📖

Choosing Sides: Patriots and Loyalists

Birth of a Nation: Road to Independence

Day 65of 180
Week 13of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand that people can have different views about the same situation

2

Learn about Patriots and Loyalists during the American Revolution

3

Recognize that respecting different opinions is important

📖 Scripture Connection

Proverbs 15:1

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.”

— Proverbs 15:1 (WEB)

Shows how people can disagree respectfully

📦 Materials Needed

  • Blue and red paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue sticks
  • Large poster board
  • Colored markers
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather children and ask them about times when friends might disagree. Explain that during the American Revolution, people in the colonies had different opinions about independence.

💭 Review Question: Have you ever disagreed with a friend about something?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explain the difference between Patriots (who wanted independence) and Loyalists (who wanted to stay with Britain). Use simple language and compare it to how friends might have different ideas.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Patriots believed they should be free from British rule
  • Loyalists wanted to remain part of Britain
  • Both groups had reasons for their beliefs
  • Disagreeing doesn't mean people can't be kind to each other
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Why might someone want to stay with Britain?
  • How can we be kind to people who think differently?
  • What does it mean to respect others' opinions?
3Activity: Patriots and Loyalists Poster (7 min)
hands-on craft

Create a class poster showing different perspectives

📝 Instructions:
  1. Divide poster board into two sides
  2. Use blue paper for Patriots, red for Loyalists
  3. Draw pictures representing each group's perspective
  4. Write kind words about understanding different views
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Teacher helps with drawing and writing

Challenge: Students write more detailed descriptions

4Closing (3 min)

Remind children that it's okay to have different opinions, but we should always be kind and respectful.

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did Patriots want?
  • What did Loyalists want?
  • How can we be kind to people who think differently?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, help us to be kind and understand others, even when we disagree. Amen.

Coming up: Next week, we'll learn more about how the colonies fought for their freedom!

💎 Memory Verse

Proverbs 15:1

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.”

— Proverbs 15:1 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Whisper the verse and have children repeat

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

During the American Revolution, colonists were divided about independence from Britain

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use simple language
  • Emphasize respect for different opinions
  • Connect historical disagreement to everyday experiences
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find it hard to understand why people would disagree

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Understanding that people can have different views respectfully

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Draw a family tree showing a family with both Patriots and Loyalists
  • Read a children's book about the American Revolution
  • Act out a conversation between a Patriot and a Loyalist

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 66 →Back to History & Social Studies