Interactive Video Script Template
Lesson
Objective
Course
Semester
Unit
Lesson
SS8
A
4
8
Students will evaluate the importance of places critical to United States
history (e.g., Valley Forge).
CLIP A
Introduction – 45 to 60 seconds
Visual
Audio
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The
_March_to_Valley_Forge_William_Trego.p
ng
Imagine for a moment an army of 12,000
men with little to no supplies moving
across the countryside looking for a place
to set up camp.
http://research.archives.gov/description/53
2877
“The army was not only starved
but naked. The greatest part were not only
shirtless and barefoot, but destitute of all
other clothing, especially blankets.”
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Am
erican_Revolutionary_War_collage.jpg
These are the words written by Joseph
Plum Martin, a 16 year old soldier during
the Revolutionary War.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sno
w_scene.jpg
Just like young Martin, there were
hundreds of soldiers that felt the same
way as they set up camp at Valley Forge
during the winter of 1778.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Basaseachi
c_Falls_National_Park_in_the_winter.JPG
With the winter rapidly approaching,
George Washington and his Continental
Army had to end their campaign for the
winter.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Encampme
nt_at_Valley_Forge_1778.jpg
When studying the American Revolution
there are many places such as Valley
Forge that changed the course of
American history and led to
Independence.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Win
ter_forest.jpg
Let’s examine the winter conditions, the
reactions of the soldiers, and the historical
significance of the winter at Valley Forge.
Question for Clip A
Stem: Where did the Continental Army
spend the winter of 1778?
Answers for Question A
A. Philadelphia
B. Valley Forge
C. New York
D. Saratoga
Correct Response  B
Correct – Go to Clip B
Incorrect – Go to Clip E
CLIP B
Build on Introduction – 25 to 35 seconds
http://www.nps.gov/storage/images/vafo/W
ebpages/originals/375.jpg
Great Job! You got it! Now let’s look at the
harsh conditions the soldiers had to face
while camped at Valley Forge.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Enca
While waiting for French aid in the
mpment_at_Valley_Forge_1777.jpg
war, Washington and his troops spent a
harsh winter at Valley Forge, which is
about twenty miles west of Philadelphia.
http://www.nps.gov/storage/images/vafo/W
ebpages/originals/373.jpg
The troops lacked many essential items to
make it through the winter. Things that
people need to survive. They lacked
blankets, food, shoes, and shirts.
http://www.nps.gov/storage/images/vafo/W
ebpages/originals/370.jpg
It took everything; will, determination,
heart, and most importantly purpose, for
the soldiers to survive through the winter.
http://www.nps.gov/storage/images/vafo/W
ebpages/originals/385.jpg
A young Private from Connecticut named
Joseph Martin writes: “We had a hard duty
to perform…and little or no strength to
perform it.”
Question for Clip B
Stem:
Where is Valley Forge located?
Answers for Question B
A. Outside of Philadelphia
B. North of Boston
C. A borough of New York
D. Near Richmond, Virginia
Correct Response  A
Correct – Go to Clip C
Incorrect – Go to Clip F
CLIP C
Build on Clip B – 25 to 35 seconds
Visual
Audio
http://pixabay.com/en/hut-valley-forgenational-park-420152/
It wasn’t a surprise that many soldiers
deserted, or left Valley Forge without the
permission of the Continental Army.
http://www.archives.gov/research/military/a
mericanrevolution/pictures/images/revolutionarywar-043.jpg
After all, 12,000 men marched into Valley
Forge and about 2,000 of them died by
the time the winter was over.
http://www.nps.gov/storage/images/vafo/W
ebpages/originals/387.jpg
However, cold weather and harsh
temperatures were not the cause of every
death. Disease was also common in the
camp.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Washington
-at-ValleyForge.jpg
Question for Clip C
Stem: What aspect of George
Washington’s leadership was so important
at Valley Forge?
Answers for Question C
A. Without strong leadership the army
could have collapsed.
B. The soldiers were strong enough that
they did not need leadership.
C. George Washington was only a good
leader on the battlefield.
D. George Washington was able to use his
political skills to negotiate supplies from the
British army so his men would not starve.
Correct Response  A
Correct – Go to Clip D
Incorrect – Go to Clip G
The winter at Valley Forge tested the
leadership of George Washington. It was
his style of leadership that carried the
soldiers through the winter.
CLIP D
Build on Clip C – 25 to 35 seconds
Visual
Audio
http://research.archives.gov/description/53
2877
Although no shots were fired at Valley
Forge, it serves as a turning point in the
Revolutionary War.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wa
shington_and_Lafayette_at_Valley_Forge.j
pg
The men camped at Valley Forge
represent the perseverance of the
American spirit and their fight for
independence.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bar
on_von_Steuben_at_Valley_Forge,_1777_
-_NARA_-_530884.jpg
George Washington stated that “No army
has every suffered such uncommon
hardships… with such patience and
fortitude.”
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ge
orge_Washington_1795.jpg
Without the leadership of George
Washington, among others, the
Continental Army could have fallen apart.
