Road to the Revolution

One of my favorite things to teach in the fifth grade curriculum is the Revolutionary War, one of my least favorite ways to teach is to read out of a textbook and answer questions.  I understand that it sometimes has to be done, but I try to keep that kind of teaching to a minimum. 

It was time to learn about the causes of the revolution.  I think that is almost as important as the actual war itself, which is why it boggles my mind why our textbook puts them all in one chapter (about 3 pages).  I decided to spin an idea I saw on Pinterest here.  I had them sit in groups on the floor around a piece of butcher paper.  They put a heading on the paper and divided it up into 6 sections.  I then read and discussed the various causes while they all wrote notes (they had their books to use if I was going too fast).  They were each to write their own notes, even if someone else was writing the same thing.  The end result was a bunch of notes on each cause of the war.  They then had time to decorate their posters with pictures.  I was able to get through all the main causes and discuss them with them and they really learned a lot.  It took about an hour but well worth it.  I plan on using their posters to write a few questions to use as a quiz to check their learning. The next step will be for them to make their own individual timelines.