Literature Unit: The Fighting Ground

No Taxation without Representation Lesson Plan: Causes of the Revolutionary War

In this lesson plan, students will identify the new laws and policies imposed under King George IIIs New
Colonial Policy, which included taxation without representation. Students will describe reasons for growing
tensions between colonists and England, and evaluate causes for the colonists movement towards the
Revolutionary War.

Lesson Plan Common Core State Standards Alignments

Students will:
1. Identify new laws and policies under King George III's "New Colonial Policy"
2. Describe reasons for growing tensions between colonists and England
3. Evaluate causes for the colonists movement to the Revolutionary War

Materials:
Antique paper
Skittles
Plastic Cups
Name tags
o 1 King
o 3 Tax Collectors
o 2 British Soldiers
o Merchants, Craftsmen, Farmers (divided evenly for the rest of the class)
o Red nametags for the Brits

Vocabulary:
Stamp Act: March 22, 1765, Quartering Act: May 15, 1765, Boston Massacre: March 5, 1770, Tea Act: May
10, 1773, Boston Tea Party: December 16, 1773, The Intolerable Acts: 1774

Preparation:
As students enter the class have them select their role from a bowl. Roles will eventually include: 1 King,
3 Tax collectors, 2 British Soldiers, 3 Rebellious Colonists (not given a label)
-everyone else: merchants, craftsmen, farmers
-pay: merchants (7), craftsmen (5), farmers (3)
-tax collectors do not start off with any skittles

Today, we will be doing something a little bit different to get ourselves into the mindset of the book we
will be reading. I just handed you a role at random. I ask that for the sake of this activity, you act in your
role for the next 40 minutes. The roles include, 1 king please stand up and sit on your throne; 3 tax
collectors come on up here, so everyone else can see you; 2 British soldiers identified by the red on
their nametags you guys come on up here too, you will be monitoring the class to ensure that
everything goes smoothly; and various merchants, craftsmen and farmers. We are coming around to pay
you depending on your occupation, while you get into the mindset of your character and additionally,
please come up and take as many pieces of paper as you need, for we will be journaling throughout this
time.

**If students ask how much tax collectors are getting, we will say, Talk to the king.

Stevie and Lindsey will pay students every time they get paid. They will confer with king on when to
collect taxes and king will relay the message to tax collectors.

Lesson Procedure:
1. Intro: Britain has found itself in debt from The French and Indian War. In an attempt to regain the
necessary funds, we will be implementing the New Colonial Policy. I understand that you have
traveled far to get where you are here in NEW England, but as you are under my rule you, will be
required to follow the new laws set forth. This is for the bettering of yourselves and your home and I
know you will be happy to comply. I will have our trusted tax collectors come by to collect a tax from
each of you.
a. Lights go off and the teacher says: Please label this first entry
b. Take two minutes to jot down your initial thoughts and feelings while we come around to pay
you
2. Day 1: Hear ye, hear ye! The date is March 22nd, 1765 and an act of Parliament has been brought
forth to impose a tax known as the Stamp Act. From here on out those of you with paper materials in
your possession will be taxed further. For every piece of paper on your desk, the tax collectors will
collect one skittle to then bring back to the King for partitioning.
. Tax collectors collect designated amounts
a. The skittles are then pooled together. The King decides how much to give his tax collectors and how
much to keep for himself.
b. Lights go off and the teacher says: Please label this second entry
c. Take two minutes to jot down your thoughts and feelings, while we come around to pay you
3. Day 2: Hear ye, hear ye! The date is May 15th 1765 and an act of Parliament has been brought forth,
known as the Quartering Act. British soldiers will need to be housed and financially supported by the
colonies *whispers* (thats you guys) *chuckles*. An additional one skittle tax will be imposed for
those of you who are quartering British soldiers. As the tax collectors come around honoring the
Stamp Act, that says that for every piece of paper on your desk the tax collectors will collect one
skittle, please be sure to pay the tax for the soldier you are quartering, if you are quartering one.
. Tax collectors collect designated amounts
a. Whisper to one kid to refuse to pay
b. The skittles are then pooled together. The King decides how much to give his tax collectors and how
much to keep for himself.
c. Lights go off and the teacher says: Please label this third entry
d. Take two minutes to jot down your thoughts and feelings, while we come around to pay you for your
work
4. Day 3: Hear ye, hear ye! The date is March 5th, 1770. Five citizens have been killed and six others
injured after provoking the British soldiers stationed in that area. This is known throughout the
colonies as the Boston Massacre. Let this serve as a reminder that the sake of the citizens as a whole,
control your anger. Tax collectors will come around to collect taxes in relation to the Stamp Act as
well as the Quartering Act.
. Play sounds of shots being fired
a. Tax collectors collect designated amounts
b. Whisper to one more kid to refuse to pay
 c. Convince a tax collector that they deserve more and to steal off the top. Report the stolen skittles to
the King and recommend a removal and re-election of a new tax collector.
d. The skittles are then pooled together. The King decides how much to give his tax collectors and how
much to keep for himself.
e. Lights go off and the teacher says: Please label this fourth entry
f. Take two minutes to jot down your thoughts and feelings, while we come around to pay you for your
work
5. Day 4: Hear ye, hear ye! The date is May 10th, 1773 and an act of Parliament has been brought forth
to impose a tax known as the Tea Act. From here on out those of you with water bottles in your
possession will be taxed further. For every water bottle on your individual desk, the tax collectors will
collect two skittles to then bring back to the King for partitioning. As the tax collectors come around
honoring the Stamp Act and the Quartering Act please be sure to pay the tax for your water bottle.
. Tax collectors collect designated amounts
a. Whisper to one more kid to refuse to pay
b. The skittles are then pooled together. The King decides how much to give his tax collectors and how
much to keep for himself.
c. Lights go off and the teacher says: Please label this fifth entry
d. Take two minutes to jot down your thoughts and feelings, while we come around to pay you for your
work
6. Day 5: Hear ye, hear ye! A despicable act of treason has been committed within the Massachusetts
colony on this day of December 16th, 1773. Three boats of imported tea have had their products
overthrown and ruined in order to avoid paying the importing tax. This rebellion in the Massachusetts
colony is unacceptable. In response to the horrible actions seen with the Boston Tea Party, three new
acts, known as the Intolerable Acts, will be enforced for the colony of Massachusetts to serve as a
reminder and lesson. As punishment the citizens of the Massachusetts colony will be suspended from
their jobs, hereby eliminating their pay. As the tax collectors come around they will continue to honor
the Stamp Act, the Quartering Act and the Tea Act.
. Tax collectors collect designated amounts
a. Whisper to one more kid to refuse to pay
i. There should be five rebellious kids total (one from each group)
b. The skittles are then pooled together. The King decides how much to give his tax collectors and how
much to keep for himself.
c. Lights go off and the teacher says: Please label this sixth entry
d. Take two minutes to jot down your thoughts and feelings
7. Wrap Up: What are you thinking? How are you feeling? What do you think happened next? (Full
group discussion)
8. The American Revolutionary War broke out in April 1775 and this is where we find ourselves in the
book we are starting. Turn to the next page in your composition notebook and listen up for any
connections you make with what we are reading. When youve made a connection, jot down your
thoughts on this new page, Ill be reading and responding to them later.