Question for Clip D
Stem: What outcome was certain following
the winter at Valley Forge?
Answers for Question D
A. The Continental Army lacked quality
leadership.
B. The Continental Army was unable to
continue on since most soldiers had
deserted.
C. The Continental Army was far
outmatched and the end of the war would
be coming soon.
D. The Continental Army was able to
demonstrate they could persevere
through difficult times.
Correct Response  D
Correct - Success Alert
Incorrect – Go to Clip H
CLIP E
Remediation for Clip A – 25 to 35 seconds
Visual
Audio
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The
_March_to_Valley_Forge_William_Trego.p
ng
Throughout history, armies have not
continued to battle during the winter
months.
http://www.nps.gov/storage/images/vafo/W
ebpages/originals/372.jpg
Instead, they would set up a camp
and wait until the spring thaw to continue
their fight.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vall
ey_Forge_National_Historical_Park_VAFO
3927.jpg
http://pixabay.com/en/branch-winter-snowroad-437501/
Question for Clip E
Stem:
Which of the following best describes a
hardship faced by soldiers at Valley Forge?
Answers for Question E
During the winter months of 1778, George
Washington and his troops set up winter
camp at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
Many men suffered through the cold with
little food, no clothing, and minimal shelter
to shield them from the weather.
A. A lack of ammunition
B. Poor leadership
C. A lack of food to eat
D. No shelter to escape the heat
Correct Response  C
Correct – Go to Clip B
Incorrect – Go to Clip F
CLIP F
Remediation for Clip B – 25 to 35 seconds
Visual
Audio
http://research.archives.gov/description/53
2876
Remember that the French Army was
supposed to arrive to help in the war
efforts of the Continental Army.
http://www.nps.gov/storage/images/vafo/W
ebpages/originals/385.jpg
Life at Valley Forge was unbearable.
Soldiers lacked essential items to keep
them alive during the harsh winter.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fire
place_Burning.jpg
Twenty miles away, the British soldiers
were staying in warmth in Philadelphia.
http://www.archives.gov/research/military/a
mericanrevolution/pictures/images/revolutionarywar-043.jpg
George Washington had to provide
exceptional leadership to keep his men
alive.
Question for Clip F
Stem: Why did the Continental Army camp
at Valley Forge and not in Philadelphia?
Answers for Question F
A. Valley Forge had plenty of buildings to
house the soldiers.
B. The British Army was in Philadelphia.
C. George Washington would rather be
outside.
D. Philadelphia was a loyalist city.
Correct Response  B
Correct – Go to Clip C
Incorrect – Intervention Alert – then Clip B
CLIP G
Remediation for Clip C – 25 to 35 seconds
Visual
Audio
http://www.nps.gov/storage/images/vafo/W
ebpages/originals/375.jpg
Keep in mind, when you leave the army
without permission, it is known as
‘deserting’ and the punishment is severe.
http://www.nps.gov/storage/images/vafo/W
ebpages/originals/366.jpg
Not surprisingly, many men began
deserting Valley Forge in search of better
shelter, food, and for survival.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ge
orge_Washington_by_Peale_1776.jpg
This is where George Washington’s
leadership ability is tested to keep his men
from deserting the army.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wa
shington_and_Lafayette_at_Valley_Forge.j
pg
Along with the cold, disease spread
rapidly through the camps due to the
close quarters, dirty drinking water, and
poor sanitation.
http://www.nps.gov/storage/images/vafo/W
ebpages/originals/391.jpg
This only added to the misery of the
thousands of troops who stayed at Valley
Forge.
Question for Clip G
Stem: Which of the following contributed to
the spread of disease at Valley Forge?
Answers for Question G
A. Poor sanitation
B. Close quarters
C. Contaminated drinking water
D. All of the above
Correct Response  D
Correct – Go to Clip D
Incorrect – Go to Clip F
CLIP H
Remediation for Clip D – 25 to 35 seconds
Visual
Audio
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Washington
-at-ValleyForge.jpg
Keep in mind that it was the leadership of
George Washington that brought the
soldiers through the harsh winter at Valley
Forge.
http://www.nps.gov/storage/images/vafo/W
ebpages/originals/370.jpg
12,000 soldiers in the Continental Army
arrived with General Washington at Valley
Forge, and only 10,000 remained.
http://www.archives.gov/research/military/a
mericanrevolution/pictures/images/revolutionarywar-042.jpg
Without a single shot fired at
Valley Forge, it remains a significant part
of American history.
http://www.archives.gov/research/military/a
mericanrevolution/pictures/images/revolutionarywar-041.jpg
The Continental Army emerged from the
winter camp at Valley Forge a hardened
and battle-ready force.
Question for Clip H
Stem: How did the Continental Army leave
Valley Forge as a strong fighting force?
Answers for Question H
A. The soldiers had endured many
hardships and that made them stronger.
B. They were actually very weak at the end
of the winter.
C. The soldiers spent the entire winter in
warm shelter.
D. The soldiers remained in good health
throughout the winter.
Correct Response  A
Correct – Success Alert
Incorrect – Go to Clip G