Interpreting the Battle: Who Fired the First Shot?
Students will study a variety of records of the Battle on Lexington Green, some primary and some secondary sources. For example, they will read both American and English newspaper accounts from the time, and examine depositions (sworn statements) made by both Colonial and British eyewitnesses. Using a town meeting type of format, including some role-playing, they will discuss and determine whether the first shot of the American Revolution was by the Lexington Colonials or the British Redcoats and learn why this question was so important at the time. They will also discuss which types of sources are the most reliable and why. Create a Biography Students will study edited excerpts from a variety of document sources on several different Colonials living in Lexington at the time of the Revolution (for instance vital records, probate inventories, bills for services rendered etc.). Some of these residents were men and some women. Some were wealthy and some poor. Students will discuss what th
