As holidays come and pass, and new years commence, the freedoms we cherish today should be steadfastly remembered and honored—as should those who sacrificed to allow us such traditions.
  Resolve to keep history a part of your child’s life, while supporting literacy as well! In reading the stories of historic leaders, we immortalize their accomplishments.

This December marks the anniversaries of
several landmark events in our nation’s
liberation, with leaders such as Young Patriots
John Hancock, signer of the Declaration of
Independence, and Alexander Hamilton, founder
of the Federalist Papers.

Left: The hurricane. Illustration from Alexander Hamilton: Young Statesman

In honor of the upcoming release of the newest addition to the Young Patriots Series, here is a classroom activity from the Alexander Hamilton, Young Statesman Teacher’s Guide:

Help students understand the dependence on and relationship between England and the colonists. Discuss conflicts between the two in the years leading up to the Declaration of Independence. Encourage students to think about such things as the concept of “taxation without representation” ad Britain’s trade restrictions. Ask students why they think the colonists didn’t trust the British, and vice-versa. Students may want to hold a class debate, with one side representing the views of the British and the other side, the views of the colonists.

Find the complete Teacher’s Guide and Webquest here.