American Revolution

Battle Cards

Teacher DirectionsThis activity pack includes center cards, which cover the major battles of the American Revolution. I love to get students moving around with these cards while they learn about the different battles. The following cards are included:

- Lexington and Concord- Battle of Trenton- Battle of Saratoga- Battle of Yorktown

Students will rotate around the room in small groups reading about the different battles. Then, students will complete a mini foldable and work on a vocabulary activity. I also included comprehension questions, which you can have students complete while they rotate. Or you could assign the comprehension questions as a quiz over the major battles. I typically like to complete this activity within two class segments.

This battle was sparked byGeneral Thomas Cage, who learned that several Patriots

were hiding and storing war supplies in Concord, Massachusetts. General Cage sent soldiers off to find the

supplies, and he also ordered them to destroy all of it once they found it. A Patriot known as, Dr. Warren, found out about the plan and warned other Patriots. Paul Revere and William Dawes were instructed to race around the town shouting, “ The Regulars are coming!” Even though

Paul Revere is known as the most famous rider, both men were very courageous by warning the colonists about the

upcoming British arrival.

The minutemen, which were men ready in a short period of time, were able to prepare themselves for this attack by

waiting for the British in Lexington. Once the British arrived early in the morning, they demanded the

minutemen leave. The minutemen refused to move. Then, a shot went off, which indicated that war had officially started. The phrase, “ shot heard around the world”

originated from this mini battle. To this day, nobody still knows for sure who fired the first shot.

Then, the British headed towards their next stop, Concord. Minutemen were already in Concord ready for the British

militia arrival. The minutemen continued to grow, which ultimately made the colonist forces much stronger. As the

colonists forces grew, the British military decided to retreat. Nearly 250 British soldiers were wounded or killed

during the Battle of Lexington and Concord.

Lexington and ConcordApril 1775

This battle was sparked byGeneral Thomas Cage, who learned that several Patriots

were hiding and storing war supplies in Concord, Massachusetts. General Cage sent soldiers off to find the

supplies, and he also ordered them to destroy all of it once they found it. A Patriot known as, Dr. Warren, found out about the plan and warned other Patriots. Paul Revere and William Dawes were instructed to race around the town shouting, “ The Regulars are coming!” Even though

Paul Revere is known as the most famous rider, both men were very courageous by warning the colonists about the

upcoming British arrival.

The minutemen, which were men ready in a short period of time, were able to prepare themselves for this attack by

waiting for the British in Lexington. Once the British arrived early in the morning, they demanded the

minutemen leave. The minutemen refused to move. Then, a shot went off, which indicated that war had officially started. The phrase, “ shot heard around the world”

originated from this mini battle. To this day, nobody still knows for sure who fired the first shot.

Then, the British headed towards their next stop, Concord. Minutemen were already in Concord ready for the British

militia arrival. The minutemen continued to grow, which ultimately made the colonist forces much stronger. As the

colonists forces grew, the British military decided to retreat. Nearly 250 British soldiers were wounded or killed

during the Battle of Lexington and Concord.

Lexington and ConcordApril 1775

The Battle of TrentonDecember 1776

After losing a few battles, George Washington thought a sneak attack is what the colonists needed to do in order to

be successful. Washington decided the troops would surprise a British troop in Trenton, New Jersey. The huge surprise was this battle took place on Christmas evening,

which was a time when the British weren’t expecting to be attacked. This is why the attack was so successful- nobody

was expecting Washington’s army.

The weather during this attack was extremely frigid. There was snow, ice, heavy wind, and Washington’s army was freezing. The troops even had to cross the Delaware by boats, which made the colonists even cooler. Once the

colonists arrived in Trenton, the Hessians soon surrendered. The Hessians were a group of soldiers from

Germany who were helping the British army.

George Washington and his troops ended up capturing nearly 1,000 Hessians. Therefore, this battle became a

victory for the colonists! People were soon able to tell the Patriots were ready and willing to fight for their freedom!

The Battle of TrentonDecember 1776

After losing a few battles, George Washington thought a sneak attack is what the colonists needed to do in order to

be successful. Washington decided the troops would surprise a British troop in Trenton, New Jersey. The huge surprise was this battle took place on Christmas evening,

which was a time when the British weren’t expecting to be attacked. This is why the attack was so successful- nobody

was expecting Washington’s army.

The weather during this attack was extremely frigid. There was snow, ice, heavy wind, and Washington’s army was freezing. The troops even had to cross the Delaware by boats, which made the colonists even cooler. Once the

colonists arrived in Trenton, the Hessians soon surrendered. The Hessians were a group of soldiers from

Germany who were helping the British army.

George Washington and his troops ended up capturing nearly 1,000 Hessians. Therefore, this battle became a

victory for the colonists! People were soon able to tell the Patriots were ready and willing to fight for their freedom!

Battle of SaratogaSeptember 1777

The Battle of Saratoga is known as the turning point of the Revolutionary War. British General John Burgoyne thought he had the perfect strategy to help the British lead the war. General Burgoyne planned to occupy New York, and he secretly tried to notify a few other British generals

about his genius plan. Burgoyne didn't think anything could go wrong.

Turns out one of the British leaders went to the wrong place Burgoyne had planned! Burgoyne’s plan ended up not

being successful and the colonist ended up making Burgoyne and his 5,000 troops surrender. Other countries

were now interested in helping the colonists fight the British because the colonists appeared successful.

Benjamin Franklin was actually able to convince France to help aid us with the war. Therefore, France sent money, an

army, and a navy to help us win the war!

Battle of SaratogaSeptember 1777

The Battle of Saratoga is known as the turning point of the Revolutionary War. British General John Burgoyne thought he had the perfect strategy to help the British lead the war. General Burgoyne planned to occupy New York, and he secretly tried to notify a few other British generals

about his genius plan. Burgoyne didn't think anything could go wrong.

Turns out one of the British leaders went to the wrong place Burgoyne had planned! Burgoyne’s plan ended up not

being successful and the colonist ended up making Burgoyne and his 5,000 troops surrender. Other countries

were now interested in helping the colonists fight the British because the colonists appeared successful.

Benjamin Franklin was actually able to convince France to help aid us with the war. Therefore, France sent money, an

army, and a navy to help us win the war!

Battle of YorktownOctober 1781

The Battle of Yorktown is extremely memorable to American colonists. This was the last major battle fought

before the colonists gained their freedom. General Cornwallis led the British army at this battle. Americans

and their new partners, the French, decided to constantly fire their weapons towards Cornwallis and all of his troops

at Yorktown. The newly acquired French navy even blocked the harbor, so Cornwallis could not be rescued by water. Cornwallis was trapped and the only thing left to do

would be to surrender to the American colonists.

The British army gave up and surrendered at Yorktown. Nearly 8,000 British troops stepped down from the war as the American colonists proved to be more superior. The British could no longer control the American colonist. The British were starting to think about the next step, which

would be the Treaty of Paris.

The Treaty of Paris was the document that officially ended the American Revolution. This important document

recognized that the American colonists were now free from British control.

Battle of YorktownOctober 1781

The Battle of Yorktown is extremely memorable to American colonists. This was the last major battle fought

before the colonists gained their freedom. General Cornwallis led the British army at this battle. Americans

and their new partners, the French, decided to constantly fire their weapons towards Cornwallis and all of his troops

at Yorktown. The newly acquired French navy even blocked the harbor, so Cornwallis could not be rescued by water. Cornwallis was trapped and the only thing left to do

would be to surrender to the American colonists.

The British army gave up and surrendered at Yorktown. Nearly 8,000 British troops stepped down from the war as the American colonists proved to be more superior. The British could no longer control the American colonist. The British were starting to think about the next step, which

would be the Treaty of Paris.

The Treaty of Paris was the document that officially ended the American Revolution. This important document

recognized that the American colonists were now free from British control.

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Battles

Glue this fold-it in your notebook or a piece of paper. Then, summarize the battle cards you read.

Battle Comprehension Questions

Lexington and Concord

1. Why did the Battle of Lexington and Concord start?

2. How would you describe minutemen?

3. Who fired the first shot?

Battle of Trenton

1. Why did the Battle of Trenton take place Christmas evening?

2. Describe the weather conditions during this battle.

3. What did George Washington and his army end up doing?

Answer the following questions using complete sentences.

Battle Comprehension Questions

Battle of Yorktown

1. Why is the Battle of Yorktown considered to be an important battle?

2. In your own words, describe what happened to the British army.

3. Why was the Treaty of Paris so important to the colonists?

Battle of Saratoga

3. What did Benjamin Franklin accomplish?

2. What happened to the British plans?

1. This battle was known as what?

Battle Comprehension Questions-KEY

Lexington and Concord

1. Why did the Battle of Lexington and Concord start?

2. How would you describe minutemen?

3. Who fired the first shot?

Battle of Trenton

1. Why did the Battle of Trenton take place Christmas evening?

2. Describe the weather conditions during this battle.

3. What did George Washington and his army end up doing?

Answer the following questions using complete sentences.

The British were after the war supplies the colonists were hiding. The colonist found out and prepared for battle.

These were men ready for battle within a very short period of time.

Nobody knows who fired the first shot.

George Washington wanted to surprise the Hessians, which is why the battle took place at such an unpredictable time.

During the Battle of Trenton it was extremely cold.

George Washington and his army ended up capturing over 1,000 Hessians, which became a colonist victory.

Battle Comprehension Questions

Battle of Yorktown

1. Why is the Battle of Yorktown considered to be an important battle?

2. In your own words, describe what happened to the British army.

3. Why was the Treaty of Paris so important to the colonists?

Battle of Saratoga

3. What did Benjamin Franklin accomplish?

2. What happened to the British plans?

1. This battle was known as what?The Battle of Saratoga was known as the turning point of the Revolutionary War.

The British plans did not work out, instead the British ended up making a mistake.

Benjamin Franklin was able to convince France to help us with the war against the British.

The Battle of Yorktown was the last major battle fought before the colonists gained their freedom.

The British army became trapped once the French blocked the harbor, and the colonists and French consistently fired their weapons towards the British. .

The Treaty of Paris was the document that expressed the colonists were now free from British control.

Vocabulary

word definition visual

Look for words that you don’t know while you read. Once you find a word; write the word, look up the definition, and create a visual to help you remember the meaning.

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