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History Lessons By Teachers

Paul Revere's Engraving of The Boston Massacre

Created by Chantalle Sole

Grade Level(s): upper elementary (4 - 6)
Historical Era(s): New Nation 1750 - 1800
Content Area(s): Art, US History


front
Engraving "The Bloody Massacre perpetrated on King Street, Boston on March 5th, 1770"

Summary and Objective

Students will analyze the people, objects and setting in Paul Revere's engraving of the Boston Massacre. They will understand that the engraving was not an accurate portayal of the incident and that the engraving may have influenced more people to join the Patriots' views against the British.

Teaching Plan

Step 1. Students will read about and discuss the Boston Massacre.

Step 2. Students will analyze Paul Revere's engraving of the Boston Massacre in groups of two. They will answer the following questions. What time of day does the event take place? How do you know? In what season does it appear the event took place? How are the British standing? What are the colonists doing? What color is the man lying on the ground? Why do you think there is a dog in the picture? Look at the name of the building on the right. That building did not exist. Why do you think Paul Revere chose to include it in his engraving?

Step 3. Students will visit the websites linked to the end of this lesson to answer the following questions. What do you think Paul Revere was trying to accomplish when he printed ths picture? Do you agree or disagree with the engraving? Why? Was this an accident or a planned event? How do you know? Use specific examples.

Step 4. Students will reflect and view the engraving again and look for inaccuracies.

Step 5. Students will visit the History Wiz website and read the errors that are in Paul Revere's engraving.

Step 6. Students will gather and discuss the inaccuracies and how they may have influenced some of the colonsists' views.

Step 7. Students will understand that the Boston Massacre was a major event leading to the American Revolution.

Web Site: Archiving Early America: Boston Massacre
    http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/winter96/massacre.html

Web Site: History Wiz: The Boston Massacre
    http://www.historywiz.org/bostonmassacre.htm



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