May be IA or PBAT, depending on student level and depth of inquiry
In American History, we have conducted an inquiry study around the Declaration
of Independence and the American Revolution. We did close text readings of primary
documents and role-plays around the Declaration of Independence. Next, we examined
why the colonists wanted independence, focusing on the Stamp Act, the Boston Massacre
and the Boston Tea Party through discussions and role-plays. Lastly, we read secondary
sources about major events and clashes in the American Revolution (and wrote songs
about the events based on the famous Revolutionary War song “Yankee Doodle”.
For the assessment, students choose a research question and will read multiple
primary and secondary sources to discover a variety of historical viewpoints on the
question. They then write a well-organized thesis driven research paper. Many students
will choose to use this as a final PBAT.
Sample questions created by students:
1. Why did Thomas Jefferson write in the draft of the D.O.I that slavery was a “cruel
war against human nature” when he owned slaves himself?
2. Were the colonists hypocrites for abusing the rights of the American loyalists?
3. Why did the American colonists think it was necessary to be independent from
Britain?
4. Were the rights of the American colonists really being abused or did they just not
want to pay taxes?
5. Why were women/Native American/African Americans left out of the Declaration
of Independence?
6. How was propaganda used on both sides in the American Revolution?
7. Was the Boston Massacre really a “massacre”?
8. Whose fault was the Boston Massacre?
9. How did the American colonists resist British rule?
10. Why were the loyalists against the Declaration of Independence?
11. Why did Jefferson write about liberty if he had slaves?
12. Was Thomas Jefferson a hypocrite because he wrote. “all men are created equal”
but owned slaved at the same time?
13. How did women contribute to the American Revolution?