Unit Plan 7 (Grade 8 Social Studies): Patriots, Loyalists, and Perspectives
Compare Patriot, Loyalist, and neutral perspectives across diverse colonial groups, evaluate source bias and credibility, and practice civic discourse through a town-hall style debate and evidence-based written/oral claims.
Focus: Analyze Patriot, Loyalist, and neutral viewpoints across regions, classes, and groups; evaluate bias/credibility in sources; practice civic discourse and roles in a republic.
Grade Level: 8
Subject Area: Social Studies (U.S. History • Civics • Inquiry)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Students investigate how colonists understood and debated the coming of revolution. Using short primary sources (broadsides, pamphlets, petitions, narratives, sermons) and regional snapshots, they compare Patriot, Loyalist, and neutral stances—including voices of Indigenous nations, enslaved/free Black Americans, women, and varied regional groups. Students evaluate perspective, bias, and credibility, then apply civic skills in a town-hall style discussion.
Essential Questions
- Why did some colonists support independence while others stayed loyal—or neutral?
- How do bias, credibility, and corroboration shape our understanding of past debates?
- What are citizens’ roles and responsibilities in arguing public questions—then and now?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Describe and compare Patriot, Loyalist, and neutral perspectives across regions and social groups.
- Evaluate sources for relevance, credibility, bias, and perspective; corroborate across accounts.
- Explain how experiences of Indigenous nations, enslaved/free Black Americans, women, and regional communities informed their positions.
- Participate in civil discourse by preparing claims, questioning respectfully, and proposing actions (petition, boycott, volunteer service).
- Produce a short written/oral claim supported by multiple cited sources.
Standards Alignment — 8th Grade (C3-based custom)
- 8.C3.Hist.3: Describe diverse perspectives/experiences (Indigenous nations, enslaved/free Black Americans, women, immigrants, regional groups).
- 8.C3.Inq.3: Evaluate sources for relevance, credibility, bias, and perspective; corroborate across accounts.
- 8.C3.Civ.3: Analyze roles/responsibilities of citizens in a republic (participation, discourse, petition, jury).
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can identify whose perspective a source represents and explain its bias/credibility.
- I can corroborate across at least two sources to support a claim about Patriot/Loyalist debates.
- I can participate in civil discourse, propose an action, and justify it with evidence.