Extension Activity:
Begin reading, The Fighting Ground up to page 8 (9:58-10:15). How does the character feel and what text
evidence do you have to show that?

Jobs:

Lindseys Class King: DVante; Tax: Shayla, Eli, Noah; British soldiers: Trevor (quartered by Daniel),
Yesenia (quartered by Mischa); Rebellious: Jalie, Bodhi, Silas, Jaden
Stevies Class King: Amare; Tax: Brendan, Julian, Olivia; British soldiers: Caitlin (quartered by Kyle),
Chloe (quartered by Allison); Rebellious: Elijah, Max, Manuel, Erika

Date: 11/7
Literature Unit
Unit: American Revolution
Teachers: Lindsey and Stevie
Students: Mr. Oglesbys Homeroom and Mrs. Nalls Homeroom

Reflecting Into Practice:

TEKS:
5.1(A)-Apply mathematics to problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace
5.1(B)-Use a problem-solving model that incorporates analyzing given information, formulating
a plan or strategy, determining a solution, justifying the solution, and evaluating the problem-
solving process and the reasonableness of the solution
5.1(G)-Display, explain, and justify mathematical ideas and arguments using precise
mathematical language in written or oral communication.
5.3(B)-Multiply with fluency a three-digit [two digit] number by a two-digit number using the
standard algorithm.
Component Description Reflectin Reflectin
g In g In
Practice Practice
(Lindsey (Stevie)
)
Activity/Laun Intro: Britain has found itself in debt from The French and
ch Indian War. In an attempt to regain the necessary funds, we will
be implementing the New Colonial Policy. I understand that you
have traveled far to get where you are here in NEW England,
but as you are under my rule you, will be required to follow the
new laws set forth. This is for the bettering of yourselves and
your home and I know you will be happy to comply. I will have
our trusted tax collectors come by to collect a tax from each of
you.

a. Lights go off and the teacher says: Please label this first
entry
b. Take two minutes to jot down your initial thoughts and
feelings while we come around to pay you

Day 1: Hear ye, hear ye! The date is March 22nd, 1765 and an
act of Parliament has been brought forth to impose a tax known
as the Stamp Act. From here on out those of you with paper
materials in your possession will be taxed further. For every
piece of paper on your desk, the tax collectors will collect one
skittle to then bring back to the King for partitioning.

