Weeks 10-18 • Focus: European Encounters, Colonial Life, and the American Revolution
This quarter plunges students into the turbulent and transformative period of New York's history from the first European encounters through the American Revolution. Students will analyze the complex interactions between Native Americans and Europeans, explore daily life in a Dutch and then British colony, and understand New York's pivotal role as a battleground for both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. The science theme of energy transfer provides a compelling lens for understanding the technology of the era, from the physics of a sailing ship to the energy released by a cannon.
Academic Skills:
Content Knowledge:
Exploring the Dutch and English colonial periods in New York
The New Amsterdam Trail
by New York Historical Society
If You Lived in Colonial Times
by Ann McGovern
The Matchlock Gun
by Walter D. Edmonds
Introduction to European exploration of New York. Study Henry Hudson's voyage and the establishment of New Amsterdam. Locate the Hudson River and New York Harbor on a map. 4.3a
Read excerpts from "The New Amsterdam Trail." Analyze European vs. Native American perspectives on the land purchase of Manhattan Island. 4.R.6
Begin CKSci Unit: Energy Transfer and Transformation. Introduce potential and kinetic energy through the example of sailing ships (wind energy). 4-PS3-1
Introduce two-digit by two-digit multiplication using the area model. Create problems based on colonial trade (e.g., "If one ship brought 24 barrels and each barrel contained 36 items, how many items in total?"). NY-4.NBT.5
Learn about daily life in New Amsterdam. Study the fort, the government under Peter Stuyvesant, and the diversity of the settlement. Create a map of New Amsterdam. 4.3a
Analyze a primary source letter from a Dutch colonist describing life in New Amsterdam. Extract key details about daily life and challenges. 4.RI.7
Practice two-digit multiplication with the standard algorithm. Create and solve multi-step word problems about colonial trade and commerce. NY-4.OA.3
Design a simple waterwheel to demonstrate energy transfer from flowing water to mechanical energy (connect to colonial mills). 4-PS3-4
Write a journal entry from the perspective of a child in New Amsterdam. Include details about daily life, food, housing, and activities based on historical research.
Study the transition from Dutch to English rule in 1664. Compare maps of New Amsterdam and New York. Discuss how place names changed and what remained the same. Examine King Charles II's land grant to his brother, the Duke of York. 4.3b
Read excerpts from "If You Lived in Colonial Times." Compare life before and after the English takeover using a Venn diagram.
Continue practicing two-digit multiplication with increasingly complex problems. Introduce the concept of estimation to check the reasonableness of answers. NY-4.NBT.5
Learn about collisions and energy transfer. Conduct a simple experiment with marbles to demonstrate how energy is transferred during collisions. 4-PS3-3
Virtual field trip to Colonial Williamsburg website to explore colonial crafts and trades. Compare colonial occupations to modern jobs.
Introduce the French and Indian War (Seven Years' War). Examine how France and England competed for control of North America, with a focus on battles fought in New York such as Fort Ticonderoga. 4.3c
Read "The Matchlock Gun," a historical fiction set during the French and Indian War in New York. Analyze the historical context and character perspectives. 4.R.6
Solve multi-step word problems involving the four operations. Create war strategy problems involving supplies, troop movements, and fortifications. NY-4.OA.3
Study how kinetic energy is influenced by mass and speed. Connect to the mechanics of early firearms and cannons used during the French and Indian War. 4-PS3-1
Write an informative paragraph about the outcomes of the French and Indian War and how it changed the map of colonial America. 4.W.2
Historical Resources:
Science Materials:
Exploring New York's critical role as a battleground during the American Revolution
George Washington's Socks
by Elvira Woodruff
The American Revolution
Core Knowledge History and Geography
If You Lived at the Time of the American Revolution
by Kay Moore
Examine the causes of the American Revolution with a focus on the Stamp Act, Tea Act, and Intolerable Acts. Create a timeline of events leading to the Revolution. 4.3d
Begin reading "George Washington's Socks." Analyze the historical context and characters' perspectives. 4.R.6
Introduce long division with single-digit divisors. Connect to real-world scenarios like distributing supplies among colonial militia units. NY-4.NBT.6
Study energy conversion processes. Investigate how chemical energy in gunpowder converts to heat, light, and kinetic energy when fired. 4-PS3-4
Learn about Patriots vs. Loyalists in New York. Discuss why New York had many Loyalists and how this affected the Revolutionary War in the region. 4.3d
Continue reading "George Washington's Socks." Discuss how the novel portrays the hardships of soldiers during the Revolutionary War.
