SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL: MIDDLE SCHOOL (6TH–8TH)
module
Women in the American Revolution
Focusing on the stories of 5 women from the Revolutionary War era, these lessons create opportunities for students in middle grades to discover the character strengths of historical figures while building key skills in literacy and civil discourse. As students dive into this unit, they will learn to recognize the capacity for character not only in these heroines but in themselves.
Lessons
Lesson
Women in the American Revolution: The Story of Elizabeth Freeman
In this lesson, students explore the life of Elizabeth Freeman, an enslaved woman who won her freedom through the legal system during the Revolutionary War. Through close reading and character analysis, they examine how her curiosity and courage helped her challenge injustice while practicing evidence‐based discussion and writing skills.
Lesson
Women in the American Revolution: The Story of Anna Smith Strong
In this lesson, students explore the life of Anna Smith Strong, the only female member of George Washington’s Culper Spy Ring. Through close reading and character analysis, they examine how her courage helped deliver top‐secret information during the Revolutionary War while practicing evidence‐based discussion and writing skills.
Lesson
Women in the American Revolution: The Story of Nanyehi
In this lesson, students explore the life of Nanyehi (Nancy Ward), a Cherokee leader and peacemaker during the American Revolution. Through close reading and character analysis, they examine how her leadership and humanity shaped treaty negotiations while practicing evidence‐based discussion and writing skills.
Lesson
Women in the American Revolution: The Story of Deborah Sampson
In this lesson, students explore the life of Deborah Sampson, who disguised herself as a man to fight in the Revolutionary War. Through close reading and character analysis, they examine how her grit shaped her service to the Patriot cause and later role as one of the nation’s earliest female lecturers while practicing evidence‐based discussion and writing skills.
Lesson
Women in the American Revolution: The Story of Esther de Berdt Reed
In this lesson, students explore the life of Esther de Berdt Reed, who published “The Sentiments of an American Woman” and led a major fundraising effort for American troops during the Revolutionary War. Through close reading and character analysis, they examine how her compassion inspired collective action while practicing evidence‐based discussion and writing skills.
This unit creates opportunities for students in middle grades to discover the character strengths of historical figures while building key skills in literacy and civil discourse. Focusing on five incredible women from the Revolutionary War era, these lessons encourage students to have a growth mindset, develop positive connections to others, and cultivate skills in civil discourse and viewpoint diversity. As students dive into the individual stories of each woman, they will identify character strengths such as curiosity, courage, humanity, grit, and compassion—learning to recognize the capacity for character not only in these heroines but also in themselves.