: www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/histsocscistnd.pdf

 

km6/25/09

 

Independent dames: What you never knew about the women and girls of the American Revolution, by Laurie Halse Anderson and Matt Faulkner, ill. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2008.

ISBN: 978-0689858086

Annotation: Lively cartoon-style illustrations with lots of details and lively writing make this a fast, enjoyable read on an aspect of American history that has recieved too little attention.

Illustrations: watercolor and pen and ink

Curricular Use: 7th-10th grade; U.S. History, Women's History Month

4Q/4P

DM 6/25/09