Practice long division problems with larger dividends. Use estimation to check the reasonableness of answers. NY-4.NBT.6
Write a persuasive piece from either a Patriot or Loyalist perspective, arguing for their position on independence. 4.W.1
Examine primary sources related to the American Revolution, including excerpts from the Declaration of Independence and Thomas Paine's "Common Sense."
Study the capture of Fort Ticonderoga in 1775 and the significance of the cannons transported to Boston. Use maps to trace the movements of Continental and British armies in New York. 4.3d
Practice long division with remainders. Create word problems such as: "If General Washington needs to transport 1,245 soldiers across a river in boats that hold 9 soldiers each, how many boats will he need?" This requires interpreting the remainder. NY-4.OA.3
Continue exploring energy transfer and transformation. Design a simple model that converts one form of energy to another (such as a pinwheel that converts wind to motion). 4-PS3-4
Read and analyze primary source accounts from the Battle of Saratoga. Determine the main idea and key details from these historical texts. 4.R.2
Virtual field trip to Fort Ticonderoga's digital resources. Explore artifacts and stories from the Revolutionary period.
Focus on the Battle of Saratoga as the "turning point" of the Revolutionary War. Study how this victory in New York led to French support for the American cause. 4.3d
Complete "George Washington's Socks." Discuss the central themes of the book, such as courage, sacrifice, and the struggle for freedom. 4.R.2
Continue practicing long division with remainders. Apply skills to solving more complex multi-step word problems about Revolutionary War logistics. NY-4.NBT.6
Discuss how knowledge of energy helped the Continental Army (e.g., understanding how to use waterways for transportation or wind for sailing ships). 4-PS3-4
Write a summary of key events in the American Revolution in New York, focusing on the importance of the Battle of Saratoga. 4.W.2
Multimedia:
Lesson Materials:
Exploring the formation of state and federal governments after the Revolution
The United States Constitution
Core Knowledge History and Geography
Shh! We're Writing the Constitution
by Jean Fritz
Learn about the first New York State Constitution (1777) and how it established the state government. Compare it to colonial government under British rule. 4.4a
Analyze the structure of the NYS Constitution. Identify how the text is organized (articles, sections) and the purpose of each part. 4.RI.5
Review multiplication and division skills through practice with word problems related to state government (e.g., budgeting, representation). NY-4.NBT.5, NY-4.NBT.6
Begin exploring plant and animal structures. Examine how internal and external structures support survival, growth, and reproduction. 4-LS1-1
Create a diagram showing the three branches of New York State government. Discuss how this structure mirrors the federal government design.
Study the creation of the U.S. Constitution. Learn about the Constitutional Convention, the compromise between large and small states, and the concept of federalism. 4.4a
Read "Shh! We're Writing the Constitution." Discuss the challenges faced by the Founders and the compromises they made.
Create and solve problems related to representation in Congress. For example: "If there were 65 representatives in the first House of Representatives for 3.9 million people, about how many people did each representative serve?" NY-4.NBT.6
Continue studying plant and animal structures. Make connections between the structure of governments (with specialized parts that work together) and the structures of living things. 4-LS1-1
Write an informative piece comparing and contrasting the New York State government and the federal government. Focus on the similarities in structure and differences in powers. 4.W.2
Government Resources:
Science Materials:
Consolidating learning and preparing mid-year assessments
This week is dedicated to reviewing the second quarter content, consolidating skills, and preparing the mid-year assessment for your school district reporting requirements.
Play review games focusing on two-digit multiplication and long division with remainders. Create a "Revolutionary Math" scavenger hunt with problems hidden around the house.
Create a timeline of New York from Dutch settlement through the Constitutional Convention. Review key events, battles, and developments studied this quarter.
Review energy transfer concepts. Create a presentation demonstrating how energy transfers and transforms in various historical and modern contexts.
Review primary source analysis skills. Practice identifying point of view, main idea, and supporting details in historical documents.
Compile best work samples from Quarter 2 for your portfolio. Create a "Revolutionary Report Card" highlighting achievements and progress in each subject area.
Check for progress in these areas:
Academic Skills:
Content Knowledge:
Complete and submit your second quarterly report, including: