Marsha Rumley
The Boston Tea Party Lesson Plan
Abstract:
After listening to “The Boston Tea Party” podcast, listeners will be able to share facts and
information from The Boston Tea Party.
Common Core Objectives:
5.H.1.3 Analyze the impact of major conflicts, battles and wars on the development of our
nation through Reconstruction.
SL.5.2 Summarize a written text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and
formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
“I can” Statements:
I can describe the causes and effects of the Boston Tea Party.
Pre-listening Discussion Questions:
When you hear the words “Tea Party”, what comes to mind?
How would America be if another country’s Parliament controlled us?
(May consider pointing out the location of Boston, Massachusetts)
Vocabulary:
 Parliament: the supreme legislative body of various political units
 Prosper: to succeed or make money in something one is doing; Thrive or flourish
 Retaliate: to return (as an injury) in kind: get revenge
 Commerce: buying and selling of goods especially on a large scale and between different
places; Trade
Podcast:
The Boston Tea Party
After-listening Discussion Points:
What caused the colonists to become so angry?
Did the British East India Company create the Tea Tax in hopes to anger the colonists, or
“pocket the money”? What was the reasoning behind their instatement of taxes?
Although we have taxes on “goods” today, why do you think citizens are not irate over this
decision?
Assessment:
Give students either the written quiz that corresponds with the podcast, or have them complete
the online post-listening survey.
Useful Links:
Liberty’s Kids Episode 1; The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party Reader’s Theatre Script
Going Further:
1.
After The Boston Tea Party occurred, the town’s gazette headline read, “High Tea in
Boston Harbor”. Break students into groups and have them create an, “After reading
this…” reaction from several different points of view that they would post on Facebook.
After constructing their responses, have a board created for sharing and replying to one
another while staying in their assigned role.
Suggestions include: Sam Adams, a colonist NOT involved in the dumping of the tea, a
colonist that was dressed up as an Indian, one captain from the three ships, and someone
from Parliament.
2.
Have a reenactment of the event. Assist students in finding props, scripts, and other roles
needed to make this happen!
3.
Allow students to conduct interviews with eye witnesses from that night. Students will
be responsible for not only constructing well developed questions, but providing (closely)
accurate statements.
Name ________________
The Boston Tea Party
Podcast Quiz
_____ 1. True or False: Parliament came to America to provide their 13 colonies with tea.
_____ 2. True or False: Americans paid whatever taxed goods Parliament enforced without
question.
_____ 3. True or False: The Sugar Act imposed tax on goods such as coffee and indigo.
_____ 4. Parliament ruled
a. The 13 colonies in America
b. North Carolina
c. Who they want to
_____ 5. Men dressed up in hopes that people would mistake them for ______________.
a. Parliament Members
b. Indians
c. The President
_____ 6. Colonists called English troops all of the names below, except:
a. Crabs
b. Bloody Backs
c. Lobsters
_____ 7. The _______________ took place when soldiers retaliated in anger, killing 5 innocent
people, included a small boy.
a. Boston Tea Party
b. Boston Massacre
c. Boston War
_____ 8. Ships were not allowed to leave the harbor until they had paid their ____ amount.
a. Tea
b. Rent
c. Taxed
_____ 9. Once dumped, the tea stood around ___ feet deep in the harbor.
a. 1
b. 3
c. 2
_____ 10. New taxes were imposed on Americans to raise money
a. For their country
b. Help pay for the British soldiers in America
c. To pay British government
Podcast Quiz Answers
1. False
2. False
3. True
4. A
5. B
6. A
7. B
8. C
9. C
10. B