c. Tax collectors collect designated amounts

d. The skittles are then pooled together. The King decides
how much to give his tax collectors and how much to keep for
himself.
e. Lights go off and the teacher says: Please label this
second entry
f. Take two minutes to jot down your thoughts and
feelings, while we come around to pay you

Day 2: Hear ye, hear ye! The date is May 15th 1765 and an act
of Parliament has been brought forth, known as the Quartering
Act. British soldiers will need to be housed and financially
supported by the colonies *whispers* (thats you guys)
*chuckles*. An additional one skittle tax will be imposed for
those of you who are quartering British soldiers. As the tax
collectors come around honoring the Stamp Act, that says that
for every piece of paper on your desk the tax collectors will
collect one skittle, please be sure to pay the tax for the soldier
you are quartering, if you are quartering one.

g. Tax collectors collect designated amounts

h. Whisper to one kid to refuse to pay
i. The skittles are then pooled together. The King decides
how much to give his tax collectors and how much to keep for
himself.
j. Lights go off and the teacher says: Please label this
third entry
k. Take two minutes to jot down your thoughts and
feelings, while we come around to pay you for your work

Day 3: Hear ye, hear ye! The date is March 5th, 1770. Five
citizens have been killed and six others injured after provoking
the British soldiers stationed in that area. This is known
throughout the colonies as the Boston Massacre. Let this serve
as a reminder that the sake of the citizens as a whole, control
your anger. Tax collectors will come around to collect taxes in
relation to the Stamp Act as well as the Quartering Act.

l. Play sounds of shots being fired

m. Tax collectors collect designated amounts
n. Whisper to one more kid to refuse to pay
o. Convince a tax collector that they deserve more and to
steal off the top. Report the stolen skittles to the King and
recommend a removal and re-election of a new tax collector.
p. The skittles are then pooled together. The King decides
how much to give his tax collectors and how much to keep for
himself.
q. Lights go off and the teacher says: Please label this
 fourth entry
r. Take two minutes to jot down your thoughts and
feelings, while we come around to pay you for your work

Day 4: Hear ye, hear ye! The date is May 10th, 1773 and an act
of Parliament has been brought forth to impose a tax known as
the Tea Act. From here on out those of you with water bottles in
your possession will be taxed further. For every water bottle on
your individual desk, the tax collectors will collect two skittles
to then bring back to the King for partitioning. As the tax
collectors come around honoring the Stamp Act and the
Quartering Act please be sure to pay the tax for your water
bottle.

s. Tax collectors collect designated amounts

t. Whisper to one more kid to refuse to pay
u. The skittles are then pooled together. The King decides
how much to give his tax collectors and how much to keep for
himself.
v. Lights go off and the teacher says: Please label this fifth
entry
w. Take two minutes to jot down your thoughts and
feelings, while we come around to pay you for your work

Day 5: Hear ye, hear ye! A despicable act of treason has been
committed within the Massachusetts colony on this day of
December 16th, 1773. Three boats of imported tea have had
their products overthrown and ruined in order to avoid paying
the importing tax. This rebellion in the Massachusetts colony is
unacceptable. In response to the horrible actions seen with the
Boston Tea Party, three new acts, known as the Intolerable Acts,
will be enforced for the colony of Massachusetts to serve as a
reminder and lesson. As punishment the citizens of the
Massachusetts colony will be suspended from their jobs, hereby
eliminating their pay. As the tax collectors come around they
will continue to honor the Stamp Act, the Quartering Act and
the Tea Act.

x. Tax collectors collect designated

amounts

y. Whisper to one more kid to refuse to pay

i. There should be five rebellious kids total (one from
each group)
z. The skittles are then pooled together. The King decides
how much to give his tax collectors and how much to keep for
himself.
aa. Lights go off and the teacher says: Please label this
sixth entry
bb. Take two minutes to jot down your thoughts and
 feelings

Wrap Up: What are you thinking? How are you feeling? What
do you think happened next? (Full group discussion)

The American Revolutionary War broke out in April 1775 and

this is where we find ourselves in the book we are starting. Turn
to the next page in your composition notebook and listen up for
any connections you make with what we are reading. When
youve made a connection, jot down your thoughts on this new
page, Ill be reading and responding to them later.

Read Aloud Begin reading, The Fighting Ground up to page 8 (9:58-

10:15). How does the character feel and what text evidence do
you have to show that?

Reflecting on Practice:

While thinking about this lesson, I immediately thought about the enthusiasm in the students- their excitement
about using a simulation, their willingness to write, their desire to know more about the history and find out
what happens next. It was truly eye-opening! Although it took a great deal of time to plan and obtain materials,
it was one-hundred percent worth it and I want to incorporate as much of this type of learning as possible!

Refracting for Practice:

The script was helpful, especially since this lesson was extremely elaborate. I do not think a script is necessary
usually, but with so many different number amounts and set phrases to say, I definitely think it was useful for
this. In the future, with a more elaborate lesson, I may decide to script some of it.