Projects About The American Revolution

Children's Literature - Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt

Part of Marshall Cavendish Benchmark's "Hands-on History" series for the library market, this book offers hands-on projects that nicely flesh out the dry bones of historical fact. The text highlights the dangerous time in America when the colonies were breaking away from Britain's control. The activities, amply supported by thorough directions and sketches, look fun to make. But it is the short, yet exciting narrative that introduces each activity which really fuels a craving to get busy with paper, paint, and scissors. Before fashioning a liberty flag, for example, readers are told to visualize themselves standing outside their Massachusetts home in 1775, indignant that a British soldier is rifling through their cupboards for hidden weapons and supplies. "They've got no right to search our house!" you mutter to your brother. "Did you hear they chopped down the town's liberty flag?" he whispers back. "I wish I was old enough to be a minuteman!" Additional projects include a mobcap, a tricorn hat, a medical kit, a British flag, a drum, and a copy of the preamble to the Constitution. A map, a glossary, a bibliography, and a metric conversion chart complete the book. Visually appealing with full-color illustrations and photos—and plenty of white space—this book should be a popular addition to the classroom.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-These titles are intended to bring history to life through various projects interspersed with tidbits of historical information and fictional narrative. On the bright side, Spanish West succeeds in doing just that. Unfortunately, American Revolution is much less successful. It is divided into three basic sections: the Loyalists, the Patriots, and the British. While intended to create a context for the projects, the narratives often feel contrived and do little to enhance interest in the projects themselves. In addition, readers are required to look up too many important words in the glossary, which detracts from the flow of the text. For example, the first project involves making a stamp out of foam as an illustration of the Stamp Act, which is referred to in the general text but only defined in the glossary. In addition, the instructions for carving the stamp itself are poorly illustrated, so that a directive to "dig out any lines inside your design with the screwdriver, as shown" becomes confusing. Other projects suffer from similar shortcomings, and there is no explanation as to why the book contains a recipe for stewed pears. By contrast, Spanish West is nicely conceived and well written, with clear illustrations for each project. Historical context is provided throughout, and while the fictional narratives again seem somewhat contrived, there are obvious links to the projects that follow. Activities include a yarn picture, a luminaria, an ojo de Dios (eye of God), and a pinata, as well as recipes and musical instruments. The author's Revolutionary War Days: Discover the Past with Exciting Projects, Games, Activities, and Recipes (Wiley, 2001) is a good alternative to American Revolution.-Teri Markson, Stephen S. Wise Temple Elementary School, Los Angeles Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.